ANA (NH) Redemptions using VS Flying Club points - thread locked Sept 2022
Jun 30, 2019, 4:24 am
#661
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,050
Could be a misunderstanding on either your side or the agent's side about the desired cabin...
Jul 2, 2019, 11:48 am
#662
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 486
To my knowlegde FRA and LHR are the only European routes with F. CDG is operated with a 789 which doesn't have an F cabin.
Jul 2, 2019, 1:18 pm
#663
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,050
Jul 5, 2019, 6:43 pm
#664
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DTW
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Delta Platinum
Posts: 18
Just booked two reservations on ANA using Virgin Atlantic miles (from chase - instant transfer while on the phone). first reservation, two J tickets round trip ORD - NRT , return HND - ORD and one reservation of (1) F class. Same flights. I had to book two different reservations since they couldn't do a mixed flight of J and F . Could be all J or all F coming and going, but not inter mixed each way. This took a ton of time trying to find flights for Mid May to Tokyo. I had them hold the return flights for a couple days while I kept looking and calling back trying to get the outbound booked. Don't ever try getting three or more business class or first class flight on ANA... you will lose your mind.. lol I used united to find the flights and about half the time Virgin would be able to pull the same inventory.
Jul 7, 2019, 10:08 am
#665
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 335
Yesterday I finished booking ORD-NRT-JFK in F for next May. I'm looking forward to it!
I originally completed ticketing using a "dummy" return (i.e., an earlier-than-desired return used to lock in the outbound until the desired return became available). At 330 days out from the return I wanted, I called VS and switched the return for $50.
Two potentially useful observations:
I originally completed ticketing using a "dummy" return (i.e., an earlier-than-desired return used to lock in the outbound until the desired return became available). At 330 days out from the return I wanted, I called VS and switched the return for $50.
Two potentially useful observations:
1) If in doubt, just call VS and ask them to search for availability.
As noted in this thread and based on my own testing, award availability on united.com regularly doesn't get updated over the weekend (maybe never?). That was the case yesterday--no NH award availability was showing on united.com 330 days out, even though there was availability on expertflyer.com. (I didn't search Aeroplan.) JFK flights seem to go more quickly than others so, rather than waiting, I called VS and asked if there was availability. There was, and I switched my return to the desired date.
2) Instead of completing ticketing before return availability opens up at 330 days out, then having to pay $50 to switch, one could put a ticket on hold and repeatedly renew the hold until the desired return opens up. However . . .
I did this for a few days before giving up and ticketing. Here's why:
A) Holds only last until 23:00 London time the next day. That meant I had to call every day to renew the hold, which for me wasn't worth the bother to save $50. Others may feel differently.
B) There was a chance that I'd lose my outbound flight. After a couple of days of rolling over my hold, the agent had to create a new reservation. Fortunately, the agent checked on availability before cancelling the original reservation, but anytime you release an award hold you run the chance of availability disappearing. I didn't want to chance it.
Here's hoping a JFK-TYO seat opens up for my outbound. If not, a short flight to ORD and a visit to the Polaris lounge aren't so bad.
Thanks to pop311 and CedarSwampThing for their generous advice over PMs.
As noted in this thread and based on my own testing, award availability on united.com regularly doesn't get updated over the weekend (maybe never?). That was the case yesterday--no NH award availability was showing on united.com 330 days out, even though there was availability on expertflyer.com. (I didn't search Aeroplan.) JFK flights seem to go more quickly than others so, rather than waiting, I called VS and asked if there was availability. There was, and I switched my return to the desired date.
2) Instead of completing ticketing before return availability opens up at 330 days out, then having to pay $50 to switch, one could put a ticket on hold and repeatedly renew the hold until the desired return opens up. However . . .
I did this for a few days before giving up and ticketing. Here's why:
A) Holds only last until 23:00 London time the next day. That meant I had to call every day to renew the hold, which for me wasn't worth the bother to save $50. Others may feel differently.
B) There was a chance that I'd lose my outbound flight. After a couple of days of rolling over my hold, the agent had to create a new reservation. Fortunately, the agent checked on availability before cancelling the original reservation, but anytime you release an award hold you run the chance of availability disappearing. I didn't want to chance it.
Here's hoping a JFK-TYO seat opens up for my outbound. If not, a short flight to ORD and a visit to the Polaris lounge aren't so bad.
Thanks to pop311 and CedarSwampThing for their generous advice over PMs.
Jul 7, 2019, 10:54 am
#666
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 26
Yesterday I finished booking ORD-NRT-JFK in F for next May. I'm looking forward to it!
I originally completed ticketing using a "dummy" return (i.e., an earlier-than-desired return used to lock in the outbound until the desired return became available). At 330 days out from the return I wanted, I called VS and switched the return for $50.
