All Nippon Airways Mileage Club - UA elites on ANA

Do UA elites (Premier Exec here) get auto premium economy or not? I'm thinking probably not but it's worth a try. I would like to try ANA on my next LAX>NRT route.

I am an ANA mileage club member, but with no status, fyi.

No, Premium Y on NH is a completely separate class of service. Pre-selection only available to Y fare bucket seats, and on-the-day selection only available to NH elites.

Sometimes, if the Y section is full, they will upgrade Star elites to PY. Or, according to some, if they just feel like it. But the official policy is that Star elites are not entitled to sit in Premium Y.

No, Premium Y on NH is a completely separate class of service. Pre-selection only available to Y fare bucket seats, and on-the-day selection only available to NH elites.

Sometimes, if the Y section is full, they will upgrade Star elites to PY. Or, according to some, if they just feel like it. But the official policy is that Star elites are not entitled to sit in Premium Y.

Thanks for the reply. Do you know if an economy seat on ANA will be pretty tight for a 6'3" guy? I think that the service/food/entertainment are probably better on ANA economy. But is it worth the space giveaway?

Thanks for the reply. Do you know if an economy seat on ANA will be pretty tight for a 6'3" guy? I think that the service/food/entertainment are probably better on ANA economy. But is it worth the space giveaway?

UA E+ is much better seat than ANA but service is ANA +

I'm a UA elite who now really only travels on NH/ANA to Japan due to the Haneda overnight flights from LAX.

My company does book PY most of the time but lately the PY fare seems to have only the higher farecode in PY available so I've been in Y. Suggest you get a bulkhead/exit row - bulkhead you risk a baby bassinet possibly moving you but legroom is much better.

On Premium Economy as others stated it is a different farecode and a different cabin with different seats, though the meal service is standard Y meal service (which sad enough to say is better than most UA domestic F or Intl Biz meals). I've been "upgraded" multiple times to PY from Y but don't ever expect it. It will happen automatically normally anytime from 24 hours or so prior to the flight. You will notice your seat changes into a seat in PY. Again it's NOT a benefit to Star Gold - it's purely NH needs to fill the Y cabin and when they do move people into PY NH Elites go first then Star Golds - but I've seen random people also get moved.

I'm HND-LAX Tue Night/Wed AM - Looking at the load (Y looks fairly full) there is a chance I will get moved - but I also don't expect it and won't be disappointed if it doesn't happen. If you want a better seat fly UA E+ - if you want a better journey minus the seat fly NH (e.g. flights into HND for me = more time at home with family ; less days away for a Japan trip, this alone is a huge reason I no longer fly UA to NRT)

The strange thing is that 3 times, I've moved from Y to C (SFO-NRT x2, NRT-LHR), skipping PY altogether, so even Y to PY isn't always guaranteed.

I'm a UA elite who now really only travels on NH/ANA to Japan due to the Haneda overnight flights from LAX.

My company does book PY most of the time but lately the PY fare seems to have only the higher farecode in PY available so I've been in Y. Suggest you get a bulkhead/exit row - bulkhead you risk a baby bassinet possibly moving you but legroom is much better.



Does ANA charge for exit row or bulkhead?

Does ANA charge for exit row or bulkhead?

it's FOC ^

it's FOC ^


Was I the only one who had to spend a couple of minutes to figure out what "FOC" meant???;)

Now let's hope they don't follow in UA's footsteps and make it a "My Choice".

Do UA elites (Premier Exec here) get auto premium economy or not? I'm thinking probably not but it's worth a try. I would like to try ANA on my next LAX>NRT route.

I am an ANA mileage club member, but with no status, fyi.

I am a United Million Miler I did not receive any special treatment and certainly not a Premium Economy upgrade on my Europe-Japan-Europe flights. I was on their flights many times.

Their Premium seats are not many and they want to sell them.
Quite understandable in our days of Economic slump.

You will be really lucky if you get a op-up.

