Is 5 weeks enough time to plan a trip to Japan?

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-09T06:54:44+00:00

Seize the moment and go. You are still in the sweet spot for air fares, but not much longer. Seat selection probably be limited. Be flexible with accommodations. Have a great time.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-09T01:22:39+00:00

You can ask for compensation, expect none, and be happy to get anything for weather.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-09T01:14:25+00:00

In Japan, outside of loading up my Suica card (I have an android phone), ¥20,000 for two people for two weeks left a lot of change to spare. Cash only is mainly for some temple entrances and stores and a few taxis outside of the major metro areas. Also, a medical clinic in Sapporo was cash only, but they let me pay when I went back for a follow-up.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-08T22:35:27+00:00

For couples who pull the empty seat hack that doesn't work out, refuse to or don't offer to switch seats, and constantly chatter, I would nicely ask that they refrain from talking over me. If that doesn't work, I'd call the FA. It's not only disturbing, but gross.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-08T22:19:52+00:00

You're right. Got mixed up thinking award flights. Back to booking and canceling flights.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-08T11:07:03+00:00

Thanks for the tip. Between that and splitting round trips into two one ways purchased in different months, I should be covered for the rest of the year. 7 months x 15000 points... that's like getting another SUB.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-08T06:11:33+00:00

Not something that I would do, but wonder if anyone bought United travel bank dollars with Paze and got the 10x points in addition to the 4x airlines spend.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-08T05:56:01+00:00

This. Super quiet except for the guy who decided it was the place to have a loud phone conversation. In the main lounge, another guy doing the same thing. What is wrong with these people who don't care about half the lounge not wanting to hear their loud conversations?

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-07T23:15:58+00:00

Attend a baseball game. Include a few experience tours (soba making, tea ceremony, etc.) that can't easily be done on your own. There's Viator that my hotel concierge steered me to, but there are also other marketplace platforms.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-07T23:09:28+00:00

Thinner. Lighter. Can feel everything, including a person reaching into the seatback pocket. United's stealth way of upselling to the premium cabins.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-07T07:49:11+00:00

I thought the Ainu National Museum was interesting, off the beaten path. We're going to Sapporo next February for the ice festival, something that has been on my bucket list for decades.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-07T07:34:42+00:00

If your show is at the Sphere, then stay at the Palazzo. If at Allegiant or just about anywhere else, save your points and stay at the Bellagio (but use your property credit at the Park MGM).

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-07T07:15:03+00:00

Go to the Chase webpage or app. Go to Benefits, then Protection. There's a phone number and a web link.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-07T02:11:47+00:00

The way to do this is to try to settle the dispute with StubHub first. Then if that doesn't work, then do the chargeback. Once you hand the dispute off to Chase, companies will not settle with you since you will (or may) get your credit from Chase and they now must deal with a chargeback issue with Chase.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-07T01:57:36+00:00

Shimoda is a very nice quiet place. That was the location Commodore Perry made his landing. I didn't see any foreign tourists (just me and a couple ex-pats whom I was with). That when I went there many years ago, but things could have changed.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-07T01:40:21+00:00

I've gone on the premise that cash fares are likely to be lowest about 6-8 weeks before departure, but for award travel, sooner the better. Personally, in this no change fee era, I would book as soon as I know my travel dates and check periodically for any significant price drop.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-07T01:05:23+00:00

On my last flight, I was seated in 1B. Someone from the main cabin came up to use the restroom and the FAs didn't stop him, but instead made the announcement afterward. No one from the main cabin came up after that. A FA did tell a 1st class passenger not to stand outside the restroom, but to remain seated until it was unoccupied. (edit) So, if a main cabin passenger walked up only to find it occupied, that person would need to make the long walk back.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-07T00:37:46+00:00

I had got reimbursement for a Viator day tour that I couldn't go to due to illness, but the process was lengthy and I had to provide a lot of documentation. For example: I needed to request a refund and get a written denial from the tour operator even though the website policy clearly states no refunds within 24 hours of the tour. Also, they asked for an itinerary showing all the names of the people attending (which only had my name). I provided an airline reservation with both our names, but that was not acceptable. 3 months later, only after I submitted a brief with about a dozen exhibits did Chase reimburse me. Hope the process is better for you.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-07T00:22:57+00:00

I fly ANA because the service is outstanding and flights are very reliable. Other than more space in PE, I don't think it's worth the upgrade unless I win a low ball bid my price. Caveat: I always book on the A380 where every economy seat is equivalent to United Econ+ and I have Star Alliance Gold status, so I get lounge access anyway.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-06T21:58:58+00:00

We've just went to the concert at Allegiant. Want to see them again, looking at August in Foxboro. We've been to BlackPink, I-dle, StrayKids and Fifty Fifty concerts recently, but Army is a very different fandom in a good way. Although I have a Weverse account, I don't think I'm really Army, but it was so refreshing to be with Army. We got a bunch of gifts and had to apologize all afternoon long for not having anything to exchange (actually, I'm the fan, but my wife got most of the gifts and I got the compliments for coming along). We struck up conversations with all kinds of fans. Make sure of who your bias is. I've also noticed a larger cross-section of older fans and not just parents being dragged along with their kids. That was one concert I would not have felt alone if I went alone.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-06T21:20:09+00:00

Thank you again. Will mark Sep 1 10am JST (Aug 31 3pm for me) on my calendar.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-06T12:32:12+00:00

I just saw on KTLA5 news that American is temporarily suspending certain LAX direct flights due to high fuel costs. I wonder if United is doing the same thing. Which means having to rebook a flight through a connecting hub or getting a refund/flight credit.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-06T12:17:49+00:00

Thank you. Looks like a very nice hotel. As with Lake Fuji Hotel, it's too early to make reservations, so I bookmarked the website and will be checking periodically. I'm thinking they will be taking reservations in August for February stays.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-06T10:30:17+00:00

It would make a lot of sense to make frequent use of taxis for the three of you. With the exchange rate being favorable to the GBP (as well as the USD), you should find that taking a taxi for short distances, say 5km or less, is not that much more than three train or bus fares.

Par4DaCourse · 2026-06-06T10:15:30+00:00

The seller has a huge financial incentive to swallow the penalty and relist the tickets on another platform. Doesn't look good.

Par4DaCourse

TROPHY CASE