Originally Posted by
TonyBurr
You may see those seats/flights available on the US flight on the USAirways or ANA websites, but that does not mean they are available to United. Even if you see them on an *A partner it may not necessarily be available for miles purchase by another partner. Each airlines hold free seats for their Frequent Flyers and releases seats to partners. So, the UA agents may not be wrong.
If one sees US award inventory on ANA site, then the chances are it's being blocked.
US doesn't set a special award inventory for each *A partners AFAIK.
There are cases when one partner airline can issue mileage ticket while other partner airline cannot, but I believe it has more to do with airlines using different GDS system thus few times there's discrepancies in inventory.
If you don't see it on NH sites, then it's most likely US giving more award inventory to its members (which is perfectly fine practice IMHO).