Two potentially useful observations:
I originally completed ticketing using a "dummy" return (i.e., an earlier-than-desired return used to lock in the outbound until the desired return became available). At 330 days out from the return I wanted, I called VS and switched the return for $50.
Two potentially useful observations:
1) If in doubt, just call VS and ask them to search for availability.
As noted in this thread and based on my own testing, award availability on united.com regularly doesn't get updated over the weekend (maybe never?). That was the case yesterday--no NH award availability was showing on united.com 330 days out, even though there was availability on expertflyer.com. (I didn't search Aeroplan.) JFK flights seem to go more quickly than others so, rather than waiting, I called VS and asked if there was availability. There was, and I switched my return to the desired date.
2) Instead of completing ticketing before return availability opens up at 330 days out, then having to pay $50 to switch, one could put a ticket on hold and repeatedly renew the hold until the desired return opens up. However . . .
I did this for a few days before giving up and ticketing. Here's why:
A) Holds only last until 23:00 London time the next day. That meant I had to call every day to renew the hold, which for me wasn't worth the bother to save $50. Others may feel differently.
B) There was a chance that I'd lose my outbound flight. After a couple of days of rolling over my hold, the agent had to create a new reservation. Fortunately, the agent checked on availability before cancelling the original reservation, but anytime you release an award hold you run the chance of availability disappearing. I didn't want to chance it.
Here's hoping a JFK-TYO seat opens up for my outbound. If not, a short flight to ORD and a visit to the Polaris lounge aren't so bad.
Thanks to pop311 and CedarSwampThing for their generous advice over PMs.
As noted in this thread and based on my own testing, award availability on united.com regularly doesn't get updated over the weekend (maybe never?). That was the case yesterday--no NH award availability was showing on united.com 330 days out, even though there was availability on expertflyer.com. (I didn't search Aeroplan.) JFK flights seem to go more quickly than others so, rather than waiting, I called VS and asked if there was availability. There was, and I switched my return to the desired date.
2) Instead of completing ticketing before return availability opens up at 330 days out, then having to pay $50 to switch, one could put a ticket on hold and repeatedly renew the hold until the desired return opens up. However . . .
I did this for a few days before giving up and ticketing. Here's why:
A) Holds only last until 23:00 London time the next day. That meant I had to call every day to renew the hold, which for me wasn't worth the bother to save $50. Others may feel differently.
B) There was a chance that I'd lose my outbound flight. After a couple of days of rolling over my hold, the agent had to create a new reservation. Fortunately, the agent checked on availability before cancelling the original reservation, but anytime you release an award hold you run the chance of availability disappearing. I didn't want to chance it.
Here's hoping a JFK-TYO seat opens up for my outbound. If not, a short flight to ORD and a visit to the Polaris lounge aren't so bad.
Thanks to pop311 and CedarSwampThing for their generous advice over PMs.
Jul 7, 2019, 2:08 pm
#667
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 335
Congrats, glad to hear the success story. Out of curiosity, since I'm based out of NY as well, what day of the week for your return leg did you find availability? I immensely struggled to find anything returning to JFK on Friday to Sunday. Ultimately, I settled for two round trip tickets in F to/from IAH, but nothing to really complain about.
Originally had a Saturday. Now have a Sunday.
Jul 7, 2019, 2:23 pm
#668
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 335
Hi Petdog,
Thanks for a thorough explanation. I'm actually trying to book something coming back to JFK. I'm from the East Coast. What I am trying to do is make a ORD-TYO-JFK trip, with a domestic flight to JFK-ORD. This domestic leg is only ~$90 + few hours of my time. It seems impossible to get something RT from JFK and back that's why I'm positioning in ORD. I want to book something coming back as soon as it becomes available but there's nothing on the 23rd or 24th of May 2020. Now, ORD does show some premium award cabins on 23rd, so it means JFK is just sold out. I am curious when United Opens up 24th of May awards based on today's date. If I knew exact hour it opens up, I can get on the phone with VS that exact time. I may just give VS a call and ask if they see availability.
Thanks for a thorough explanation. I'm actually trying to book something coming back to JFK. I'm from the East Coast. What I am trying to do is make a ORD-TYO-JFK trip, with a domestic flight to JFK-ORD. This domestic leg is only ~$90 + few hours of my time. It seems impossible to get something RT from JFK and back that's why I'm positioning in ORD. I want to book something coming back as soon as it becomes available but there's nothing on the 23rd or 24th of May 2020. Now, ORD does show some premium award cabins on 23rd, so it means JFK is just sold out. I am curious when United Opens up 24th of May awards based on today's date. If I knew exact hour it opens up, I can get on the phone with VS that exact time. I may just give VS a call and ask if they see availability.
