Award availability in F
May 30, 2020, 7:21 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 17
ANA now only releasing one seat in F?
Hi all,
longtime reader, first time poster. Wondering if anyone has any insight on something I just noticed. Have been monitoring NH F award space for next year, USA-TYO, and as recently as a couple of weeks ago, it seemed to be the usual pattern. Namely, 2 and occasionally 3 seats in F available with some regularity from ORD-HND, plus a smattering of availability on other routes such as IAD, SFO, and occasionally flights to NRT from US gateways as well.
as of the past week or so, however, it seems like no matter which US gateway one searches, and no matter what dates, there is never more than one F seat available, although multiple gateways have 2 J seats available.
does anyone know what’s going on here? Has NH perhaps changed their philosophy on which seats are released far in advance?
(bottom line, I’m looking to book for 2 travelers in April 2021 and unsure whether to give up and book J seats while they’re still out there, or hold out in case F for 2 has a chance of reappearing.)
Anyone have any thoughts on the subject?
longtime reader, first time poster. Wondering if anyone has any insight on something I just noticed. Have been monitoring NH F award space for next year, USA-TYO, and as recently as a couple of weeks ago, it seemed to be the usual pattern. Namely, 2 and occasionally 3 seats in F available with some regularity from ORD-HND, plus a smattering of availability on other routes such as IAD, SFO, and occasionally flights to NRT from US gateways as well.
as of the past week or so, however, it seems like no matter which US gateway one searches, and no matter what dates, there is never more than one F seat available, although multiple gateways have 2 J seats available.
does anyone know what’s going on here? Has NH perhaps changed their philosophy on which seats are released far in advance?
(bottom line, I’m looking to book for 2 travelers in April 2021 and unsure whether to give up and book J seats while they’re still out there, or hold out in case F for 2 has a chance of reappearing.)
Anyone have any thoughts on the subject?
May 30, 2020, 8:08 pm
#17
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: WAS/ Silver Spring, MD,USA
Programs: UA/AA
Posts: 857
Why not take what you can get now and then try to upgrade if F opens up later on?
At least you are then assured of getting where you want to go.
I have no idea pertaining to the philosophy of ANA regarding the release of F awards.
At least you are then assured of getting where you want to go.
I have no idea pertaining to the philosophy of ANA regarding the release of F awards.
May 30, 2020, 8:12 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
Hi all,
longtime reader, first time poster. Wondering if anyone has any insight on something I just noticed. Have been monitoring NH F award space for next year, USA-TYO, and as recently as a couple of weeks ago, it seemed to be the usual pattern. Namely, 2 and occasionally 3 seats in F available with some regularity from ORD-HND, plus a smattering of availability on other routes such as IAD, SFO, and occasionally flights to NRT from US gateways as well.
as of the past week or so, however, it seems like no matter which US gateway one searches, and no matter what dates, there is never more than one F seat available, although multiple gateways have 2 J seats available.
does anyone know what’s going on here? Has NH perhaps changed their philosophy on which seats are released far in advance?
(bottom line, I’m looking to book for 2 travelers in April 2021 and unsure whether to give up and book J seats while they’re still out there, or hold out in case F for 2 has a chance of reappearing.)
Anyone have any thoughts on the subject?
longtime reader, first time poster. Wondering if anyone has any insight on something I just noticed. Have been monitoring NH F award space for next year, USA-TYO, and as recently as a couple of weeks ago, it seemed to be the usual pattern. Namely, 2 and occasionally 3 seats in F available with some regularity from ORD-HND, plus a smattering of availability on other routes such as IAD, SFO, and occasionally flights to NRT from US gateways as well.
as of the past week or so, however, it seems like no matter which US gateway one searches, and no matter what dates, there is never more than one F seat available, although multiple gateways have 2 J seats available.
does anyone know what’s going on here? Has NH perhaps changed their philosophy on which seats are released far in advance?
(bottom line, I’m looking to book for 2 travelers in April 2021 and unsure whether to give up and book J seats while they’re still out there, or hold out in case F for 2 has a chance of reappearing.)
Anyone have any thoughts on the subject?
I was the only one in F on the LAX-NRT segment.
Jun 6, 2020, 2:34 pm
#19
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 17
Figured I’d report back in case it’s of interest or use to anyone else. After monitoring next year’s flights for a week and seeing the same pattern reported above, 24 hours ago things changed back to how they used to be. I again see 2 seats available in F on at least a handful of dates, where previously there was only 1. Was able to change my previously booked seats in J to F with little fuss. (Now I just need Virgin Atlantic to stay out of liquidation. But that’s another matter.)