:rolleyes:

I can't find this information online (http://www.ana.co.jp/wws/japan/e/local/int/reservation/beginner/asr/index.html) and calling the US reservation number yielded "do it on the web" answer.

What is their exit seat assignment policy? Are you allowed to do it in advance? Or, it has to be assigned at the 24 hour check-in window? On TPAC, is it usually easy to get an exit seat?

Thanks.

I am *G with CO and no, there seem to be no benefits during seat selection.

You can select seats at any time online up to three (I think) days before departure and then again 24h before during online check in. I guess seat selection can vary but my JFK-NRT leg had no aisle seats available almost a month out... not sure if emergency seats get released during check in but certainly aren't easy to come by from my experience.

Slightly off topic, but the head rests in Y on their new 773 made it the most painful transpac crossing for me... the CX hard shell seat seems comfy in comparison.

Do not, at all, get exit row on the NH 763. There is a bulkhead that is very close, and makes it worse than a regular seat.

Do not, at all, get exit row on the NH 763. There is a bulkhead that is very close, and makes it worse than a regular seat.

That is my experience as well, and seatguru provided incorrect information. I had emailed seatguru about that mistake and they never changed that information.

The old NH 763 (the one with old non 777 style overhead bins, without ClubANA style seats, also no PTV) though has unlimited legroom for exit row.

The new NH 763 (the one with 777 style overhead bins) had build a wall in front of exit row.

The best seat for that plane in Y is row 15 bulkhead, but it has to be requested. At HKG checkin, the agent has to talk with the supervisor (she said star gold request bulkhead) in order to release bulkhead seats.

I was also upgraded from Y (very very cheap fare) to PY on HND-LAX at the gate two weeks ago. That was a good surprise ^
I also started flying with ANA since they started overnight flights to HND. It's much much better.
StarAlliance lounge at TB LAX and ANA lounge at HND are also better than United Club. They have plenty of food and alcohol.

E+ itself might be better than ANA Y seat slightly (but as you know UA's personal entertainment system is almost non-existant). Otherwise, ANA's service and meals are way better than UA's sadly. I don't understand why UA's fare is the same as ANA's... I feel like I was robbed when I flew UA in Y :p
ANA is very different form UA. Even the Y's bento meal comes with miso soup ^
If I had a choice between UA business Washoku-zen and ANA economy Bento meal, I would simply choose ANA's.

I was also upgraded from Y (very very cheap fare) to PY on HND-LAX at the gate two weeks ago. That was a good surprise ^
I also started flying with ANA since they started overnight flights to HND. It's much much better.
StarAlliance lounge at TB LAX and ANA lounge at HND are also better than United Club. They have plenty of food and alcohol.

E+ itself might be better than ANA Y seat slightly (but as you know UA's personal entertainment system is almost non-existant). Otherwise, ANA's service and meals are way better than UA's sadly. I don't understand why UA's fare is the same as ANA's... I feel like I was robbed when I flew UA in Y :p
ANA is very different form UA. Even the Y's bento meal comes with miso soup ^
If I had a choice between UA business Washoku-zen and ANA economy Bento meal, I would simply choose ANA's.

It all sounds great if I wasn't 6'3". I would switch in a heartbeat since all the EQM & bonus miles are the same for a UA 1P. Bummer...I'm tall.

Have a flight LAX-HND tonight with some friends. Two of us (*G) were upgraded to PE and the third (no-status) wasn't. We were also on super cheap fares and actually a codeshare flight number.

Have a flight LAX-HND tonight with some friends. Two of us (*G) were upgraded to PE and the third (no-status) wasn't. We were also on super cheap fares and actually a codeshare flight number.

At what point did you get upgraded? Online check in or airport?

We are on the same flight tonight - i don't see any changes in our seat assignment when looked into online check in.

(and if you are lucky we'll stay back in E- with two toddlers who may not appreciate the change of their sleep routine - but just in case keep a safe distance from bulkhead :p)

At what point did you get upgraded? Online check in or airport?

