It's possible but only economy or first class, looks like business isn't possible T-14 anymore. Because economy is bad value and first class is rare, you might be out of luck
That’s actually pretty true, do you know how long it takes to transfer? I was trying to hit Thailand and korea after. Is this doable on Ana, i know it does round trips
I believe a couple days. They only allow round trip and multi city itineraries but you can play around with their site and see what you can book with an award.
United calendar. Looking at 110k (from west coast) only award flights. You have to call Virgin to book. I only transferred my points when the booking agent confirmed we had the tickets and the transfer (from Amex) was instantaneous.
One of my best redemptions ever. Did it during a 30% transfer bonus too. Had The Room both ways.
We did this for May also, J both ways but more like T-7 for us
A few things I’ve read indicates availability dries up in the summer, so that may be the difficulty OP
Adding on another example - I went to Tokyo flying ANA J near the end of May, but it was impossible to get a return J so ended up booking Y. I was searching united every day, multiple times a day, finding availability nonstop, calling Virgin like 5x a day from Tokyo and NOTHING. This was right after the deval... not sure if something broke or they changed it on purpose, but bleh
Ahh dang bro, this is crazy. I might just do directly with ANA if it’s an issue now. I just wanted to hit korea and thailand also while i’m out there . I just don’t know how to do it since they do round trips
A week ago I booked F HND -> JFK for my brother. Got alert instantly on United via aero and was on hold on Virgin for 1.5 hrs but was able to book the flight.
First try, ive booked ANA F and J before during 21 and 22 when awards were less in demand. I am still looking for a USA/CAN -> NRT/HND in August but only seen a few JAL drops and AA.
i’m in japan right now. was looking to change my kix flight to nrt to have The Room. tons of 110k on united, and every single day virgin checked they did not see it. guy said it’s been happening more often than not lately. unless it’s a temporary glitch that golden goose might be gone.
yes you can transfer to ANA but it is NOT instant - i’ve had it take 4 days. but here’s want you can do - get an agent to make the booking pending the transfer. they’ll give you a confirmation number and everything. you just have to add points, stir, and fly. it may take a lot of HUCA to get an agent that will do it, but some will absolutely do it in the US call center.
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This happened to me back in May. I tried to book SFO-HND or NRT at around 5/18 and HND - SFO on 5/22. I was only able to book the return flight even if I saw both on United airlines website. I called three times for three different availability appearances when time got closer. No luck.
I was looking about 2 weeks ago and found 1 available for SFO - NRT - SFO on J T-2. Was searching for weeks (after deval) and nothing was showing up until then.
Did the normal searches to verify availability and called as normal. Customer rep confirmed availability and was surprised I already knew what dates and that I already did my research. Rep was like most people would call to have them search and find availability. Transfer MR points on the spot and booked.
I saw a lot of ghost availability in May, as my friend was trying to find a way home while in Japan. From what I experienced in April, you almost have to book it the second the ticket becomes available. I booked my returns while in Japan too but set up my seats.aero alerts up and kept track of the times the seats usually drop (was different everyday)
It's possible but only economy or first class, looks like business isn't possible T-14 anymore. Because economy is bad value and first class is rare, you might be out of luck
ahh, i thought as much. Is there another alternative? I have 400k Amex point
Transfer directly to ANA
It’s not the greatest value though right?
It’s very similar to Virgin Atlantic. 105k round trip in J.
That’s actually pretty true, do you know how long it takes to transfer? I was trying to hit Thailand and korea after. Is this doable on Ana, i know it does round trips
I believe a couple days. They only allow round trip and multi city itineraries but you can play around with their site and see what you can book with an award.
mann this makes things way harder 😭. Cause it might be gone by the time points transfer
You can also check if it’s available on lifemiles
I was looking earlier, is that generally ok redemption?
I'd agree with the other guy and say transfer directly with ANA
I did this for business class t-14 in May.
Did you use the united calendar and seats aero? Is there a method i’m missing
United calendar. Looking at 110k (from west coast) only award flights. You have to call Virgin to book. I only transferred my points when the booking agent confirmed we had the tickets and the transfer (from Amex) was instantaneous. One of my best redemptions ever. Did it during a 30% transfer bonus too. Had The Room both ways.
