All Nippon Airways Mileage Club - Mileage Run

I'm about 20k short of Platinum this year and have decided it's worth doing a mileage run. I'm looking at NRT to LHR at 80,000 yen being the best bang for buck run and some other domestic runs. Any other suggestions?

If you want to do this Mileage run.

NRT-LHR-NRT would not give you enough for 20k. You would have to do it twice and still be short.

I would suggest a Domestic Mileage run. If you have a return ticket to some other destination other than Japan. Open Jaw basically.

Buy those Japan Star Pass.

Fly HND-OKA-HND-OKA-HND 2x times. And go early in the morning to secure Premium Class Seat upgrades. This would cost about 100000-130000yen and only two days of flying. This will net you enough points for the 20k PP you need. You won't deal with jetlag, but you will waste one weekend on an airplane.

Each sector will net you 984(HND-OKA) x 1.5(for upgrading to Premium Class you get 1.5) = 1476 x 2(domestic gets double PP) = 2952 (assuming you can upgrade to Premium Class)

2952(per sector) x 8(sectors) = 23616 (your final PP)

Here is the link http://www.staralliance.com/en/travellers/fare_products/japan_airpass_faq.html

Also each sector is 11000yen plus tax.

After calculation you need to be able to upgrade 5/8 sectors to make 20k+ PP's

You're right i would need to do it twice.

I did explore that option too but it wasn't long before i ruled it out as i'm living and working in Japan which kind of means i'm not eligible for the Star Alliance Japan Airpass. Plus i believe you need to be coming off an international flight in order to use it.

Out of interest, are their any Japanese sites you're aware of apart from http://anasuperflyers.choco-moco.net/News/ANA/ that have any talk in Japanese about ANA?

When you say Premium Class Seat upgrades are you referring to when you check in and you pay the difference to upgrade? Everytime i'd asked this they quoted some crazy amount and i either declined or used upgrade points.

You're right i would need to do it twice.

I did explore that option too but it wasn't long before i ruled it out as i'm living and working in Japan which kind of means i'm not eligible for the Star Alliance Japan Airpass. Plus i believe you need to be coming off an international flight in order to use it.

Out of interest, are their any Japanese sites you're aware of apart from http://anasuperflyers.choco-moco.net/News/ANA/ that have any talk in Japanese about ANA?

When you say Premium Class Seat upgrades are you referring to when you check in and you pay the difference to upgrade? Everytime i'd asked this they quoted some crazy amount and i either declined or used upgrade points.

I live and work in Japan also. But I always have a open jaw 1 year open ticket. BKK-KIX-BKK. So I can use it at anytime.

You don't need to be coming off an international flight to use it. Well basically I guess this would rule out anyways since you don't have a Open Jaw. Those upgrade at the gate (domestic or at check-in) should cost 5000yen or 7000yen per sector if seats are open.

Websites...I'm not sure. I don't really look for any. I'll be short this year also.

I live and work in Japan also. But I always have a open jaw 1 year open ticket. BKK-KIX-BKK. So I can use it at anytime.

You don't need to be coming off an international flight to use it. Well basically I guess this would rule out anyways since you don't have a Open Jaw. Those upgrade at the gate (domestic or at check-in) should cost 5000yen or 7000yen per sector if seats are open.

Websites...I'm not sure. I don't really look for any. I'll be short this year also.

So you just bought a full refundable ticket? So that when you plan to do your mileage run you just do that then come back and use the Japan pass? Do you know how strict they are on the residing in Japan clause?

Domestic prices are expensive unless you get in a month or two before. Y+ is far too high lately hence i've been trying to look at flying a couple of international flights with them. I'll keep trying with the requesting paid upgrades at the checkin counter.

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How about ITM-NRT-SIN-NRT-ITM for 34000YEN?
You can earn 5756 Points for this.

Or how about OKA-NRT-IAD-NRT-OKA?
You can earn 13402 points.

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How about ITM-NRT-SIN-NRT-ITM for 34000YEN?
You can earn 5756 Points for this.

Or how about OKA-NRT-IAD-NRT-OKA?
You can earn 13402 points.

Ok OKA-NRT-IAD-NRT-OKA i'm seeing 13,402 due to booking under international flight so 100% mileage points if i fly Eco-wari14WEB so 70% of the mileage for international and 100% for domestic for around 108,000 yen. Better use of money!

ITM-NRT-SIN-NRT-ITM (1120 domestic) and (4636 international) for around 45,910 im seeing it for.

