London - Tokyo - guidance requested
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London - Tokyo - guidance requested
I am spending a week in Tokyo in November and am fortunate to have the funds to spend it on a J class ticket. However, these are my funds so I am keen to get good value for my money! 
I have a BA exec card with about 50,000 miles on it - so travelling with them seems a good option as a J Class return to Narita will greatly boost the miles balance.
However, I am planning to fly back on a sunday and its back to work on monday, so some good (airline) food before a good night's sleep back would also be appreciated. Do BA have the fully flat beds on this route?
Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best airline to travel with?
I have a BA exec card with about 50,000 miles on it - so travelling with them seems a good option as a J Class return to Narita will greatly boost the miles balance.
However, I am planning to fly back on a sunday and its back to work on monday, so some good (airline) food before a good night's sleep back would also be appreciated. Do BA have the fully flat beds on this route?
Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best airline to travel with?
Too mean to buy a long personal title
Yes, BA should have flat beds to NRT.
As an alternative to boosting the miles balance, don't forget that you could buy a World Traveller Plus ticket and upgrade to Club using 40,000 BA Miles, subject to award space availability.
Whether this is worth it for you will depend on the relative prices of the Club and WT+ tickets you can buy for money (and with whatever flexibility you need or don't need), plus the value to you of the 40,000 miles in terms of whether you spend them now, or keep them and add to them the miles that you'd earn flying paid Club.
Sometimes, a cheap WT+ ticket and Miles for Upgrade to Club can be absolutely outstanding value.
As an alternative to boosting the miles balance, don't forget that you could buy a World Traveller Plus ticket and upgrade to Club using 40,000 BA Miles, subject to award space availability.
Whether this is worth it for you will depend on the relative prices of the Club and WT+ tickets you can buy for money (and with whatever flexibility you need or don't need), plus the value to you of the 40,000 miles in terms of whether you spend them now, or keep them and add to them the miles that you'd earn flying paid Club.
Sometimes, a cheap WT+ ticket and Miles for Upgrade to Club can be absolutely outstanding value.
Paxing All Over The World
I agree Globaliser - when I am travelling on my own account, it tends to be with a ECO ticket and upgraded to PE/WTP ot, as you suggest PE/WTP up to Biz. It is the cheapest way of getting towards the front of the tube.
To check other benefits of BA, check their website. You can find out/ask if the ore-boarding meal is available. This allows you to dine in the exec departure lounge and then sleep more on board. If memory serves, they copied this from VS but I sit to be corrected.
To check other benefits of BA, check their website. You can find out/ask if the ore-boarding meal is available. This allows you to dine in the exec departure lounge and then sleep more on board. If memory serves, they copied this from VS but I sit to be corrected.
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Don't think there is pre-board dining at Narita yet...or if there is, they hide it from me.....
I do the trip 5/6 times a year and J-class is all flat-bed. If you are flying Club on 744, try upstairs in 62 or 64 A or K. Both are window seats with ease of access to the aisle and lot's of nice space at the side for drinkies.
I do the trip 5/6 times a year and J-class is all flat-bed. If you are flying Club on 744, try upstairs in 62 or 64 A or K. Both are window seats with ease of access to the aisle and lot's of nice space at the side for drinkies.
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Thanks all for your comments so far.
I am travelling with my wife (who has a much smaller BA miles balance) so the WT+ and upgrade option is not really a starter. The plan instead is to bank the miles for both of us and use them for another trip in the future.
BA seems to be the best option - I once went Club JFK-LHR and the flat beds were very comfy.
Any other comments gratefully received but thanks to all so far.
I am travelling with my wife (who has a much smaller BA miles balance) so the WT+ and upgrade option is not really a starter. The plan instead is to bank the miles for both of us and use them for another trip in the future.
BA seems to be the best option - I once went Club JFK-LHR and the flat beds were very comfy.
Any other comments gratefully received but thanks to all so far.
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Hi 10bob,
If you are looking to boost your miles then BA is probably the way to go.
Of course, I would recommend Virgin Atlantic for your trip. By November most (if not all) of the A340-600s will be fitted with the Upper Class Suite - the biggest flat bed in Business Class.
Also onboard you can select your food from the Freedom menu which allows you to eat what you want, when you want.
A fully flexible Upper Class ticket also includes limo transfers to/from LHR within a certain radius.
As an alternative to BA Exec you could join Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and earn generous mileage for this trip. Miles can be redeemed for Virgin or partner airline flights as well as a variety of leisure activities.
I'm happy to help if you've got any questions about Virgin Atlantic.
If you are looking to boost your miles then BA is probably the way to go.
Of course, I would recommend Virgin Atlantic for your trip. By November most (if not all) of the A340-600s will be fitted with the Upper Class Suite - the biggest flat bed in Business Class.
Also onboard you can select your food from the Freedom menu which allows you to eat what you want, when you want.
A fully flexible Upper Class ticket also includes limo transfers to/from LHR within a certain radius.
As an alternative to BA Exec you could join Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and earn generous mileage for this trip. Miles can be redeemed for Virgin or partner airline flights as well as a variety of leisure activities.
I'm happy to help if you've got any questions about Virgin Atlantic.
Too mean to buy a long personal title
High as a Kite: Of course, I would recommend Virgin Atlantic for your trip. By November most (if not all) of the A340-600s will be fitted with the Upper Class Suite - the biggest flat bed in Business Class.
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High as a Kite / Globaliser
I did give some thought to VS - but as Globaliser points out, the layout of the seating is offputting.
It just doesn't seem particularly sociable sitting like that - even if the TV advertising suggests otherwise!
I did give some thought to VS - but as Globaliser points out, the layout of the seating is offputting.
It just doesn't seem particularly sociable sitting like that - even if the TV advertising suggests otherwise!
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The Upper Class Suite is as sociable as you want it to be!
It is possible to hold a conversation whether you are sitting along side one another or opposite each other.
Each suite has a guest seat so you can enjoy a meal together.
Also you can sit together at the onboard bar.
When you want to sleep (which you mentioned as being important in your post) you will have more space and privacy than BA Club World.
It is possible to hold a conversation whether you are sitting along side one another or opposite each other.
Each suite has a guest seat so you can enjoy a meal together.
Also you can sit together at the onboard bar.
When you want to sleep (which you mentioned as being important in your post) you will have more space and privacy than BA Club World.
