ANA (NH) Redemptions using VS Flying Club points - thread locked Sept 2022
Oct 23, 2021, 1:40 am
#1606
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 76
-First Class tickets are usually pretty scarce, but you should be able to find some First and Business class award seats that far in advance. 2 First Class tickets might be tough to get, especially if it's on the Upgraded Suite.
-'1 available at this price' means just 1 ticket is available.
-You should be able to book both tickets on the same phone call.
-If you search on ANA's website, they designate the upgraded Cabins. Business Class shows "The Room," and First shows "The Suite." It looks like they're starting to fly the upgraded Cabin starting in March of next year, that's NH Flight 105 leaving from LAX.
I'd also say United has the best search engine when searching for Star Alliance Partner awards. I also suggest using Expertflyer.com, you can set an email alert for the website to tell you when an award ticket becomes available. That's how I booked 2 of my ANA flights. Good luck.
-'1 available at this price' means just 1 ticket is available.
-You should be able to book both tickets on the same phone call.
-If you search on ANA's website, they designate the upgraded Cabins. Business Class shows "The Room," and First shows "The Suite." It looks like they're starting to fly the upgraded Cabin starting in March of next year, that's NH Flight 105 leaving from LAX.
I'd also say United has the best search engine when searching for Star Alliance Partner awards. I also suggest using Expertflyer.com, you can set an email alert for the website to tell you when an award ticket becomes available. That's how I booked 2 of my ANA flights. Good luck.
Oct 23, 2021, 1:43 am
#1607
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 76
Nothing to add to the previous reply bar saying I agree with what they said about finding 2 First on the same day / flight - there are only like 8 seats in First so "giving away" two of them is very rare - but have seen it happen once.
I have twice nabbed First and Business on same flight and put my partner in Frist as I do not drink, so why waste free booze on me
I hardly slum it in Business anyway, seat becomes a bed etc. - and we would have been in our own "pods" in First anyway, so walking a few steps to talk to the other was no big deal.
Just remember First can come into Business, but Business cannot go into First.
Looking now for end of Sept from LAX to Haneda seeing:
First and Business availability on different flights on 22nd Sept
I have twice nabbed First and Business on same flight and put my partner in Frist as I do not drink, so why waste free booze on me
I hardly slum it in Business anyway, seat becomes a bed etc. - and we would have been in our own "pods" in First anyway, so walking a few steps to talk to the other was no big deal.
Just remember First can come into Business, but Business cannot go into First.
Looking now for end of Sept from LAX to Haneda seeing:
First and Business availability on different flights on 22nd Sept
Last edited by dyrtydave; Oct 23, 2021 at 1:48 am
Oct 23, 2021, 1:46 am
#1608
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 76
Pre-Covid, when NH ran ORD-HND and ORD-NRT daily, I would frequently see 2 and even 3 F award seats available.
Now, with only ORD-NRT operating with pax, only 1 F is released for awards. And only 2 Business award seats released.
NH105 is the 1:00 AM departure! Greatly reduced dining on that flight.
I still find the older NH seats in both Business and First to be outstanding.
dyrtydave, September is still pretty hot in Tokyo. My favorite time to visit is the first half of November.
.
Now, with only ORD-NRT operating with pax, only 1 F is released for awards. And only 2 Business award seats released.
NH105 is the 1:00 AM departure! Greatly reduced dining on that flight.
I still find the older NH seats in both Business and First to be outstanding.
dyrtydave, September is still pretty hot in Tokyo. My favorite time to visit is the first half of November.
.
As for timing of the trip, I'm looking a little early to get a feel of availability, but I'm targeting mid to late October ideally, though early November seems like an option as well based on your recommendation.
Oct 23, 2021, 4:20 pm
#1609
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: LAX/SFO
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Fortune Wings Club Gold
Posts: 358
I've done the reduced dining on NH105 twice in F in old seats. It's not bad food-wise. You can look up the menu in advance on ANA's website. You have the same access to the expensive Hibiki 17 alcohol as daytime flights. And assuming you can get 8 hours of sleep, it is perfect to combat jetlag: leave at bedtime, eat and sleep, arrive in early morning around 5 AM ready for your first day in Tokyo.
Oct 23, 2021, 9:25 pm
#1610
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 200
What's the difference between O and F fare in the context of 120k mile redemptions for round trip first class between US and Japan?