Jul 11, 2019, 11:21 am
#669
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 486
ANA has announced new cabins on the 77W today. The first aircraft will go to LHR on even-numbered days in August and odd-numbered days in September. A second aircraft will be added at the end of August or early September but they haven't announced when just yet.
press release: https://www.ana.co.jp/group/en/pr/201907/20190711.html
F details: https://www.ana.co.jp/en/be/servicei...300er_new.html
J details: https://www.ana.co.jp/en/be/serviceinfo/international/inflight/guide/c/seat/c-777_300er_new.html
and the FT thread: New 777-300ER (77W) F/C/PY/Y Seating (consolidated)
Let's hope this rolls out quickly! I'm glad to see they've unblocked the windows in F and the partition in the middle block is much better now if you're traveling with two people. The screen is insanely big and it looks like the ottoman might serve as a temporary second seat if you wish to talk to someone but I'm not sure.
press release: https://www.ana.co.jp/group/en/pr/201907/20190711.html
F details: https://www.ana.co.jp/en/be/servicei...300er_new.html
J details: https://www.ana.co.jp/en/be/serviceinfo/international/inflight/guide/c/seat/c-777_300er_new.html
and the FT thread: New 777-300ER (77W) F/C/PY/Y Seating (consolidated)
Let's hope this rolls out quickly! I'm glad to see they've unblocked the windows in F and the partition in the middle block is much better now if you're traveling with two people. The screen is insanely big and it looks like the ottoman might serve as a temporary second seat if you wish to talk to someone but I'm not sure.
Last edited by CosmicGirl; Jul 11, 2019 at 11:23 am Reason: Fixed url
Jul 11, 2019, 1:41 pm
#670
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 335
Wondering when they'll roll out the rest of the new cabins, and on which routes.
Jul 13, 2019, 6:26 am
#671
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SF, Japan, YYG
Programs: ANA Pt
Posts: 395
Yesterday I finished booking ORD-NRT-JFK in F for next May. I'm looking forward to it!
I originally completed ticketing using a "dummy" return (i.e., an earlier-than-desired return used to lock in the outbound until the desired return became available). At 330 days out from the return I wanted, I called VS and switched the return for $50.
Two potentially useful observations:
I originally completed ticketing using a "dummy" return (i.e., an earlier-than-desired return used to lock in the outbound until the desired return became available). At 330 days out from the return I wanted, I called VS and switched the return for $50.
Two potentially useful observations:
1) If in doubt, just call VS and ask them to search for availability.
As noted in this thread and based on my own testing, award availability on united.com regularly doesn't get updated over the weekend (maybe never?). That was the case yesterday--no NH award availability was showing on united.com 330 days out, even though there was availability on expertflyer.com. (I didn't search Aeroplan.) JFK flights seem to go more quickly than others so, rather than waiting, I called VS and asked if there was availability. There was, and I switched my return to the desired date.
As noted in this thread and based on my own testing, award availability on united.com regularly doesn't get updated over the weekend (maybe never?). That was the case yesterday--no NH award availability was showing on united.com 330 days out, even though there was availability on expertflyer.com. (I didn't search Aeroplan.) JFK flights seem to go more quickly than others so, rather than waiting, I called VS and asked if there was availability. There was, and I switched my return to the desired date.
Jul 13, 2019, 2:29 pm
#672
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 65
Anyone been able to add a domestic connection between Tokyo HND and Osaka ITM with reward points? Have spoken to a few different agents and they cannot find any availability at all.
Thanks
Thanks
Jul 13, 2019, 5:49 pm
#673
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 335
Just speculating, but the problem may be with Virgin's search functionality. For example, ANA's own site doesn't allow for domestic-only award searches (e.g., HND-ITM), but does allow for international + domestic (e.g., JFK-HND-ITM).
United's website does allow for domestic-only award searches on ANA. The advice previously provided on this thread was to find saver availability on United and then feed the flight details to the Virgin agent.
FWIW, United only charges 5,000 miles and I believe will book one-way. Virgin charges 15,000 miles and, I believe, requires round-trip. All economy.
Jul 13, 2019, 6:43 pm
#674
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 65
Thanks, I was only looking to book a single leg, that explains it. I'm from the UK, so it's difficult to get United points, unfortunately. I'll see what BA AVIOS options come up (think they only open up 2 months in advance)
Jul 15, 2019, 10:49 am
#675
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SF, Japan, YYG
Programs: ANA Pt
Posts: 395
You can search and book domestic one way and return on the ANA website, just change country to Japan. One way award cost from 5,000 miles depending on season and destination.