Is JAL’s “Dokokani Mile” Really Worth It? 5 Tips & Tricks to Land a Winning Destination Instead of a Dud [Mileage Travel Hack]

If you use JAL’s mileage program, you’ve probably heard of “Dokokani Mile” (Somewhere Miles). This attractive service has become a hot topic among travel enthusiasts because it offers the possibility of getting domestic flight tickets for fewer miles. However, there are also voices saying it’s “always disappointing” or “not worth it.” So, is “Somewhere Miles” really a good deal? And are there any tricks to getting good results? In this article, we’ll explain the mechanics of “Somewhere Miles” in detail and introduce five tips for getting favorable destinations.

What is Somewhere Miles?

“Somewhere Miles” is a special mileage service offered by Japan Airlines (JAL). It allows you to randomly win a flight to one of four candidate destinations for a uniform 7,000 miles, which is typically less than the miles required for a regular flight to a specific destination. In essence, you have the chance to get a round-trip ticket to a destination that would normally require more than 20,000 miles for just 7,000 miles (previously it was available for 6,000 miles, but was recently changed to 7,000).

The charm of this service lies primarily in its “unpredictability.” You won’t know which of the four candidate destinations your ticket will be for until just before your trip (you’ll receive a decision notification within about 3 days of booking). By going to a destination you might not have chosen yourself, there’s a higher chance of making new discoveries and experiences. The fact that you can enjoy travel more affordably than usual is also a factor that attracts many users.

Rumors About Somewhere Miles

Various negative rumors circulate about “Somewhere Miles.” The most common is that it’s “always disappointing and not worth using.” Indeed, the probability of getting a popular tourist destination is not very high. In practice, compared to popular travel destinations like Okinawa and Amami, airports in lesser-known minor cities tend to be considered “disappointments” and are avoided. But is this really a “disappointment”?

In reality, destinations labeled as “disappointments” each have their own unique charm. For example, major cities like Haneda (Tokyo), Nagoya, and Osaka already have many flights that can be used with relatively few miles without using Somewhere Miles, so they tend to be less preferred as Somewhere Miles destinations. However, these cities are rich in tourist attractions and delicious cuisine, making them perfect for weekend getaways.

Regional airports in Chugoku and Shikoku regions, such as Takamatsu and Okayama, may also be treated as “disappointments” at first glance, but these areas are home to many hidden gems and beautiful natural scenery. Visiting these places that you might not have thought to buy a ticket for otherwise could lead to new discoveries.

So depending on your perspective, it’s not an exaggeration to say that there are no “disappointments” among the destinations you can get with “Somewhere Miles.” In fact, going to unexpected places is the real thrill of this service.

Without Planning, You’re Unlikely to Get Popular Destinations

That said, it’s human nature to want to visit popular destinations when using this service! If so, you probably want to know the algorithm to draw your desired destination.

Many people apply for “Somewhere Miles” without making specific plans, randomly selecting dates. However, with this method, the probability of getting your desired destination is not very high. This is because “Somewhere Miles” operates according to certain mechanisms.

How Somewhere Miles Works – The Relationship Between Flights and Available Seats

Basically, the destinations offered through this service are limited to routes that have available seats at that time. This means that popular tourist destinations and flights during busy seasons are less likely to appear as candidates in the first place.

Also, depending on your desired departure and arrival times, there may be no operating flights at all. For example, if you specify early morning or late night hours, many routes will be excluded from the candidates.

With an understanding of these mechanisms, utilizing the following five tips can make your “Somewhere Miles” experience more satisfying.

Five Tips for Drawing Winning Destinations

Now, let’s get to the main point. Based on what we’ve discussed, here are some strategies for drawing destinations generally considered “winners”!

1. Avoid High Seasons

During high seasons like Golden Week, Obon, and New Year’s, many routes tend to be fully booked, making them less likely to be included in “Somewhere Miles.” As a result, minor city airports are more likely to be suggested. Instead, choosing off-seasons or weekdays increases the possibility of having more options.

2. Be Flexible with Time Settings

Setting specific departure and arrival times may limit your choices. By setting a somewhat broader time frame, more routes are likely to appear as candidates. If you don’t have specific preferences, it’s recommended to search with “no time specification.”

3. Research Flight Times for Your Target Route and Set Specific Times

Conversely, if you’re aiming for a specific destination, an advanced strategy is to research the flight times for that route in advance and specify those times precisely. For example, if you’re targeting flights to Okinawa, concentrating on the times when many flights to Okinawa operate might increase your chances of success.

4. Search Multiple Times

The results of “Somewhere Miles” change with each search. Since seat availability changes moment by moment, searching again after some time with the same conditions may yield different results. By persistently searching multiple times, you increase the probability of hitting your desired destination.

5. Enjoy Wherever You End Up, to the Fullest

Lastly, and most importantly, maintain the mindset to enjoy wherever you end up, to the fullest. The real pleasure of “Somewhere Miles” lies in making new discoveries in unexpected places. Even if you initially feel it’s a “disappointment,” by making an effort to explore the unique charm of that area, you might have a surprisingly wonderful experience.

Other Points to Note

There are also several other points to note when using Somewhere Miles. For example, if you don’t specify a time, the outbound flight might be scheduled for a late hour, or the return flight for an early hour, resulting in a shorter stay than expected. The Somewhere Miles algorithm ensures at least 6 hours of local stay time, but for places where the airport is far from the city center, your trip might end up being mostly just going and coming back.

Also, due to the nature of Somewhere Miles where your destination is randomly decided from among four candidates, no matter how much you try to strategize, there’s still a possibility you won’t get your desired destination. Perhaps the most important thing is to abandon the notion of “winning” or “losing” and fully enjoy whichever destination you end up with.

Conclusion

JAL’s “Somewhere Miles” certainly doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get your desired destination. However, this should not be seen as a “disappointment,” but rather as an opportunity for new discoveries. By utilizing the five tips introduced in this article, you can make your “Somewhere Miles” experience more satisfying.

“Somewhere Miles” is not just a means to get discounted flight tickets. It’s a valuable opportunity to make new discoveries in unexpected places and broaden your horizons. When using “Somewhere Miles,” approach it with the mindset to fully enjoy the charm of any destination you might get!

*Required mileage and other details may change, so please refer to the official information before use.