JR Hokkaido will change the contents of the “Higashi Hokkaido Free Pass” and “Kita Hokkaido Free Pass”, tie-up products with ANA, Peach, and AIRDO, starting from April 8, 2012. Confirmation of the company using the coupons will no longer be required, and the only difference between the three companies will be the use of the coupons.
The Hokkaido Free Pass is a JR ticket that allows unlimited rides on ordinary unreserved seats of limited express and ordinary trains within the applicable area, and comes with a set of special benefits.
The 500-yen shopping coupon for use at kiosks, etc. that was previously included in the pass will be replaced with a 1,000-yen coupon that can be used on board each company’s aircraft (ANA only at the ANA FESTA airport kiosk). The “East Hokkaido Free Pass” will be 17,380 yen and the “Kita Hokkaido Free Pass” will be 14,150 yen (both half-price for children; the U25 discount version for those under 25 will be 13,680 yen for the “East” and 11,520 yen for the “Kita”). The “East Hokkaido Free Pass” is available for 4 days and the “Kita Hokkaido Free Pass” is available for 3 days.
The ticket will be sold only at New Chitose Airport Station, and the ticket and boarding information confirmation that was previously available at the time of sale will be eliminated so that tickets can be purchased at reserved-seat ticket vending machines (purchase at the Midori-no-madoguchi counter will no longer be available). However, age verification for the U25 discount will continue, so customers will need to use a talking ticket machine when purchasing tickets with the discount.
However, the benefits such as discounts on buses to and from the airport, car rentals, and other facilities will be continued.
© Source travel watch