Perhaps someone at NH is doing a little A/B testing with award availability right now. Anyway, if anybody else is looking for 2 seats next year, they’re back again. Hope this data is helpful to someone.
Perhaps someone at NH is doing a little A/B testing with award availability right now. Anyway, if anybody else is looking for 2 seats next year, they’re back again. Hope this data is helpful to someone.
Jun 11, 2020, 6:07 pm
#20
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 14
Figured I’d report back in case it’s of interest or use to anyone else. After monitoring next year’s flights for a week and seeing the same pattern reported above, 24 hours ago things changed back to how they used to be. I again see 2 seats available in F on at least a handful of dates, where previously there was only 1. Was able to change my previously booked seats in J to F with little fuss. (Now I just need Virgin Atlantic to stay out of liquidation. But that’s another matter.)
Perhaps someone at NH is doing a little A/B testing with award availability right now. Anyway, if anybody else is looking for 2 seats next year, they’re back again. Hope this data is helpful to someone.
Perhaps someone at NH is doing a little A/B testing with award availability right now. Anyway, if anybody else is looking for 2 seats next year, they’re back again. Hope this data is helpful to someone.
Jun 18, 2020, 8:31 am
#21
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 42
I'd been tracking and then booked a trip for next April: IAD-HND. I was able to get two seats in F on the same day ex-US, but as you noted there was only one seat available on return. For the flights I've been tracking, this does not seem to have changed recently. It may be that they are continuing this for certain routes or that they have not yet returned to prior practice for next April.
Jul 23, 2020, 5:23 am
#22
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 796
Looking to try NH F from a European gateway, either FRA, LHR or MUC...trip would be in December with AV miles.
only thing is that AV change/cancellation fees are very high (only waived until for flights until October) and I want to be able to be flexible in rebooking. what if Japan doesn't allow arrivals even at the end of the year? Also Lifemiles redeposit takes about 2 weeks...want to have the flexibility to rebook something else last minute.
How is ANA about releasing last minute O or I class space from Europe?
only thing is that AV change/cancellation fees are very high (only waived until for flights until October) and I want to be able to be flexible in rebooking. what if Japan doesn't allow arrivals even at the end of the year? Also Lifemiles redeposit takes about 2 weeks...want to have the flexibility to rebook something else last minute.
How is ANA about releasing last minute O or I class space from Europe?
Jul 23, 2020, 6:37 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
Looking to try NH F from a European gateway, either FRA, LHR or MUC...trip would be in December with AV miles.
only thing is that AV change/cancellation fees are very high (only waived until for flights until October) and I want to be able to be flexible in rebooking. what if Japan doesn't allow arrivals even at the end of the year? Also Lifemiles redeposit takes about 2 weeks...want to have the flexibility to rebook something else last minute.
How is ANA about releasing last minute O or I class space from Europe?
only thing is that AV change/cancellation fees are very high (only waived until for flights until October) and I want to be able to be flexible in rebooking. what if Japan doesn't allow arrivals even at the end of the year? Also Lifemiles redeposit takes about 2 weeks...want to have the flexibility to rebook something else last minute.
How is ANA about releasing last minute O or I class space from Europe?
I find that searching today, for 3-14 days out will give you a rough idea. In searching for Asia-US flights I see the occasional NH F seat pop up. Only once have I seen 2 F seats listed.
Jul 23, 2020, 7:09 am
#24
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 796
I guess it depends when in December. Before Dec 15th, probably more availability.
I find that searching today, for 3-14 days out will give you a rough idea. In searching for Asia-US flights I see the occasional NH F seat pop up. Only once have I seen 2 F seats listed.
I find that searching today, for 3-14 days out will give you a rough idea. In searching for Asia-US flights I see the occasional NH F seat pop up. Only once have I seen 2 F seats listed.
i guess no use worrying about it now, just take things one day at a time as things are changing constantly during these unprecedented times...hard to tell for F trends looking at FRA right now because its a Dreamliner and MUC has been suspended for now...LHR has quite good availability in I and O class in the next 2 weeks, so hopefully that trend continues for the next few months...or it could be just that the flights are so empty now that they release award inventory. who knows...
but would be great to be able to try new F or C out of LHR.
Aug 29, 2020, 12:41 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
Very lucky. These days, I doubt NH would honor an F award issued by Lifemiles.
Aug 29, 2020, 3:33 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
Sep 3, 2020, 9:44 am
#28
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: LEJ
Programs: BA GGL IHG PlatAMB HH Dia
Posts: 344
There is no guarantee that a cancelled award ticket will be again bookable as an award bcs it depends how the flight is booked at that time.
Sep 14, 2020, 1:48 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970