Originally Posted by
Tofino87
just to advise - lack of middle name on NH *IS* an issue apparently. So yes, they’d need to cancel and re-issue the ticket.
generally speaking, availability is back on the system almost instantaneously. But, as previously mentioned, this is not always the case.
I have experienced this at least 7/8 times in the past 12 months, and it is why I am VERY SPECIFIC when I talk to VS agents (most of whom are extremely good and diligent), that they must please ensure they check the middle name is on there before the ticket is issued.
Weirdly, on a BA issues JL ticket, I had no problems with lack of middle name.
I've flown NH for years without my middle name - in fact, I've never issued a ticket, ever, with my middle name included, on any airline. Now I have noticed a few instances where a check-in agent will add my middle name without being prompted as it may then show up on my boarding pass - but I've never been denied check-in or boarding on any airline, including NH.
Now as to award searches, I created a new NH program account, logged in, and checked every date from Oct 1 to Nov 30 from LA to TYO/TPE/TSA for award space and literally every date was "waitlisted" in business - and that's for NH members, so it seems highly unlikely to ever find space for VS redemption on busier JPN-USA routes.