We usually fly United BTV/EWR/NRT, purchasing the least expensive economy tickets on United's site. Currently we are both United Silver (and star alliance silver obviously)

I've seen good ANA code share flight options, but have never been able to find an ANA rep who said we could select seats on ANA after making the reservation on United.

Do I understand what I'm reading above? Have things changed? Can one break through to an ANA rep and get seats after trusting that it will happen since the United site says something to the effect of - sorry we cannot make seat reservations for you...

What about earning miles? At silver, if we purchase from UA site an itin that includes an ANA flight, we still earn on UA's lousy new system?

Thanks,