You want to experience the international Japan Airlines (JAL) Sakura Lounge, but cannot afford a ticket in the premium cabin and don't fly enough to qualify for status? Here's your chance. JAL finally starts offering paid lounge service to passengers who don't normally qualify for international Sakura Lounge access.
Until now, JAL has only offered paid lounge service at Tokyo Haneda Airport. But given the limit services provided at the domestic Sakura Lounge, it is usually not a great deal even though it only costs JPY3,000 to access the domestic Sakura Lounge. So how about the international ones being offered?
First of all, JAL currently only offer Paid Lounge Service at select international outports: Bangkok (BKK) and Honolulu (HNL). Advanced reservation is required and you can only access the lounge 3 hours before your flight's departure time. The access fee varies depending on where you made your purchase.
Honolulu
Japan: JPY 4,000
Canada: CAD 40
Others: USD 40
Bangkok
Japan: JPY 3,500 + 7% VAT
Canada: CAD 35 + 7% VAT
Others: USD 35 + 7% VAT
At the current exchange rate, those purchasing from Canada has the best deal. Given the fee JAL charges for the limited services at the domestic Sakura Lounge, these appear to be great deals! At least there are full buffets offered at these lounges (well....on the pre-covid days)
Right now the service is only available to passengers holding tickets issued by Japan Airlines, i.e. e-ticket numbers starting with 131. And you have to be on a JAL operated flight from these airports. Most economy fares which do not come with lounge access are eligible (Fare class: B/H/K/M/L/V/S/Q/N/O/T). But some fares such as group fares are excluded. Those who are eligible can purchase the Paid Lounge Service either at the same time they purchase the ticket from JAL website, or via the "Manage Booking" page on JAL website or the call center after they have ticketed the reservation.
Note that in order to avoid lounge congestion, JAL may not offer the Paid Lounge Service for your flight even if you are departing from one of the eligible airports. But I guess that's not going to be a problem in the short term with the ongoing pandemic. But once you have purchased for the service, the fee is not refundable if there's no change to your flight or elite status.
So at least for now, JAL is still protecting the exclusivity of its flagship international lounges at its main Tokyo hubs. And lounge congestion isn't a problem in the foreseeable future. But what will JAL do when the demand has recovered? Will they continue to offer this paid lounge access option and are they going to expand it to other outputs with JAL operated lounges such as San Francisco, Frankfurt, and Manila? Or will this finally be expanded to those in Japan as well? Only time can tell.
For more details on his paid lounge service, you can visit JAL website (Japanese, English).
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