!

The World’s Best Airports of 2024 announced. More Details Here.

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2024 Cherry Blossom Forecast (13th forecast) More Details Here.

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KIE’s Commitment to SDGs. More details Here.

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The United States and Japan officially launched the “U.S.-Japan Tourism Year” in 2024. More details Here

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You can get your KIE’s invoice anytime when you need it. How to?

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< Important >  International Travel Notification Here.  Travel State Gov – U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE.

FAQ

 » FAQ
Airline Ticket
Hotel / Rental Car
Immigration / Visa
Group Travel
Other

Airline Ticket

Air Ticket Reservation

Q. Can I make flight reservations online?

A.

All Kintetsu Online Booking Systems are customized to the customer and all require a contract. Please contact Kintetsu Sales for details.

Q. Can you please confirm that my frequent flyer number is included?

A.

For reservation inquiries, please contact RSV@kintetsu.com

Alternatively, you can log in to the airline’s website to check your registered mileage. We recommend that you check your boarding pass for mileage information.

Q. I would like to know the latest flight status between the U.S. and Japan.

A.

Flight operations are changing drastically. Please contact our consultants with your specific departure and arrival destinations and dates as departure times change even seasonally.

Q. Contact information for major airline reservation centers in the U.S. (English)

A.

  In US 1-800-JAL-FONE (1-800-525-3663*)/In Japan 0570-025-031 (Charge) /Tokyo 03-5460-0511 /Osaka 06-6344-2365 /Sapporo 011-232-1144 /Nagoya 052-265-2580 /Fukuoka 092-261-2531 /Okinawa 098-891-8203

In US  1-800-235-9262 /In Japan 0570-029-767 (Charge) /Tokyo 03-6741-6683

In US 1-800-221-1212 /In Japan 0570-077-733 (Charge)

   In Us 1-800-864-8331 /In Japan 03-6732-5011

In us 1-800-433-7300 /In Japan 03-4333-7675 

 

*Click on the Airline’s name to Open the website.

Q. On the website, I found a US domestic ticket that was cheaper than the price I received from Kintetsu.

A.

In some cases, the ticket may be Basic Economy class. If the ticket cannot be used, no credit will remain and cannot be applied toward the purchase of a new ticket. Kintetsu clearly informs customers of these conditions and arranges tickets according to customer requests.

Q. We have trouble keeping track of my employees' unused airline tickets.

A.

We can send you a list of unused airline tickets on a monthly basis. We can help you reduce costs by eliminating waste.

Q. My frequent flyer miles were not credited.

A.

If you have your boarding pass, you can apply for a “Missing Mileage Credit”. Please visit each airline’s website to apply.

Q. TSA PreCheck® NUMBER was not registered.

A.

In most cases this is not a problem if you let us know when you make your reservation, but just to be safe, please make sure to enter the information into your respective mileage accounts and link them at the same time.

Q. When I tried to upgrade to business class with frequent flyer miles, I could not request it.

A.

Upgrades are not available for some reservation classes.
Please inform us of your desire to upgrade before making a reservation.

Q. I would like to purchase a ticket to Japan, but I haven't determined the return date. Is it possible to get an open ticket?

A.

Open tickets are available, but they are expensive, so it is more economical to purchase a 12-month or 6-month validity ticket with a tentative return date, and change the return date when the return date is fixed.

Q. Before going to Japan, my child is under 2 years old, but will be 2 years old before returning to the U.S. How do I purchase a seat?

A.

Each airline has a different policy, but we recommend that in such cases we make arrangements for children to have a seat.

Q. What are the baggage and weight limits for checked baggage on flights to Japan? What are the fees for additional baggage?

A.

What are the baggage and weight limits for checked baggage on flights to Japan? What are the fees for additional baggage?

Q. How long before should I go to the airport?

A.

We recommend 4 hours prior to international flights and 3 hours prior to domestic flights. This is advised as a precautionary measure due to the high volume of traffic and the fact that unexpected events often occur these days due to airport staff shortages and other factors.

Q. Do I need to pick up my luggage at Haneda when I have a layover on my way back from Japan?

A.

In principle, this is not necessary. However, please note that if your ticket is issued separately, you may have to pick it up at Haneda once. Please also check at the airport of departure on the day of your flight.

Q. Can I use unused tickets from a resigned employee for another employee?

A.

This may be possible with some airlines. Arrangements are subject to a fee.

Q. Can Kintetsu arrange a mileage upgrade?

A.

This may be possible with some airlines, but there is a fee to make arrangements.

