Boringbarry

I've read this thread and found the information very useful.

I'm trying to book a flight about a year out, with pretty flexible dates. I understand that flights open up 330 days out. Looking 330 days out today, I see an availability to Tokyo. However, I can't book a return flight as I understand since there's no award availability 331+ days out. Are you able to book a non-ANA return flight for 331+ days out, and then pay the change fee once a return flight opens up?

Thanks

craigthemif

I hope not... but I wouldn't be surprised if ANA finally said "enough is enough" regarding the clearly unbalanced situation of VS members grabbing much of ANA's premium cabin award space whilst I can't see too many ANA members booking rewards on VS metal.

When these things don't net off to close to zero, freezes are often put on partnerships. i.e. Avianca Lifemiles and Lufthansa for example...

aquanine

No. Virgin Atlantic will not allow you to book any flight 331+ days out, period.

Boringbarry

Are you able to book the outbound and inbound flight for the same day, or would basically have to wait for +329 (or +328) days on the outbound, and then +330 for the return? I.E am I able to book both flights together even if they are not possibly flyable since the outbound would be occuring during the time of the inbound?

Petdog

Search this thread and the ANA forum for “dummy.” There’s lots of discussion on booking dummy flights so you can lock in one way while waiting for the other to open up.

ssg10

Guess what, folks?

I was using SMS contact instead of toll free phone calls, since VS provides US customer a SMS agent. I could not find the seats with SMS agent. BUT, i called in amd the agent could dind the seats amd I booked it!

So, do not use their SMS.

manutd123

Outside of the LHR-HND flights, are there any others which carry the new 212 Business Class seat The Room?

Petdog

See this thread for the latest: New 777-300ER (77W) F/C/PY/Y Seating (consolidated)

fenix8o0

Just went through a painful 1.5h SMS booking to secure F seats. Apparently the agent wasn't able to see any Y seats on ANA even though they are available on UA and Aeroplan's search. I had to find another F flight on the fly (no pun intended) to secure the RT requirement.

Toonshorty

I put a hold on a reservation for FRA - HND in July next year last weekend but then got a bit bogged down in work and forgot to confirm it. Phoned back about 12 hours later and my business class return had gone, put another hold on a new booking for F both ways and waited to see if anything would come up to save me having to buy more miles for the return. Some availability in J popped up again today so managed to get everything booked for 107,500 miles and £210 in tax - can't argue with that at all.

Living in the UK, LHR is easier for me but the sheer lack of availability whatsoever and increased taxes makes FRA a much better choice.

Was a pretty painless experience all in all, can't really fault it.

Fingers crossed the new layout will be in operation to/from FRA by July 2020.

Lewis42

Is this for two people or just one?

Toonshorty

That was for one person, although from what I've heard finding availability for 2+ seats with ANA can be quite challenging. I know when I was looking on the united site, a lot of dates only had one ticket available in F or J.

You should be able to use the UA checker to find availability for two people though. If you aren't bothered about the new seats then there may also be options out of DUS.

seigex

Is it possible to book an open jaw for this redemption? LAX to NRT then NRT back to SFO for example?

blitzen

yes

seigex

Thanks. I figured but the VS rep said they don't allow open jaws anymore. Did a HUCA and the next person didn't seem to have an issue changing my flight from direct to open jaw.