MonkeyBoy wrote:

> I was checking out airfares/routes online (specifically at
> expedia.com), roundtrip from Tokyo to various cities in the US.  The
> fares seemed fairly reasonable to me.  What I'm wondering is if it is
> possible to purchase and use these tickets from Japan.   How about for
> Japanese nationals?  Has anyone here ever done this?

I used to buy from Travelocity and Expedia.  Then a Japanese friend 
suggested that I check the online deals from JTB and they beat all of 
the international prices with far less hassle.  They have a "check and 
call" page that gives out discount coupons and a phone number to call 
(numbers are different for different airlines and destinations).  I have 
had them knock an additional 10% off the online price and they gave a 
second discount for cash payment (furikomi) instead of credit card 
(usually 5~7%).  I always buy refundable / changeable tickets and, 
unlike the US online ticket sellers, I _always_ get offered seat 
upgrades when I use JTB tickets.  Plus, when I needed to get to a 
business meeting in Gibraltar on 36 hours notice, they got me there and 
charged me the same price as if I'd purchased the ticket two weeks in 
advance.

BTW, I have seen /some/ cheaper prices for flights from Tokyo to a 
Canadian city and then on to a northern US destination than for flights 
that change in US cities.

CL