Q. Please provide the necessary information to make a flight reservation.

A.

Please have the name and date of birth listed on your passport or ID card.
You should also bring your phone number, frequent flyer membership number and seat preference.

Q. My passport includes my maiden name within parentheses, while your green card only has my last name after marriage. Which name should I use to make the reservation?

A.

In principle, the name should match the passport name. The parentheses are unique to Japanese passports, but both the name in parentheses and the name without parentheses are recognized as surnames. We recommend that you use both.

Q. Is there a service available to check in additional luggage for free?

A.

Except for special promotional periods, we cannot change the limits on free carry-on baggage.

Q. Why is it that there are low fares for flights to Japan from Los Angeles, but high fares from San Francisco, even though they are both in California?

A.

Airline ticket prices are not based on distance, but on supply and demand at the departure and arrival points. Therefore, supply and demand are different between Los Angeles and San Francisco, which causes such a difference.

Special assistance

Q. What are the procedures and charges for special baggage (sports goods, musical instruments, etc.) and excess baggage at the time of boarding?

A.

Please let us know the details when you make your reservation. Some items may not be able to be carried on board depending on the aircraft and other equipment. Also, depending on the nature of your question, a fee may be charged.

Q. Can you provide support for small children, elderly, or disabled persons?

A.

Please contact KIE consultants in advance for all inquiries.

Q. I would like to send my 14 year old daughter back to Japan alone, but do I need to have support?

A.

Policies vary by airline and destination. Usually, a single traveler under the age of 14 is required to apply for an Unaccompanied Minor; there may be a fee for Unaccompanied Minor services.

Q. Arrangements for flights and hotel accommodations when traveling alone as an unaccompanied minor.

A.

Each airline and hotel has different policies depending on age and other factors. Please contact our consultants at the time of booking. Please contact our consultants at the time of booking to inquire about fees.

Q. I would like to bring my CPAP on board.

A.

Information such as manufacturer’s name, product name, size, and whether it is battery-operated or plug type is needed.
Some seats cannot be used due to low wattage.

Q. I need an air cylinder.

A.

Please make your request directly to the airline. Because your life may be in danger
Please provide accurate information yourself.

Q. I need a wheelchair before I board the plane.

A.

Please contact us at the time of booking. At that time, please prepare as much detail as possible about your physical condition, as support may vary depending on conditions such as whether you can ascend or descend stairs.

Q. VIP is arriving from Japan. Is there a domestic flight transfer assistance service in the United States?

A.

Some airlines offer VIP service (for a fee in some cases).

Support System

Q. Does Kintetsu have telephone support?

A.

If you call us, we will respond to your call.

Q. What is your after hours contact information?

A.

Our 24-hour service is available only to customers with emergency contracts. Please contact our sales staff for details. In principle, there is a charge for contacting and inquiring about our after-hours service. Arrangement fees apply.

Q. I left something on board the aircraft.

A.

First, you must file a lost and found report on the airline’s website. The airline will then use the information to search for the item.

Q. My checked luggage seems to be lost.

A.

First, you must report the loss at baggage claim. Please have your itinerary and other information such as your place of stay ready. You will also need a copy of your application for insurance, so please keep that in a safe place.

Q. How can I get a copy of my invoice?

A.

You can print invoice here.

OBT - Online Booking Tools

Q. I issued my ticket through DEEM. I would like to change it, please tell me how.

A.

All questions on online reservations will be answered by Support@kintetsu.com

Q. Online Booking - My reservations for different airlines do not fit into one record. Do I need to create a separate record?

A.

Due to ticket issuance agreements between airlines, it may not be possible to make reservations on the same itinerary. We recommend making reservations on a separate record, especially when Low Cost Carriers are mixed.

Q. I booked my ticket online, but I can't see the fares, is it because they are two different airlines?

A.

Separate ticketing is required if each airline has its own rates. Please contact our consultants for more information or book separately. When contacting us, please note that fees may apply depending on the nature of your question and arrangements.

Q. Considering implementing the Online Booking Tool.

A.

Kintetsu can assist you in implementing Concur, Deem, and Certify. We can also connect to your current expense reimbursement system.

Q. Q: Are there any inconveniences for users when transferring OBT from other travel agencies?

A.

The switchover is smooth because of the timing of the weekend.

Q. We would like to implement a business travel approval system.

A.

OBT has a function.

Q. I thought I made a reservation or purchase online (OBT), but the ticket has not been issued. My reservation has been cancelled.

A.