We are on the same flight tonight - i don't see any changes in our seat assignment when looked into online check in.

(and if you are lucky we'll stay back in E- with two toddlers who may not appreciate the change of their sleep routine - but just in case keep a safe distance from bulkhead :p)

Sorry didn't see your post until now. When I did OLCI, it showed with a pre-assigned seat in Premium Economy. I had made sure to split all 3 of our itineraries into separate PNRs. The two of us who were *G were pre-assigned PE seats and the non-*G was left in E-. Perhaps since you had the two toddlers who weren't *G they left your itinerary alone?

On our return tonight, when we OLCI it stated that the two of us who were *G were moved into a higher class of service and was pre-assigned a seat in C. (I'm pretty sure this was an op-up though because Y was completely full)

Wish I saw earlier that you were on the same flight...could have said "Hi."

I am *G on US and I have a flight on ANA PEK-NRT tomorrow. My US DM number is not showing on the reservation online, and it does not appear like I can add it online. Do I have to call ANA?

A few extra comments - my *gold did not show up in their system. UA number was there but no *gold notation. Eventually after deleting and reentering it came up properly. It was obviously too late.

Overall I'll try to make this my last paid flight on NH.

We requested bulkhead with bassinet at the time of reservation (booked as codeshare with CO) - I was told by nh that advanced assignment was not possible but the request was there and we would get it at the airport. At the time all bulkhead seats were available. When I tried to check in online bulkheads were taken and indeed at the airport we were told nothing was available.

Instead of infant meal the system showed kid meal (luckily we had our own).

31" coach rivals the most torturing coach I've experienced - at least I could use our kids' floor space. I am 6'0 and my knees were firmly against the seat in front when sitting straight.

the overnight return flight nrt-lax had the cabin lights on for 6 out of 9 hours (I kid you not): four in the beginning during meal distribution and two more before arrival. Every time there was a mild bumpiness a lengthy loud announcement was made (versus usual "seat belts on' I hear on ua)

The midnight outbound had a tiny mini sandwich snack at departure and no food for 10 hrs then full dinner prior to arrival at 5 am Tokyo time. The logic here is beyond me.

Staff was mostly useless - smiles and "I am sorry sir" don't help when there is a problem that needs to be addressed.

Some FA were very helpful even carrying our bags but that was really the only highlight.

I'd rather take ua where you don't see a lot of smiles by I can alway find someone empowered to make a decision and if not, write to customer relations for some resolution.
YMMV

31" coach rivals the most torturing coach I've experienced - at least I could use our kids' floor space. I am 6'0 and my knees were firmly against the seat in front when sitting straight.

Just so you know -- the standard pitch in Y on NH's newer 77Ws is 34 inches, and that product will be on the NRT-SFO and NRT-LAX routes in December and January, respectively.

The midnight outbound had a tiny mini sandwich snack at departure and no food for 10 hrs then full dinner prior to arrival at 5 am Tokyo time. The logic here is beyond me.

I assume you flew LAX-HND? I believe the rationale is that you sleep rather soon after boarding, so the order of the meal is reversed. I agree that something more "breakfast"-like would be better prior to arrival. Did you have the bento (chicken teriyaki) or the western selection (seafood and rice)?

Staff was mostly useless - smiles and "I am sorry sir" don't help when there is a problem that needs to be addressed.

What problems did you have that needed addressing?

I assume you flew LAX-HND? I believe the rationale is that you sleep rather soon after boarding, so the order of the meal is reversed. I agree that something more "breakfast"-like would be better prior to arrival. Did you have the bento (chicken teriyaki) or the western selection (seafood and rice)?