Last edited by alany611; Oct 23, 2021 at 9:41 pm
Oct 23, 2021, 10:10 pm
#1611
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,153
Oct 23, 2021, 10:39 pm
#1612
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 200
Thank you! Also, trying to understand the following:
I'm flying out of IAH. Right now I see a First Saver Award available on UA as follows:
-IAH to LAX ( United Economy)
-LAX to NRT (ANA First)
My question is, would Virgin also be able to book the same itinerary for me, or are they only able to book the LAX to NRT portion?
I'm flying out of IAH. Right now I see a First Saver Award available on UA as follows:
-IAH to LAX ( United Economy)
-LAX to NRT (ANA First)
My question is, would Virgin also be able to book the same itinerary for me, or are they only able to book the LAX to NRT portion?
Oct 23, 2021, 11:10 pm
#1613
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,153
Thank you! Also, trying to understand the following:
I'm flying out of IAH. Right now I see a First Saver Award available on UA as follows:
-IAH to LAX ( United Economy)
-LAX to NRT (ANA First)
My question is, would Virgin also be able to book the same itinerary for me, or are they only able to book the LAX to NRT portion?
I'm flying out of IAH. Right now I see a First Saver Award available on UA as follows:
-IAH to LAX ( United Economy)
-LAX to NRT (ANA First)
My question is, would Virgin also be able to book the same itinerary for me, or are they only able to book the LAX to NRT portion?
Oct 24, 2021, 2:55 am
#1614
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: YYZ, HKG, MFM
Programs: AC35K, AS MVP, WS Gold, ITA EP, Marriott Plat, Hyatt-Explorist, IHG Diamond
Posts: 2,019
Oct 24, 2021, 2:53 pm
#1615
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP 100K, Amtrak peon, Colbert Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 4,534
Oct 24, 2021, 11:34 pm
#1616
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 200
I'm trying to experience the new Suite or Room, and as far as I know they aren't available from IAH. Is that right? I'm planning to start regularly searching (everyday, every other day, maybe multiple times a day) for O availability for all of 2022 departing from any airport in the US. My fiancee and I have never flown in higher than premium economy and this would be an amazing wedding gift/surprise for her. Thanks for your input!
Question:
When I'm searching United.com for NH award availability, how do I know if an award ticket available on the United.com website is also available for redemption through Virgin Atlantic?
For example, consider the following itineraries:
1. SFO-LAX (UA) > LAX-NRT (NH): 38.5k Miles (Economy Saver Award)
2. LAX-NRT (NH): 80k Miles (Economy Award)
Are both of the LAX-NRT (NH) Flights available for the 65k miles roundtrip redemption rate through Virgin, or only flights that show up as an Economy Saver Award on United? Thank you!
Question:
When I'm searching United.com for NH award availability, how do I know if an award ticket available on the United.com website is also available for redemption through Virgin Atlantic?
For example, consider the following itineraries:
1. SFO-LAX (UA) > LAX-NRT (NH): 38.5k Miles (Economy Saver Award)
2. LAX-NRT (NH): 80k Miles (Economy Award)
Are both of the LAX-NRT (NH) Flights available for the 65k miles roundtrip redemption rate through Virgin, or only flights that show up as an Economy Saver Award on United? Thank you!
Oct 25, 2021, 2:40 pm
#1617
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: YYZ, HKG, MFM
Programs: AC35K, AS MVP, WS Gold, ITA EP, Marriott Plat, Hyatt-Explorist, IHG Diamond
Posts: 2,019
I'm trying to experience the new Suite or Room, and as far as I know they aren't available from IAH. Is that right? I'm planning to start regularly searching (everyday, every other day, maybe multiple times a day) for O availability for all of 2022 departing from any airport in the US. My fiancee and I have never flown in higher than premium economy and this would be an amazing wedding gift/surprise for her. Thanks for your input!
Question:
When I'm searching United.com for NH award availability, how do I know if an award ticket available on the United.com website is also available for redemption through Virgin Atlantic?
For example, consider the following itineraries:
1. SFO-LAX (UA) > LAX-NRT (NH): 38.5k Miles (Economy Saver Award)
2. LAX-NRT (NH): 80k Miles (Economy Award)
Are both of the LAX-NRT (NH) Flights available for the 65k miles roundtrip redemption rate through Virgin, or only flights that show up as an Economy Saver Award on United? Thank you!
