Sure, but logistic is going to be difficult, as you would need to put at least MEX-NRT-EWR on one ticket to minimize any issue. You will also needing to fly 2-3 days considering EWR to MEX to NRT to EWR do not line up timing wise (I think ANA has an after midnight flight from MEX, and arriving the following morning (+1 day) - leaving on a Tuesday from EWR, you would not get to NRT until Thursday morning.

A regular coach ticket is not going to be cheap for EWR-MEX-NRT-EWR.

Testing requirement will be in effect soon on flights back to the US.

You would need to purchase an EWR-MEX ticket and a separate MEX-NRT-EWR ticket (presumably on NH). You would have to hope that NH sees that second ticket as a NRT transit and you are at its mercy. If it goes wrong, you are stuck in MEX. Same problem for you if your xEWR flight goes sideways and you no show for your second ticket.

In these times with limited options, I see traveling on separate tickets and on complex routings as risky. If it goes wrong, your wife is left standing at NRT. Moreover, she presumably needs to be ticketed on NH as well if you are to accompany her.

If your return to the US is on or after the 26th, both of you will require negative tests.

Do you think you can buy a MEX-EWR ticket with a connection in NRT? That seems like it would be really hard to get ticketed.

As this query is about Japan/NRT travel controls, will move this to Japan forum

WineCountryUA
UA coModerator

Buying a separate ticket to a third country won’t work because UA will consider that your ticket with them ends in NRT. Since you are not permitted to enter Japan, you would be denied boarding.

Yes, at the low low price of a full Y, a sample economy class search in early Feb came back with a price $6,763.92 for MEX-NRT-EWR.

One other thing to note, and this would be useful even without any kind of border closure: airlines have no obligations to protect passengers on any kind of separate tickets (e.g. two one-ways). In OP's case, even in a post-Covid world without current restrictions, any kind of long delay on the outbound EWR to NRT leg may result in missing the return flight, as UA has been using different planes for inbound and outbound flights to/from NRT.

If you are already married, you may be able to obtain dispensation from the Philippines government to travel via their consulate. In normal times, if you were to travel with your Philippines citizen spouse and bring proof of marriage, you could obtain a different, long-stay visa than the standard tourist visa. May be worth looking into if you have time.

Seems to me that Guam would be the ideal place to meet. I believe there are still flights from MNL-GUM going. Once in Guam, you are likely going to be forced to stay in a government supervised hotel for a day, but you can then fly together from Guam to the Mainland.

I have booked 3 separate tickets. EWR-MEX on UA, then MEX-NRT using miles on NH, and then NRT-EWR. Since it is all within Star Alliance, I would think ANA could see the UA ticket and qualify me for transit in NRT. Does this seem like it would not work?

pre-pandemic, likely would work

now, who knows?

past reports say probably okay: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/32859692-post4.html

really wouldn't recommend doing this - NRT-EWR is usually empty, let your wife enjoy J and meet her at EWR, why expose yourself to more risks (health, and misconnect risks) when you dont need to?
if you misconnect, who's picking your wife from airport?

i don't know if unitd's concierge still works at newark - https://united.globalairportconcierge.com/services.php

Perhaps they like to be together.

Don't forget that OP also wants to fly... somewhere, anywhere. I know the feeling.

That is right really want to fly. Also she has many bags so would want to be there to help her at baggage claim. I am going to take my chance on the flights I booked with separate tickets through MEX and hope for the best. Worst case I will have to fly back from MEX to EWR, but it is worth the risk to me.

Just because NH and UA are in the same alliance does not mean they can cross reference passenger ticket information. NH (ANA) at MEX is NOT able to see your separate UA ticket from NRT to EWR.

While I applaud your effort to help your wife move, be prepared to have backup plans in the likely event of denied boarding at MEX - e.g. return flight back to EWR from MEX.

I don't know which flights you booked, but note that overnight connections at NRT currently aren't permitted.

Can you book a different flight which arrives to EWR at approximately the same time and meet her at baggage claims?

MEX-NRT arrives 6am, NRT-EWR departs 5pm, it's fine (barring misconnect risks). enjoy the NH Suites lounge (only one open right now)

UA78 seems to be arriving at Terminal B, but that's no guarantee (3:45pm, though it can be 30-40 min early)

OP will need to arrive from a int'l flight as well in the same terminal (due to customs/bags requirement)


nearest flight would be UA MEX-EWR arriving 1:15pm, but that's been arriving 50min early, and loitering at customs would give you strange looks (really really dont recommend doing that)
or B6 SDQ-EWR arriving 3:28pm, but that's often late



too bad UA doesn't operate NRT-IAD now - wife would arrive midfield concourse (bags not as complicated there), OP can meet airside and fly to EWR

for me, i would definitely recommend looking at arrivals concierge service over flying EWR-MEX-NRT-EWR. oh well