ANA partnership with Virgin Australia

[garrence]

Hey thanks.

 

[flyerzz]

Hi All,

I am lucky enough to secure ANA flight from SYD to CTS (Sapporo) via Haneda for December using Velocity points Reward seat.
However, it is an economy class flight.

I read that ANA releases their business class reward seats 2 weeks prior departure date. Is this still the case? Will they also be available via Velocity to use points?

If it is true, I think there won't be business class reward seats for SYD-CTS, right? Most likely only from SYD to Haneda?

Let's assume I am lucky enough to find ANA business class reward seat from SYD to HND, and I called Velocity helpdesk to change my current economy flight SYD-CTS via HND to this business class SYD-HND and purchase/redeem a separate flight for HND-CTS, does it mean that my luggage will not go direct from SYD to CTS, i.e. I will need to pick up my checked in luggage at HND, then check them back in for the flight to CTS, since there will be 2 separate flight tickets?
Is it possible to ask ANA during check-in in SYD to send the luggage all the way to CTS even though 2 tickets are involved?

Thanks for your insights in advance.

 

[henrus]

does it mean that my luggage will not go direct from SYD to CTS, i.e. I will need to pick up my checked in luggage at HND, then check them back in for the flight to CTS, since there will be 2 separate flight tickets?
Is it possible to ask ANA during check-in in SYD to send the luggage all the way to CTS even though 2 tickets are involved?

Japan is like Australia, all luggage off international flights needs to be cleared through customs and rechecked in for domestic flights. Having two seperate tickets doesn't make much difference in this situation.

 

[encryptededdy]

Indeed, the only main difference is whether you're protected on the next flight or not. ANA is generally pretty reliable and there's plenty of flights to CTS to rebook yourself onto (and they're not too expensive) if you misconnect, so I wouldn't be too worried about booking 2 separate tickets.

 

[Simon Overall]

Does ANA ever release award seats earlier than than ten days prior to departure?

I know from checking the GDS they have Business seats available on the 12 and 13 November- just can't see the I Class in the GDS which is the booking class for all Star Alliance redemptions.

If I called Velocity can they assist please?

Post automatically merged: Oct 16, 2024

Does ANA ever release award seats earlier than than ten days prior to departure?

I know from checking the GDS they have Business seats available on the 12 and 13 November- just can't see the I Class in the GDS which is the booking class for all Star Alliance redemptions.

If I called Velocity can they assist please?

 

[levelnine]

Does ANA ever release award seats earlier than than ten days prior to departure?

Yes. Some in July 2025 at the moment:

If I called Velocity can they assist please?

No. What you see on the website is what you get.

 

[Simon Overall]

Yes. Some in July 2025 at the moment:
View attachment 412129

No. What you see on the website is what you get.

Thanks. They really don't make it easy that's for sure.

 

[readerr0r]

Thanks. They really don't make it easy that's for sure.

Velocity’s search is very fast but leaves a lot to be desired if you’re trying the find business reward seats. Best way around it is getting a seats.areo sub

 

[stm1sydney]

Velocity’s search is very fast but leaves a lot to be desired if you’re trying the find business reward seats. Best way around it is getting a seats.areo sub

Isn't there some way you can play with the search URL to narrow the search down to business class rewards?

 

[serfty]

I called Velocity and they informed me the platinum priority boarding benefit does not apply to VA/ANA international flights, only domestic. Am I being told porkie pies?

So yes, the phone agent is wrong.

Hey thanks.

No Velocity WP priority Boarding benefits on ANA metal. The Agent was correct (Domestic is a furphy as it can only be VA metal).

 

[Simon Overall]

Velocity’s search is very fast but leaves a lot to be desired if you’re trying the find business reward seats. Best way around it is getting a seats.areo sub

Yup have multiple Seats Aero alerts set up.

Have to be patient I guess

 

[flyerzz]

Japan is like Australia, all luggage off international flights needs to be cleared through customs and rechecked in for domestic flights. Having two seperate tickets doesn't make much difference in this situation.