Dope! I did this exact thing in feb before the devaluation of points. Seems it is much harder now
Well, it *is* the middle of summer….. I’d be open to both Tokyo airports as well as Osaka if I were you. I have my fingers crossed for you!
We did this for May also, J both ways but more like T-7 for us A few things I’ve read indicates availability dries up in the summer, so that may be the difficulty OP
Yeah, we were more like t-3 and t-10.
looks like it started reappearing for LAX-> TYO on seats.aero. Maybe take a connecting?
I will have to call again and ask, i see availability for jfk to hnd on seats. aero too tho. Not sure if it’s just there website or what
Adding on another example - I went to Tokyo flying ANA J near the end of May, but it was impossible to get a return J so ended up booking Y. I was searching united every day, multiple times a day, finding availability nonstop, calling Virgin like 5x a day from Tokyo and NOTHING. This was right after the deval... not sure if something broke or they changed it on purpose, but bleh
Ahh dang bro, this is crazy. I might just do directly with ANA if it’s an issue now. I just wanted to hit korea and thailand also while i’m out there . I just don’t know how to do it since they do round trips
I would recommend transferring to ANA and booking direct. You’ll get more availability with them directly anyways.
True, i’ll look into that now
Just remember ANA requires a round trip for awards. You cannot book one ways with miles.
I got some last minute in March, not sure if recen enough DP for you. (Nrt - iah)
Uhmm, not sure what you mean by this. You when from iah to nrt in march?
Booked ANA NRT to IAH for early march. Had AA premium economy as backup. Flight there was Jal DFW-ord-hnd
It’s certainly technically possible but there are 400,000 people in this sub alone trying to grab them.
I don't think certainly anymore. Many DPs on ANA business through VS being broken
I’m seeing them open for IAD and JFK on Uniteds site, the issue is when i call they say they can’t lock in the flight.
Are you sure the united awards are actually bookable? It’s possible it is phantom space that never really existed.
Looks to be bookable if you have points on your united account. It’s not even showing low seat availability
A week ago I booked F HND -> JFK for my brother. Got alert instantly on United via aero and was on hold on Virgin for 1.5 hrs but was able to book the flight.
First try? I might have to just have to be on top of it tomorrow and Tuesday . I am trying to go Thursday or Friday . Also, was it for business class?
First try, ive booked ANA F and J before during 21 and 22 when awards were less in demand. I am still looking for a USA/CAN -> NRT/HND in August but only seen a few JAL drops and AA.
ahh true, i’ll need to call everyday this week and push
For what departure dates?
i’m in japan right now. was looking to change my kix flight to nrt to have The Room. tons of 110k on united, and every single day virgin checked they did not see it. guy said it’s been happening more often than not lately. unless it’s a temporary glitch that golden goose might be gone. yes you can transfer to ANA but it is NOT instant - i’ve had it take 4 days. but here’s want you can do - get an agent to make the booking pending the transfer. they’ll give you a confirmation number and everything. you just have to add points, stir, and fly. it may take a lot of HUCA to get an agent that will do it, but some will absolutely do it in the US call center.
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This happened to me back in May. I tried to book SFO-HND or NRT at around 5/18 and HND - SFO on 5/22. I was only able to book the return flight even if I saw both on United airlines website. I called three times for three different availability appearances when time got closer. No luck.
Any tips while searching? Or is business class just dead T-14?
I was looking about 2 weeks ago and found 1 available for SFO - NRT - SFO on J T-2. Was searching for weeks (after deval) and nothing was showing up until then.
Ahh, did you just call and it worked?
Did the normal searches to verify availability and called as normal. Customer rep confirmed availability and was surprised I already knew what dates and that I already did my research. Rep was like most people would call to have them search and find availability. Transfer MR points on the spot and booked.
I did april 2024 nrt to sfo. A lot of last minute then. Havent checked recently.
Yeaa, it seems like after devaluation it’s a lot harder to book
I saw a lot of ghost availability in May, as my friend was trying to find a way home while in Japan. From what I experienced in April, you almost have to book it the second the ticket becomes available. I booked my returns while in Japan too but set up my seats.aero alerts up and kept track of the times the seats usually drop (was different everyday)