Japan Airlines seat upgrade allows travelers to elevate their journey to new heights. Whether you’re eyeing a more spacious seat, enhanced services, or a touch of luxury, JAL Upgrade options have got you covered.
What is Japan Airlines bid upgrade?
JAL bid upgrade offers a unique chance to bid for an upgrade from Premium Economy Class or Economy Class to a higher class of travel.
If the aircraft includes a Premium Economy cabin, you can choose either Premium Economy Class or Business Class, based on availability. Passengers with Premium Economy Class tickets are eligible for an upgrade to Business Class.
Eligible passengers – This exclusive offer is available for passengers who have purchased an international ticket with a JAL flight number starting with ‘131’. Codeshare agreement flights are not eligible for JAL bid upgrade.
Upgrade options – Passengers holding Economy Class tickets have the chance to upgrade to –
- Premium Economy Class
- Business Class
Please Note – Passengers traveling on a Business/Premium Economy Class are not eligible for Japan Airlines Pet Travel service.
Applicable routes – JAL operated international routes are eligible for this service.
Upgrade order – Japan Airlines upgrade will be confirmed in descending order of bids. In cases where multiple customers bid the same amount, priority will be given based on the following order –
- Ticket reservation class.
- JMB status
- bid execution date and time.
Email source – Passengers who are eligible for the JAL bid upgrade option will receive an email notification from [email protected].
Please note: The number of seats available for upgrades is always limited.
How to request JAL bid upgrade?
All you need to do is –
- Visit the JAL website, and navigate to the ‘Reservation Confirmation’ section.
- If your flight is eligible for bidding, you’ll notice the “Bid Upgrade” button.
- Click on it to begin the application process.
- On the bidding web page, you will find a list of eligible flights from your itinerary.
- If both Premium Economy Class and Business Class are available for bidding, select the class you prefer for the potential upgrade.
- You can submit your Japan Airlines seat upgrade up to 48 hours before your flight’s departure.
- Enter your desired bid amount along with your credit card information in the provided dedicated form.
- In the event of a successful bid, you will receive an email notification at least 24 hours before your departure.
To know the terms and conditions check out the JAL bid upgrade overview.
How to get Japan Airlines upgrade with miles?
Passengers can make the miles upgrade request on the airline’s website as well as over the phone. Reservations are available from 10:00 AM (Japan time) until
- 24 hours prior to departure for reservation made through phone
- 25 hours prior to departure for reservation made online.
Eligible Fare for Japan Airlines upgrade with miles
You can use JAL international upgrade awards for tickets purchased in the following eligible booking classes –
| Upgrade From | Upgrade To | Booking Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class | First Class | J, C, D, I |
| Economy/Premium Economy | Business Class | W, R, Y, B, H, K |
| Economy | Premium Economy Class | Y, B, H, K |
Japan Airlines business class upgrade process using miles
Follow these steps –
- Log in to your JMB account.
- Visit the JAL Mileage Bank top page.
- Select “International Upgrade Awards” in the Popular awards section under “Redeem your miles.”
How many miles to get Japan Airlines upgrade?