That's what we had as well. It was rather odd to get a chicken teriyaki bento prior to landing. My friend had the same complaint on our LAX-HND flight regarding the lights. For an overnight flight, the lights were on way too long.

azepine00, how come you were on a CO ticket? were you on a tricked ticket as well? i don't get why they don't offer advanced seat assignments on codeshares. definitely a pain. i even went to the NH Los Angeles ticketing office to try to get seats and they couldn't do anything other than make a request.

PY upgrades as *G: I've NEVER seen these to/from NRT always to/from HND. Your mileage may vary and NH Elites tend to get them before UA *G's - but most NH elites are already in Biz.

As a *G UA 1K was op-upped with my daughter from Y to C from HNL to HND at the gate. Was quite a nice surprise.

..
azepine00, how come you were on a CO ticket? were you on a tricked ticket as well? i don't get why they don't offer advanced seat assignments on codeshares. definitely a pain. i even went to the NH Los Angeles ticketing office to try to get seats and they couldn't do anything other than make a request.

Yep, booked as CO codeshare. Should have booked UA flight that was also available for about $50 more but i assumed (following often mentioned here line of thought) that NH would be better with kids.

They CAN do seat assignment even to blocked seats (bulkheads and a few others) - i was able to do that on the outbound after extensive arguments and threatening to call the corporate and explain how they intend to put a toddler in a middle seat away from parents. They put me on hold and about 10 min later seats together were found (i could see them from the beginning on expertflyer). However they refused to do that for the return since they could assign a row and a seat across the aisle and claimed that bulkheads could not be assigned in advance but would be available at the airport to those with kids. Ya, right. :rolleyes:

It's the fact that they misled me both on the phone and through info on their website that made me very annoyed - i got neither one of those despite calling them right after booking:
https://www.ana.co.jp/wws/us/e/asw_common/checkin/rakunori/family/faq/index.html


Q Are bassinets provided in the cabin?
A Bassinets are provided on ANA's international flights (excluding some types of aircraft).
Please ask for a seat where a bassinet can be set upon reservation.

Q Are reservations necessary for baby or child meals? Can I request them at the airport or on board on the day of departure?
A Reservations are not accepted at the airport or on board. Please request your special meal when you make your reservation for your departing flight, at least 24 hours prior to departure.

They CAN do seat assignment even to blocked seats (bulkheads and a few others) - i was able to do that on the outbound after extensive arguments and threatening to call the corporate and explain how they intend to put a toddler in a middle seat away from parents. They put me on hold and about 10 min later seats together were found (i could see them from the beginning on expertflyer). However they refused to do that for the return since they could assign a row and a seat across the aisle and claimed that bulkheads could not be assigned in advance but would be available at the airport to those with kids. Ya, right. :rolleyes:

If you have an infant on ANA and request a bassinet you WILL bump people in the bulkhead. I've had this happen 2-3 times but always ended up with a PY seat or an exit row when this happens. Inverse with our now 7 month old I've bumped people in the bulkhead at check in when the agent asked if we wanted the bulkhead + bassinet. ANA like most carriers is NOT saying your seat is firm, they can make changes and WILL at check in time for infants.

As a *G UA 1K was op-upped with my daughter from Y to C from HNL to HND at the gate. Was quite a nice surprise.

Where you on a revenue or award ticket? I am happy to hear ANA does op up UA Star Golds. I usually avoid ANA for revenue tickets and take UA to Japan as I usually do not notice a difference as a UA Star Gold and status does not matter if I am ticketed in business.

If you have an infant on ANA and request a bassinet you WILL bump people in the bulkhead. I've had this happen 2-3 times but always ended up with a PY seat or an exit row when this happens. Inverse with our now 7 month old I've bumped people in the bulkhead at check in when the agent asked if we wanted the bulkhead + bassinet. ANA like most carriers is NOT saying your seat is firm, they can make changes and WILL at check in time for infants.

Forgive me but :rolleyes:.
We spend almost an hour at *G NRT check in arguing the case with several NH agents and I can assure you that we did not get bulkhead/bassinet. The best they could offer was two seats which was a bit short for four of us.