Please be sure to click PURCHASE when making your reservation or purchase to confirm that you have received your Confirmation.

Hotel / Rental Car

Hotel

Q. What is the credit card reservation guarantee for hotel reservations?

A.

Credit card information must be registered at the time of reservation to guarantee room availability. In the event of NO SHOW or cancellation after the cancellation policy date, a cancellation fee will be automatically charged to the credit card registered in the reservation guarantee.

Q. I saw the hotel information in your newsletter. Please send me the hotel reservation website.

A.

Reservations for Kintetsu Rate hotels can be made by contacting our hotel desk by email or other means. Our consultants will be happy to answer any other questions you may have.

Q. Car rental and hotel receipts have not been sent to my email.

A.

If you have the membership number of the car rental company or hotel, you can log in with it and enter the necessary information to find your receipt in most cases. If you are still unable to find your receipt, please contact the front desk of the rental car company or hotel. If you still cannot find the receipt, you will need to contact the rental car company’s office or the hotel front desk. Depending on the nature of your question and the situation, you may be charged a fee for the procedure.

Q. I'm arriving early. Can I check in early.

A.

Some places will accept early check-in depending on room availability the day before, but many cannot guarantee it. If you must guarantee a room, you will need to take measures such as reserving a room the day before. Also, some hotels nowadays charge an additional fee for early check-in.

Q. I want to check out of my hotel earlier than planned.

A.

Please ‘ask’ to the front desk of the hotel, be sure to settle up and get a receipt when you do so.

Q. I found a hotel on the website that was cheaper than the price quoted by Kintetsu.

A.

The rates are based on a credit card payment requirement at the time of reservation or a non-refundable fee if the reservation is cancelled.
Kintetsu offers hotel rates with a 24-hour cancellation policy. In many cases, the Kintetsu Hotel Rate is the lowest price for the same conditions.

Q. When I arrived at the hotel, I was told there were no reservations.

A.

“Please start by contacting Kintetsu. In many cases, people are trying to check in at a different hotel or have different dates.”

Q. I arrived at the hotel, but it was not what I expected, so I want to cancel the reservation and go to another hotel.

A.

We cannot make changes to the hotel based on your convenience. However, if there are significant issues with the service (such as objectively dirty rooms), we may contact you to confirm the situation and make necessary arrangements.

Q. When I had the guest's hotel reservation guaranteed with my own card, the charges for the guest's room were billed to my card.

A.

This occurred because the hotel charged on the day it entered the effective period of the cancellation policy. In reality, it can be prevented by confirming the payment method at the hotel front desk during check-in. However, with the increase in self-check-in options like KIOSKs, it’s easy to overlook this step. Once the charge has been made, some hotels have a policy that they won’t accept changes to the payment method, so please make sure to verify the payment method during check-out.

Q. I would like to extend my hotel stay and car rental.

A.

Please be sure to inform the front desk of your extended stay at least one night prior to check-out time. However, it may not be possible to extend the stay due to room availability on the date of the extension. Once a rental car is rented, it is the sole responsibility of the rental agency to make arrangements to extend the rental period. Please contact the rental agency with the Rental Agreement Number (RA#), which is different from the reservation number.

Q. We have a large family, so we need rooms next to each other or connecting rooms.

A.

Some hotels offer connecting rooms while others do not. Please be sure to inform us of your preference when making a reservation. It may be request-based, but we will contact the hotel in advance to communicate your request. If you also wish for a neighboring room, we will follow a similar process. Additionally, depending on the arrangement, there may be an additional charge.

Q. I want to leave the hotel later than the hotel's normal check-out time. Can I stay in the room later for an additional fee?

A.

Although it depends on the hotel’s policy, many hotels may accept late check-out for an additional fee. Please note, however, that this is only an occurrence-based request and may not be available depending on the next day’s room availability. Please also check the hotel’s membership program, which may include late check-out as one of the preferential conditions.

Car Rental

Q. When I went to the rental car office, I was told that there were no cars available.

A.

During busy periods when many cars are rented out, it can take a long time to rent a car because cars are not returned on time. In order to avoid such a situation, we will give priority to trusted car rental companies. In addition, by signing up for a membership, you can show your loyalty to the rental company and avoid delays due to overbooking.

Q. Describe the insurance policy for the rental car.

A.

Insurance for car rentals can be confusing. Our sales staff will be happy to explain the details through webinars, etc., on a company-by-company basis, so please let our sales staff know.

Q. When I returned the rental car, I was told that it was damaged and was charged additionally, but it had been damaged since I rented it.

