Cheap Airline Tickets to Japan

[Liz21]

Can anyone give me advice about how to get the cheapest tickets from Chicago to Narita? I am going in October (round trip).

Should I get the tickets now?

Are those "cheap ticket" websites reliable?

Are there hidden fees on those sites?

Yoroshiku onegai shimasu

[annie]

i've always found the best prices to be with the japanese travel agents, like iace.

it does seem a bit early for october, though i doubt prices will change that much,

you shouldn't have to pay more than about USD$700 for a roundtrip ticket.

[Liz21]

Annie, thanks so much!
Where can I find a Japanese travel agent? I live near Chicago so maybe I could find one in the Japanese/American community?
Or should I try one online?

[annie]

Annie, thanks so much!
Where can I find a Japanese travel agent? I live near Chicago so maybe I could find one in the Japanese/American community?
Or should I try one online?

Isn't there a big Japanese shopping area near Chicago? You could head out there and see if they have fliers in the shops advertising tickets.

And try:
http://www.iace-usa.com/index_us.htm
http://www.jtbusa.com/enhome/

I came to Japan the last week of September 2005 and paid about $800 for a RT. I seem to remember that ticket prices would have been less than that had I waited till October to come.

[Liz21]

Annie, thanks again!
I am so anxious to get my tickets now, but I am wondering if I can get a better price if I wait. My trip is in October. I want to get on a certain flight. Right now I can get a round trip for $1,000, including taxes and everything. I would appreciate your advice.

[annie]

Liz,
I think that's far too much to pay for October. (I've flown in August for that much) Though, maybe taxes have gone up significantly? If it were me, I'd wait another month or two. The travel agents aren't even advertising specials past summer yet. (Most people don't book their tickets this far in advance so I can't imagine the flight you want would fill up anytime soon.)

If you're under 26, look for student/youth prices.

if you've only been looking online, you might want to call a few real people. sometimes (in japan at least) they can give you better prices than the internet.

[dmr214]

Why don't you try No 1 Travel. It's a Japanese company that does discount tickets. I've used them a few times to travel between NRT and NY and they are pretty good! Never had any problem with them.

You'll have to give them a call but you can check http://www.no1-travel.com

They have an office in the US.

[Outkast]

If I'm going to be in Japan from September 2007-August 2008. is it even possible to book a round-trip fare, or will it have to be one-way (each way)?

[Harv]

If I'm going to be in Japan from September 2007-August 2008. is it even possible to book a round-trip fare, or will it have to be one-way (each way)?

A lot of airlines will only let you book tickets 12 months in advance so you might have to wait until august/september to get a round trip fare.

[annie]

If I'm going to be in Japan from September 2007-August 2008. is it even possible to book a round-trip fare, or will it have to be one-way (each way)?

yeah, it's possible to do it.
you might need to call the airline direct though, rather than book on the internet.
when i did study abroad, it was about $1100 RT, for August-July on Northwest

[Outkast]

Definitely going to try contacting them directly now. Thanks everybody.

[Rizu]

What about hotel/ryokan reservations? How far in advance should they be made typically?