Question:
When I'm searching United.com for NH award availability, how do I know if an award ticket available on the United.com website is also available for redemption through Virgin Atlantic?
For example, consider the following itineraries:
1. SFO-LAX (UA) > LAX-NRT (NH): 38.5k Miles (Economy Saver Award)
2. LAX-NRT (NH): 80k Miles (Economy Award)
Are both of the LAX-NRT (NH) Flights available for the 65k miles roundtrip redemption rate through Virgin, or only flights that show up as an Economy Saver Award on United? Thank you!
Oct 26, 2021, 6:05 am
#1618
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 67
Question for the Hive mind here.
I have got First (for partner) and Business (myself) redemption from Frankfurt to Haneda next May.
I live in Glasgow and paid for flights from Glasgow to Frankfurt, and return.
My partner is very much looking forward to trying out the new Room offering in First
Am not convinced that things are going to be open by May, so thought I would try and nab another First redemption for early November, as a backup.
I have circa 111,200 Virgin Points currently, and add to total all the time as have a Virgin credit card and use Shops Away to add more “free” points, whenever I can buy via it.
So I was chatting with the fine person that is Cosmic Girl about my backup plan for November, and she said why not increase your chances of nabbing a First seat by flying the other way, via the US.
Had not thought of this, there is the cost of getting to the US and perhaps accommodation for a night or two (I want a connecting flight with like 6 hours between times, in case of delays) but she pointed out the points could also be used on Air France / KLM……
I also have a Virgin companion voucher to use up also, not sure how that could be used in the mix – as they are only useful on certain flights with those type of rewards seats on I think.
The more I think about it, the more I get the feeling it is all too ………………. messey – am not lazy as have spend weeks / months in efforts to nab the seats we have for May, but starting to feel like too many moving parts to be comfortable with.
Anyone gone from Europe to Japan via the US – rather than the direct Europe to Japan way – how did you find it?
I have got First (for partner) and Business (myself) redemption from Frankfurt to Haneda next May.
I live in Glasgow and paid for flights from Glasgow to Frankfurt, and return.
My partner is very much looking forward to trying out the new Room offering in First
Am not convinced that things are going to be open by May, so thought I would try and nab another First redemption for early November, as a backup.
I have circa 111,200 Virgin Points currently, and add to total all the time as have a Virgin credit card and use Shops Away to add more “free” points, whenever I can buy via it.
So I was chatting with the fine person that is Cosmic Girl about my backup plan for November, and she said why not increase your chances of nabbing a First seat by flying the other way, via the US.
Had not thought of this, there is the cost of getting to the US and perhaps accommodation for a night or two (I want a connecting flight with like 6 hours between times, in case of delays) but she pointed out the points could also be used on Air France / KLM……
I also have a Virgin companion voucher to use up also, not sure how that could be used in the mix – as they are only useful on certain flights with those type of rewards seats on I think.
The more I think about it, the more I get the feeling it is all too ………………. messey – am not lazy as have spend weeks / months in efforts to nab the seats we have for May, but starting to feel like too many moving parts to be comfortable with.
Anyone gone from Europe to Japan via the US – rather than the direct Europe to Japan way – how did you find it?
Last edited by Antony Jackson; Oct 26, 2021 at 6:05 am Reason: Spelling
Oct 26, 2021, 6:38 am
#1619
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: PIT-SCE-AOO-PHL-NYC-WAS
Programs: free agent
Posts: 1,035
Trying to burn my 95k VS orphan points by using it on ANA F but I couldn’t reach anyone on phone and no reply on text. Anyone have better ways to get ahold of agents faster?
they used to be good with text in past. I’m been on hold with flying club line (#4 on us number).. maybe I should press different option. Thanks for help
they used to be good with text in past. I’m been on hold with flying club line (#4 on us number).. maybe I should press different option. Thanks for help
Oct 26, 2021, 6:54 am
#1620
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 486
Trying to burn my 95k VS orphan points by using it on ANA F but I couldn’t reach anyone on phone and no reply on text. Anyone have better ways to get ahold of agents faster?
they used to be good with text in past. I’m been on hold with flying club line (#4 on us number).. maybe I should press different option. Thanks for help
they used to be good with text in past. I’m been on hold with flying club line (#4 on us number).. maybe I should press different option. Thanks for help