It would seem the international legs are the ones to stick to. I think i'll have to take a couple of days of work (next time impossible) fly to the US stay a couple of nights in some cheap accommodation then return. All the cheap fares seems to require 2-3 nights stay. Returning the same day bumps the fare to 300,000 yen.

Also these paid upgrades, i fly a lot from NGO to CTS and Premium Class normal has a max of 3 people out of 8 or more so there's always free space. Is there something i'm not asking correctly at the airport checkin when i'm checkin my luggage? Maybe i'm using the right lingo? What do you say exactly in order to get these upgrades for 5,000-7,000 yen? Any idea how much that route should be? Should i be saying something in Japanese not English? If so what? If you get a paid upgrade do you get the mileage and all benefits of premium class? If i was upgraded what mileage would i get for that route? It seems a steal of deal that i wish i knew about sooner.

Should i be saying something in Japanese not English? If so what? If you get a paid upgrade do you get the mileage and all benefits of premium class? If i was upgraded what mileage would i get for that route? It seems a steal of deal that i wish i knew about sooner.

When you checkin at the airport. Ask the airport attendant to upgrade to Premium Class. With any ticket (international connection, award, discount, full fare and etc...) You should be able to upgrade to Premium Class for 5000-7000yen. They will check if they have space or not. If you are on an award ticket of course you get no benefits, but on any paid ticket you should get that extra 50% bonus :cool:

If you can fly ITM-NRT-IAD(or JFK makes very little difference)-NRT-ITM twice. During Nov 1st to Dec 17th. You can fly roundtrip for roughly 61500yen. This is using Super Eco Wari with a Saturday night requried. Two roundtrips would be needed for this one also. You might have to take one day off twice on Monday's to get it done.

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As futami said, the Super EcoWari fare is more reasnable.
For example, the fare for OKA-HND/NRT-IAD-NRT-OKA is 64000YEN excluding any taxes, departing OKA on November 12 and leaving IAD on November 16.
The fare varies depending on the dates, so I recommend exploring the booking tools a lot.

As to NGO-CTS flight, if you take a Tabiwari/Tokuwari fare and upgrade it to the Premium Class, you will earn 1535 Points, which is 2.5 times of the basic milage 614 miles.

The paid upgrade will cost fixed 7000YEN.
When you ask for a paid upgrade at check-in, a staff first will ask you if you prefer to use four Upgrade Points for this.
If you upgrade using the Upgrade Points, you will not get the extra mile Points.

There is no difference in service between a full fare Premium Class pax and a paid upgrade pax.

So, enjoy your Premium Class flight.

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Reading this thread again, I found I have misunderstood that Simmo had never upgraded to Premium Class, but Simmo had.

When checking-in, if you ask a staff by saying "YUURYOU DE PREMIUM CLASS NI UPGRADE SHITAI DESU." and show 7000YEN to the staff.
Then, the staff will perfectly understand for the paid upgrade.

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Reading this thread again, I found I have misunderstood that Simmo had never upgraded to Premium Class, but Simmo had.

When checking-in, if you ask a staff by saying "YUURYOU DE PREMIUM CLASS NI UPGRADE SHITAI DESU." and show 7000YEN to the staff.
Then, the staff will perfectly understand for the paid upgrade.

Ah i understand now. Thanks for that. Only from what fumitani said you get the full premium points so

Base points 612 * class fare 150% * route (*2) + 400 boarding points= 2242

I'm not sure how you got only 1535 points. I'd be interested to know which one i'd get.

7,000 yen is a cheap as though considering what you get.

Also have either of you heard about gaining access to the ANA Lounge First (as they call it) in NRT when fly Y by using money? The lounge is much nicer and quieter than the Club ANA lounge.

Thankyou for all your help icchan4970 and fumitani. Might see you in the air or lounge sometime!

Also have either of you heard about gaining access to the ANA Lounge First (as they call it) in NRT when fly Y by using money? The lounge is much nicer and quieter than the Club ANA lounge.

You can not gain entry to the ANA NRT F lounge with money(of course excluding if you bought the F ticket ;) ).

There is four ways you can gain entry into there.

1. Fly NH F
2. Fly *A F
3. Have Diamond Status
4. Be guest of NH F, *A F, or Diamond Status.

Yes hopefully we will catch each other one day. I can always guest you into the lounge with my SFC card ;)

Just thought of a fifth way.