The required miles vary with international destinations. Below is the overview of the Japan Airlines seat upgrade with miles for flights to/from North America –
Flight From Los Angeles –
| Departure City | Destination | Class of Service | Required Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Osaka | Premium Economy | 20,000 |
| Los Angeles | Osaka | Business Class | 30,000 |
| Los Angeles | Osaka | First Class | 45000 |
| Los Angeles | San Diego | Premium Economy | 20,000 |
| Los Angeles | San Diego | Business Class | 30,000 |
| Los Angeles | San Diego | First Class | 45,000 |
| Los Angeles | Vancouver | Premium Economy | 20,000 |
| Los Angeles | Vancouver | Business Class | 30,000 |
| Los Angeles | Vancouver | First Class | 45,000 |
Flights from Boston
| Departure City | Destination | Class of Service | Required Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | Tokyo | Premium Economy | 20,000 |
| Boston | Tokyo | Business Class | 30,000 |
| Boston | Tokyo | First Class | 45000 |
| Boston | New York | Premium Economy | 20,000 |
| Boston | New York | Business Class | 30,000 |
| Boston | New York | First Class | 45000 |
| Boston | San Francisco | Premium Economy | 20,000 |
| Boston | San Francisco | Business Class | 30,000 |
| Boston | San Francisco | First Class | 45000 |
| Boston | Seattle | Premium Economy | 20,000 |
| Boston | Seattle | Business Class | 30,000 |
| Boston | Seattle | First Class | 45000 |
Flights from Chicago
| Departure City | Destination | Class of Service | Required Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | Tokyo | Premium Economy | 20,000 |
| Chicago | Tokyo | Business Class | 30,000 |
| Chicago | Tokyo | First Class | 45000 |
| Chicago | New York | Premium Economy | 20,000 |
| Chicago | New York | Business Class | 30,000 |
| Chicago | New York | First Class | 45000 |
| Chicago | San Francisco | Premium Economy | 20,000 |
| Chicago | San Francisco | Business Class | 30,000 |
| Chicago | San Francisco | First Class | 45000 |
| Chicago | Seattle | Premium Economy | 20,000 |
| Chicago | Seattle | Business Class | 30,000 |
| Chicago | Seattle | First Class | 45000 |
Flights from Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
| Departure City | Destination | Class of Service | Required Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Fort Worth | Tokyo | Premium Economy | 20,000 |
| Dallas Fort Worth | Tokyo | Business Class | 30,000 |
| Dallas Fort Worth | Tokyo | First Class | 45000 |
| Dallas Fort Worth | New York | Premium Economy | 20,000 |
| Dallas Fort Worth | New York | Business Class | 30,000 |
| Dallas Fort Worth | New York | First Class | 45000 |
| Dallas Fort Worth | San Francisco | Premium Economy | 20,000 |
| Dallas Fort Worth | San Francisco | Business Class | 30,000 |
| Dallas Fort Worth | San Francisco | First Class | 45000 |
| Dallas Fort Worth | Seattle | Premium Economy | 20,000 |
| Dallas Fort Worth | Seattle | Business Class | 30,000 |
| Dallas Fort Worth | Seattle | First Class | 45000 |
Flights from Los Angeles
| Departure City | Destination | Class of Service | Required Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Tokyo | Premium Economy | 20,000 |
| Los Angeles | Tokyo | Business Class | 30,000 |
| Los Angeles | Tokyo | First Class | 45000 |
| Los Angeles | New York | Premium Economy | 20,000 |
| Los Angeles | New York | Business Class | 30,000 |
| Los Angeles | New York | First Class | 45000 |
| Los Angeles | San Francisco | Premium Economy | 20,000 |
| Los Angeles | San Francisco | Business Class | 30,000 |
| Los Angeles | San Francisco | First Class | 45000 |
| Los Angeles | Seattle | Premium Economy | 20,000 |
| Los Angeles | Seattle | Business Class | 30,000 |
| Los Angeles | Seattle | First Class | 45000 |
Check out the Japan Airlines upgrade with miles for all other international destinations.
How to get Japan Airlines Upgrade at last minute?
Passengers can request a Japan Airlines business class upgrade on the day of departure. The upgrade would be available only in Business or First Class.
Eligible fares for upgrade
These fares include –
- Flex
- Saver
- Special Saver
- Round Trip Saver
- Shareholder’s Flex
- Promotion
- JAL CARD Flex
- Business Flex
- Remote Island Flex
- JAL Domestic Award Ticket
- JAL CARD Navi Discounts
- Go somewhere with miles
- Tour Fare
JAL upgrade timings
To request the Japan Airlines upgrade, you should adhere to the following timings –
| Upgrade Timing | Description |
|---|---|
| Upgrade Opens | 3 hours before your scheduled flight departure. |
| Upgrade Closes | 20 minutes before your scheduled flight departure. |
How to request the Japan Airlines upgrade at last minute?
Follow these steps –
- Go to the JAL Airlines website and click on the ‘’Boarding/check-in’’ button on the homepage.
