LAX/DEN - NRT Award Availability?
Sep 7, 2014, 4:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 274
LAX/DEN - NRT Award Availability?
Hi folks,
I'd like to book a business class flight from either LAX or DEN to NRT for myself and my spouse. I've never been on a 787, so this would be a fun first for us!
I'd like to fly next August, and I have enough miles to book right now. But the website shows no availability.
So, I figured I'd ask here--how tough is it to book this leg? I'm flexible on the departure date, but if inventory isn't going to open up, I figure I should start looking at other options.
What do you think, will United release seats on this leg, or do they typically fill up with paying customers? Any advice from you fine folks would be much appreciated.
Thanks very much!
I'd like to book a business class flight from either LAX or DEN to NRT for myself and my spouse. I've never been on a 787, so this would be a fun first for us!
I'd like to fly next August, and I have enough miles to book right now. But the website shows no availability.
So, I figured I'd ask here--how tough is it to book this leg? I'm flexible on the departure date, but if inventory isn't going to open up, I figure I should start looking at other options.
What do you think, will United release seats on this leg, or do they typically fill up with paying customers? Any advice from you fine folks would be much appreciated.
Thanks very much!
Sep 7, 2014, 5:05 pm
#2
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MarcusBWI, I moved your post from the "Ask a Basic Q." thread to create its own thread, as this topic could well garner a number of opinions or suggestions going beyond the purpose of the former thread. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator.
Sep 7, 2014, 5:12 pm
#3
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I'm seeing a similar issue in May. Many other gateway cities to NRT have availability, but the 787 flights are zeroed out in both Y and C on the various dates I can travel (and several around them). I wonder if UA is intentionally making it harder to get an award on the 787?
Sep 7, 2014, 5:56 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 1,155
Hi folks,
I'd like to book a business class flight from either LAX or DEN to NRT for myself and my spouse. I've never been on a 787, so this would be a fun first for us!
I'd like to fly next August, and I have enough miles to book right now. But the website shows no availability.
So, I figured I'd ask here--how tough is it to book this leg? I'm flexible on the departure date, but if inventory isn't going to open up, I figure I should start looking at other options.
What do you think, will United release seats on this leg, or do they typically fill up with paying customers? Any advice from you fine folks would be much appreciated.
Thanks very much!
I'd like to book a business class flight from either LAX or DEN to NRT for myself and my spouse. I've never been on a 787, so this would be a fun first for us!
I'd like to fly next August, and I have enough miles to book right now. But the website shows no availability.
So, I figured I'd ask here--how tough is it to book this leg? I'm flexible on the departure date, but if inventory isn't going to open up, I figure I should start looking at other options.
What do you think, will United release seats on this leg, or do they typically fill up with paying customers? Any advice from you fine folks would be much appreciated.
Thanks very much!
IMO the 787 is really not that much fun. Seats are exactly the same as other sCO widebody aircraft. You'll likely be much better off with ANA's 777-300ER. Much better seats and much better service.
Sep 7, 2014, 6:08 pm
#5
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UA will typically open seats on those routes closer to departure if they are unsold.
Yes, well worth the extra 10,000 miles each way.
Or if you really want to try the 787, fly NH SJC-NRT.
Or if you really want to try the 787, fly NH SJC-NRT.
Sep 7, 2014, 7:14 pm
#7
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OP, I've seen saver space on the 787s before - is your *silver status with United? If so, you can lock something in now and enjoy free routing changes later on. I've flown on the 787 and while the difference in humidity is noticeable and the larger windows are a plus, I would focus on the most comfortable product getting you there. ANA C, as others have suggested, is nice, and even LAX-ICN-NRT on Asiana, with the new A380.
You could even fly the other direction with a stopover in Europe.
Sep 7, 2014, 9:54 pm
#9
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 274
Thanks to everybody who replied. I hadn't even looked at ANA because I assumed the mile cost would be way too high on partner airlines. But for only 10k more per person, it definitely makes a lot of sense. And it looks like premium seats have wide open availability, which is awesome!
Thanks again for the help.
Thanks again for the help.
Sep 7, 2014, 10:29 pm
#10
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Thanks to everybody who replied. I hadn't even looked at ANA because I assumed the mile cost would be way too high on partner airlines. But for only 10k more per person, it definitely makes a lot of sense. And it looks like premium seats have wide open availability, which is awesome!
N.America - Japan, business class, one way, UA - 65K
N.America - Japan, business class, one way, *A - 75K.
Sep 8, 2014, 11:24 am
#13
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I noticed this when i was looking DEN-NRT also. It wasn't even presenting itself as a full award fare booking option. Just GONE! I almost started a thread about this too so I'm glad someone else did. Thanks for all the feedback. Great reminders of work arounds too