Originally Posted by paperwastage

generally ANA and United are jointventure partners for CONUSA-Japan, so the fare rules availability should be same
are the fare buckets different (i.e. ANA flight only has A available while United flight has cheaper R available?) it's odd; looks like we have to book through ANA b/c UA isn't selling the return flight PEK-HND-ORD.

do you have status on United or ANA? which mileage program are you posting the miles to? No status

generally the food/service is better on ANA, though ANA PE food is same as Economy (they do get leftover business desserts). United PE food is different than Economy

which airport are you flying from? on some airports, ANA offer PE lounge access (but not if you fly on United)