- You will see the option that reflects ‘’Departure date upgrade’’ on the next page. This option is only available if the passenger’s flight ticket is eligible for the Japan Airlines seat upgrade.
Alternatively, you can request the last-minute upgrade on the mobile app as well.
- Download the JAL mobile app.
- Go to your JAL Mileage Bank section. Tap on the ‘’Departure Date Upgrade’’.
Please Note – passengers can also upgrade last minute at the Japan Airlines check-in self service kiosk.
What to know about Japan Airlines International upgrade awards?
JAL International Upgrade Awards allows you to redeem miles to fly in a higher class of service than your purchased ticket. Here are the key details of this Japan Airlines seat upgrade option –
Eligible routes for upgrade
JAL international upgrade awards are applicable to international flights only. Additionally –
- The program is acceptable only for Japan Airlines upgrade to business class.
- Upgrade awards are not available for Japan domestic routes or on codeshare flights operated by other airlines.
Tickets not eligible for Japan Airlines Seat Upgrade
The following ticket types are not eligible for JAL International Upgrade Awards –
- Individual or group inclusive tour fares
- Special discounted fares
- JMB award tickets
How to get upgraded to Japan Airlines premium economy?
You get the chance to elevate your travel class to “JAL Premium Economy Class” right at the airport.
Here’s what you need to know –
- To request a Japan Airlines premium economy upgrade at the airport, you’ll be required to pay an additional fee.
- Passengers must upgrade at the airport up to 3 hours before scheduled departure for international flight.
Miles cost for JAL upgrade to premium economy
When upgrading to JAL Premium Economy Class at the airport, it’s essential to understand how mileage is calculated. It varies for each route. Below is the overview of miles for upgrade to JAL premium economy for North America and Hawaii
| City | From Japan | To Japan |
|---|---|---|
| New York | JPY 40,000 | USD 350 |
| Chicago | JPY 40,000 | USD 350 |
| Boston | JPY 40,000 | USD 350 |
| Dallas | JPY 40,000 | USD 350 |
| Los Angeles | JPY 40,000 | USD 350 |
| San Francisco | JPY 40,000 | USD 350 |
| Seattle | JPY 40,000 | USD 350 |
| San Diego | JPY 40,000 | USD 350 |
| Vancouver | JPY 40,000 | CAD 490 |
| Honolulu | JPY 40,000 | USD 350 |
Know the Japan Airlines mileage calculation for Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia South Asia, and East Asia.
Japan Airlines upgrade policy is a gateway to a superior travel experience, where passengers can experience added comfort and luxury. So, the next time you board a JAL flight, consider exploring the Japan upgrade policy.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
How many miles to upgrade to Business Class Japan Airlines?
The miles cost required to upgrade to Business Class on Japan Airlines depends on domestic and international travel routes, class of service, and frequent flyer status.
How to upgrade seats on Japan Airlines?
Use the Japan Airlines bid upgrade service to a higher class. If your bid is accepted, your seats will be automatically upgraded. You can also redeem JAL miles to request an upgrade to a higher class.
Can I upgrade my Japan Airlines ticket to get assigned seats?
Seat assignments are usually separate from class upgrades. You can typically select or change your seat assignment when booking your ticket or through the JAL website or app.
Can I upgrade my flight after booking?
Yes, you can often upgrade your flight on Japan Airlines after booking. You can request upgrades through the JAL website or at the airport
What does a business upgrade cost on Japan Airlines?
The Japan Airlines upgrade cost varies with the travel route and the class of service. To obtain the specific cost of a business class upgrade, you should check with Japan Airlines.
Does JAL offer paid upgrades?
Japan Airlines does offer paid upgrades, subject to availability. Passengers can inquire about purchasing upgrades at the airport on the day of departure if there are available seats in a higher class.
Can you ask a flight attendant for an upgrade on a Japan Airlines flight?
Flight attendants may not have the authority to grant upgrades on the spot. It’s advisable to explore upgrade options through the airline’s website, app, or at the airport