A.

If you notice scratches, ask to have the car replaced. Take pictures of the car before you rent it.

Immigration / Visa

Travel Requirement

Q. How can I get the latest information related to travel?

A.

You can check the latest travel information on the Sherpa-provided , which consolidates travel requirements here.

And you can visit Travel.State.GovU.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE — BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIR.

Q. What is ESTA?

A.

ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It is an automated system that determines the eligibility of travelers to visit the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP allows citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without obtaining a traditional visa.

Travelers from VWP-eligible countries are required to apply for ESTA online before entering the United States. The ESTA application collects biographical and eligibility information from the traveler. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reviews this information to determine if the traveler poses any security or law enforcement risks. If approved, the traveler receives authorization to travel to the United States under the VWP.

It’s important to note that ESTA is not a visa but an authorization to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Travelers who do not qualify for ESTA or plan to stay longer than 90 days or for purposes other than tourism or business should apply for a U.S. visa.

Q. Going to Canada

A.

An eTA is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals who are traveling to Canada by air. It’s electronically linked to your passport and allows you to board your flight to Canada.

U.S. citizens do not need an eTA to enter Canada for short visits, but they must carry valid U.S. travel documents, such as a U.S. passport or Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL).

Q. What is ETIAS?

A.

Starting in mid-2025, ETIAS stands for “European Travel Information and Authorization System.” It is a new travel authorization system that the European Union (EU) is implementing for travelers from visa-exempt countries who wish to visit the Schengen Area. The Schengen Area includes most EU member states and several non-EU countries in Europe, and it allows for passport-free travel between its member countries. Starting in mid-2025,

Q. I am taking a medication that Japan has not approved. I want to bring that medication to Japan.

A.

First, please contact the airline and the Japanese Immigration Bureau (Customs). In many cases, if you have a prescription from a doctor, it is often allowed, especially for medications that do not pose a significant risk to health when taken. However, please be aware that in cases where there is no medical necessity (e.g., recreational use) for the medication, it may not be allowed.

Q. If I change planes in another country to get to my destination, will I be treated as a transfer or do I have to enter that country first? How will my baggage be collected?

A.

All criteria for transit or entry differ from country to country. Therefore, baggage handling will also vary.

Q. How many bottles of alcohol can I bring into Japan? How much is duty free?

A.

Please check Japan Customs.

Visa

Q. Visa Application Services

A.

Please use our online application service.

Q. Do I need to get a VISA to visit Japan if I have non Japanese passport?

A.

Japan has taken measures on the visa exemption arrangements for some countries/regions.

Please visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website for more details. Here

Group Travel

Group Travel

Q. What is the minimum number of people for a group?

A.

10 people is the minimum number of people for a group.

Q. What arrangements can you make for groups?

A.

We can take care of all air and land arrangements.  Our services also include proposals, sourcing, contracts, guest registrations, site inspections, on-site support, and post-event surveys as needed.

Q. How do you qualify for group airline bookings?

A.

10 or more passengers need to fly the same itinerary in order to quality.

Q. Do you only offer package tours with both land and air arrangements?

A.

No, we can arrange air or land only if preferred.

Q. Do you have any prearranged tours we can go on?

A.

We do not have any prearranged tours at this time.  If you have a group of 10 or more though and are interested in going to Japan, please reach out to us and we can make an itinerary based on your requests.

 

Q. What type of group trips can you arrange?

A.

We arrange trips for any type of groups ranging from educational, corporate, and leisure travel.

Other

Other/General

Q. Travel arrangements with pets

A.

Pets may have various restrictions depending on their type. Please have the necessary information ready at the time of booking and our consultants will be happy to answer your questions. Depending on the nature of your question, a fee may apply.

Q. I would like to periodically compile and review business travel expenses.

A.

Kintetsu offers approximately 80 different types of travel reports to help you identify expenses and set up reduction measures.

Q. Do you offer car service arrangements such as limousines? Can you make arrangements outside the U.S.?

A.

Although we have a worldwide network of partners, we may not be able to provide service in all countries. Please understand that it may take several days for us to respond to your request.

Q. I just learned about an incident on the news. I want to check if any of our employees are in the vicinity.

A.

As part of our risk management measures, we can verify the travel itineraries of your company’s travelers.

Q. VIPs are coming from Japan, so please recommend a restaurant.

A.

In principle, we do not offer restaurant-only referrals.

Q. Do you offer travel insurance?

A.

Please visit our insurance page.