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2023
6
July
When is the best time to book flights for a trip to Japan in July/August?

Question:

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Kasey

Tips on travel to Japan— have accommodations booked July 25- Aug 2 but would love tips on when to buy flights/ how to get the best deals! I have a westjet card so planning on using the companion voucher.

Humans say...

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Anita

Zipair is cheap

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Elaine

Not sure you can use your companion voucher overseas. I suggest you check.

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Gina

Elaine you can during certain times of the year. Kasey Brown best to call
westjet to ask.

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Noel

Elaine yes you can. Anywhere westjet flies

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Heidi

yes you can use the vouchers for international flights, any time of the year but I recommend taking AC as their prices are much better, even without a companion voucher.

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Jhoudiey

You CAN use your voucher, but westjet is SUPER expensive to get to Japan, so even with the voucher it's usually cheaper to fly other airlines (I was so excited cause I've got the same card but haven't used it yet). Average "cheap" flights RT to Tokyo are about 1100-1200$, but you can occasionally find them for 5-600. I've noticed they normally go on sale for cheap cheap in Feb & Aug so I'd put a flight watch on your dates and if nothing by end of Feb see what you can get for about a grand (or if westjet has a sale that with the voucher gets you both there for ~2k that works too).
Also, the dates you have (if you don't already know) is going to be HOT. like... Don't go outside if you can help it, hot. Make sure to pack loose clothes, a UV umbrella if you have one, and make sure to drink lots of water.

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Robbin

Jhoudiey definitely July is humid/hot in Japan. Each eatery gives you cloth wipes/napkins to cool off etc. Very nice touch.
I was @ Tokyo in 2005 so don’t have current knowledge/pricing. But I can tell you I would love, love to return in a second
It’s so clean. They are clean and the people are so honest!!!
I would accidentally give too much cash and they would advise me and not accept overpayment. Tipping is uncommon there. They don’t understand what you’re trying to do.
There’s a few things to be mindful of there. Take your shoes off often, even stepping into a “portable clothing change room.” They give you doilies to put around your neck trying on clothes to not stain them!! Very clever. They have doilies in cabs and on the small cash/credit card trays. Again they’re showing respect.
They aren’t comfortable with people being loud: laughing on the train….actually anywhere. They’re very respectful and sweet people.
This is a country with 4 distinct seasons. If I go back I would love to go in the Spring time to see the
.
You’ll love Japan

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Janet

Robbin and never eat or drink in the street

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Meg'n

i was going to add how hot it’ll be, we’ve been there then and HOLY man.
But I also echo the person above, do lots of research into the etiquette there, it’s very very different from here. I found lots of people speak little to no English so be prepared for that.
My husband has very strong feelings about air canada and has avoided using them there for years. But other options are likely pricey (JAL is great). He did take the westjet Dreamliner there this summer and really enjoyed the plane; not sure the cost breakdown exactly.

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Lindsay

Jhoudiey how and where do you put a flight watch on?

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Lindsay

Jhoudiey how and where do you put a flight watch on?

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Jhoudiey

I get emails from yeg deals, then there's the YOLO flight bot you can sign up for as well (I have mine set for any dates, any JP airport and under 900) and ALSO set Google price trackers if I have a specific set of dates I'm looking for. I'm hoping within the next month or so they drop to the 6-700 range again, but have no idea if they actually will. Just be prepared cause sometimes the sale doesn't last long so you don't usually have time to waffle around before buying. I've got the details all of my travel companions so if/when they pop up I can just book everything and let them know dates after

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Laura-Jo

Train around japan is convenient.

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Kendell

We just went in April this year so if you have any questions let me know. We got flights through air canada direct. It was 2300 for two return including luggage. air canada was the cheapest and it was the fastest. Went to Vancouver then direct to toyko

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Gina

We found it cheapest to fly to Hawaii on westjet, and then take ZipAir. However, we could not use the companion fare as it was off-season, when westjet uses a Japanese carrier. You shouldn’t have that problem flying in the summer.

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Elaine

Gina did you book Zipair at the last minute or close to your travel date?

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Gina

Elaine I booked it about 3 months out, but I had a Google
Flight alert on it for about 6 weeks before that. When the price dropped to $600 return I snapped up 2 tickets! We are going at the end of January.

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Elaine

Amazing!! Thanks for sharing

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Dongxia

Bring a little hand towel as they don’t have paper towels in the bathrooms

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Kasey

Dongxia brilliant! Thank you!

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Janet

Handkerchiefs are widely sold and often carried so you can dry your hands in public washrooms and also to spread on your lap in a restaurant.

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Olivia

If you keep an eye out there are deals thriugh WJ. I went in October and got a one way deal for $490 all in via YYC.

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Kasey

Olivia wow that’s so good! What time of year did you book?

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Olivia

Kasey Brown I booked in Jul/Aug for Late Oct before their seasonal route ended

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Noel

I flew to Tokyo from Calgary in the summer and used companion voucher. It wasn’t cheap but service was pretty good. We took bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka. It was really hot and humid. Be prepared especially if you’re planning to go to Disney or other theme parks. It’s hard to imagine how hot and humid it gets if you’ve never been to Asia. PM if you have any Qs


A.I. says...

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Tips for Traveling to Japan and Finding Cheap Flights

Traveling to Japan can be an exciting and memorable experience, but planning and finding affordable flights can be a challenge. If you have accommodations booked from July 25th to August 2nd and want to use your WestJet companion voucher, here are some tips to help you get the best deals on flights:

When to Book Flights

  • Book Early: While it's generally recommended to book flights at least 6 months in advance for international travel, Japan can be an exception. Airlines tend to release flight schedules and pricing around 330 days before the travel date, so you can start monitoring prices around 11 months in advance.
  • Use Price Tracking Tools: Services like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak allow you to set up price alerts and track flight prices for your desired routes. This can help you identify the best time to book based on price fluctuations.
  • Avoid Peak Seasons: Summer is a popular time for travel to Japan, so flights during this period tend to be more expensive. If possible, consider traveling during the shoulder seasons (spring or fall) for better deals.

Finding Cheap Flights

  • Be Flexible with Travel Dates: Flexibility with your travel dates can significantly increase your chances of finding cheaper flights. Use search tools that allow you to view prices for a range of dates and consider flying on weekdays instead of weekends.
  • Search for One-Way Flights: Sometimes, booking two one-way flights separately can be cheaper than booking a round-trip ticket. Compare prices for both options.
  • Consider Nearby Airports: Expand your search to include nearby airports in your departure and arrival cities. Smaller airports often have lower taxes and fees, resulting in cheaper flights.
  • Use Your WestJet Companion Voucher: With your WestJet companion voucher, you can bring a travel companion for a reduced fee or even free on select routes. Check if the voucher can be applied to your desired flights to Japan.

By following these tips and being flexible with your travel dates, you can increase your chances of finding affordable flights to Japan and making the most of your WestJet companion voucher.









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