5. You can gain entry into there flying SQ Y or C also if you have SQ PPS Solitare status. At check in they will issue you a Lounge Invite to the F side.

Ah i understand now. Thanks for that. Only from what fumitani said you get the full premium points so

Base points 612 * class fare 150% * route (*2) + 400 boarding points= 2242

I'm not sure how you got only 1535 points. I'd be interested to know which one i'd get.

7,000 yen is a cheap as though considering what you get.



You will get those extra 400 boarding points only if you buy a domestic ticket only. The only fare that won't qualify are those Skymate tickets (I assume you are over 22 already :p so you won'T qualify to use these anyways)

So your usual NGO-CTS should net you the 2236 Premium Points (upgraded into Premium Class) (this is what I get after calculations). If you fly normal seats you should get 1624 Premium Points. The difference is 612 per sector so if you fly enough one year maybe u can cut down on Mileage Runs.

Have you considered the SFC card? If you work in Japan and have a bank account in Japan I would get this card before your Platinum Status expires (which should be March 2011) since you qualified for Platinum already. It will give you *G status for about 12000yen a year even if you lose Platinum status!

You will get those extra 400 boarding points only if you buy a domestic ticket only. The only fare that won't qualify are those Skymate tickets (I assume you are over 22 already :p so you won'T qualify to use these anyways)

So your usual NGO-CTS should net you the 2236 Premium Points (upgraded into Premium Class) (this is what I get after calculations). If you fly normal seats you should get 1624 Premium Points. The difference is 612 per sector so if you fly enough one year maybe u can cut down on Mileage Runs.

Have you considered the SFC card? If you work in Japan and have a bank account in Japan I would get this card before your Platinum Status expires (which should be March 2011) since you qualified for Platinum already. It will give you *G status for about 12000yen a year even if you lose Platinum status!

Great finally our calculations match. I just realised I made a mistake in my first post as i'm chasing Platinum again not Diamond. I was probably thinking wishfully when i wrote that post.

Anyway i've looked at the SFC card and i've applied once to get a credit card in Japan as was rejected. I believe getting them is quite difficult. I'm trying to focus on getting the JCB and maybe even Visa or Mastercard card. Do you know how widely accepted Dinners is in Japan? I've never seen their sign up indication a business promotes it.

I'm about to move again at the end of this year so i was thinking i'd wait till i get settled in and get a home telephone. Then apply for a ANA Wide SFC JCB card as this seems to offer the best rates for converting to ANA miles. I'd love a Gold or Dinners but i bet i'll have enough trouble just trying to get a normal one.

Do you recommend I start a bank account with someone in particular in order to help with this application? Any other tips for me?

Also would a SFC get me into the ANA First Lounge?

Well i've successfully managed to be upgraded to premium class a couple of times now by just asking at the checkin. Works really well.

I'm still toying around with the fare checker trying to find cheap flights whilst keeping the number of days away to a minimum. Work is looking pretty full in the coming months so i'm pretty sure taking any days off unless they are publics holidays really isn't realistic unless it's just one day that might be possible. With that in mind i've been playing around with domestic flights or international ones that take around 2-3 days.

I've had no joy in finding any flights that returning within three days to anywhere internationally and i've been looking at four days as i figure if two of those nights are spent on a plane sleeping then it wouldn't be so bad when you weigh up the costs of only one nights accommodation. However so far i've been able to find anything that fits this either.

I'm going to keep searching internationally as this would be cheaper however i fear i'll just end up doing a heap of HND to OKI trips as they seem good value for money.

Let me know if you see any other good flights.

Has anyone looked at star alliance partner airlines?

I was looking at the latest upcoming promo where you get either +200 or +400 points and am wondering if i book a Tabiwari and upgrade it at the airport to premium class, will get +200 or +400 points? I think the answer is in this clause "※「搭乗ポイント」とは、ご搭乗クラスや運賃に応じて付与されるポイントです。詳しくはプレミアムポイント 詳細をご確認ください" but my Japanese isn't quite good enough to fully understand it.

See http://www.ana.co.jp/amc/news/cpn_premipoint0909/index.html

I thought HND to CTS might be a good run to focus on as the fares remain cheap up to 2 weeks in advance and there's plenty of flights to choose from and provided i stay away from morning and evening flights i should be able to buy premium class upgrades. That route even goes down to 12,000 each way. But i know 200-400 more points isn't much but it all helps.

bump.