A look at the fine print behind the fares on one route.
– CHICAGO TO TOKYO: $1,180
“Super Special Apex” coach fare on United, American, Northwest, Japan Air Lines, Canadian Airlines — all of which depart O’Hare — and Delta, which departs O’Hare and Midway.
Restrictions: Tickets are non-refundable and must be purchased seven days in advance, changes subject to penalty. You must be gone at least six days, measured from the gateway city, and return within three months. The international sector of the flight must take place Monday-Thursday. There are seasonal restrictions but no blackout dates. Unlimited stopovers (defined in this case as a layover of more than 24 hours) are permitted.
Here are two fares that are lower:
$875: On all the carriers listed above. Tickets are three-day advance purchase and are non-refundable. You must stay over a Saturday night, measured from your departure from the gateway city, and return must be within 30 days. The international segment of the trip must take place Monday-Thursday. Tickets must be issued by May 22, and travel must be completed by July 31. There are seasonal restrictions but no blackout dates. No stopovers are permitted. Tickets must show, by way of an insert or a sticker, that travel is at a special fare and subject to special conditions.
$925: Same carriers and restrictions as in the $875 fare, except travel is Friday-Sunday, rather than Monday-Thursday.
And here’s what will cost you more:
$1,280: Same carriers again. This also is a “Super Special Apex” fare, and the same restrictions apply here as in the $1,180 fare above, except travel is Friday-Sunday, rather than Monday-Thursday.
$2,644: Full unrestricted coach fare on the above carriers. No seasonal restrictions and no blackout dates. Stopovers are permitted at a charge of $75 each.
Non-stop options: Daily, on United, American, JAL and Northwest. However, Northwest discontinues its non-stop service from Chicago on June 1. United flights depart at 12:25 and 3:30 p.m.; American’s flight departs at noon, as does JAL’s; and Northwest’s departs at 1:55 p.m.