Ah I didn't realise that, thank you for letting me know about that

 

[elanshin]

Thanks. They really don't make it easy that's for sure.

Velocity is one of the best way to find ANA rewards. I think a lot of the seat alerts now use velocity for ANA on all sorts of routes (not just Australia). Used to be even harder to find anything before the velocity partnership.

 

[Simon Overall]

Velocity is one of the best way to find ANA rewards. I think a lot of the seat alerts now use velocity for ANA on all sorts of routes (not just Australia). Used to be even harder to find anything before the velocity partnership.

Good to know. Am quietly confident. Have two dates I am looking for as well for 12/13 November.

 

[flyerzz]

Indeed, the only main difference is whether you're protected on the next flight or not. ANA is generally pretty reliable and there's plenty of flights to CTS to rebook yourself onto (and they're not too expensive) if you misconnect, so I wouldn't be too worried about booking 2 separate tickets.

if SYD-CTS via HND is in one ticket, and for some reasons, I miss the connection HND-CTS because not enough transfer time, flight arriving late, etc. ANA will give me free seat on the next available flight from CTS to HND, this is what you mean by 'protected', right?

However, if I separate the tickets, i.e. SYD-HND, then HND-CTS, if I miss the transfer, then ANA won't help me or I would need to find my own seat and pay money to get from HND to CTS. Is my understanding correct?

My current ticket SYD-CTS (via HND) has only 1h 40m gap between first flight landing time and second flight departure time.
I thought my baggage would be sent direct to CTS, but now I found out that I would need to take baggage and re-check back them in in HND, it feels very tight timeframe.. esp have to go through custom, then potentially transfer between terminals..

 

[elanshin]

if SYD-CTS via HND is in one ticket, and for some reasons, I miss the connection HND-CTS because not enough transfer time, flight arriving late, etc. ANA will give me free seat on the next available flight from CTS to HND, this is what you mean by 'protected', right?

Yes generally because its one ticket they are obligated to take you to the destination.

However, if I separate the tickets, i.e. SYD-HND, then HND-CTS, if I miss the transfer, then ANA won't help me or I would need to find my own seat and pay money to get from HND to CTS. Is my understanding correct?

Ymmv. If its ANA - ANA then more than likely they'll try to help and get you onto another flight. If its something like ANA to Japan Airlines then its less likely.

My current ticket SYD-CTS (via HND) has only 1h 40m gap between first flight landing time and second flight departure time.
I thought my baggage would be sent direct to CTS, but now I found out that I would need to take baggage and re-check back them in in HND, it feels very tight timeframe.. esp have to go through custom, then potentially transfer between terminals..

Baggage won't be the problem. Your most common concern is going to be immigration. JP can check your luggage in hyper last minute and still not have a problem.

Immigration is where it can be 0 minutes (you waltz through) or 3hrs at the worst end.
There's a good amount of ANA Int'l flights now arriving at T2 HND and if that's the case then you'll likely have fast immigration and be at the right terminal for transfer.

 

[flyerzz]

Yes generally because its one ticket they are obligated to take you to the destination.

Ymmv. If its ANA - ANA then more than likely they'll try to help and get you onto another flight. If its something like ANA to Japan Airlines then its less likely.


Baggage won't be the problem. Your most common concern is going to be immigration. JP can check your luggage in hyper last minute and still not have a problem.

Immigration is where it can be 0 minutes (you waltz through) or 3hrs at the worst end.
There's a good amount of ANA Int'l flights now arriving at T2 HND and if that's the case then you'll likely have fast immigration and be at the right terminal for transfer.

Thanks @elanshin . I will be arriving at HND early in the morning 5.30am, hopefully immigration is not going to be busy then!

I just checked my e-ticket issued by Virgin and it says landing at Terminal 2 Haneda, and the flight to CTS is also at Terminal 2.
However, when I login to ANA website via Reservation Code, there it says landing at Haneda Terminal 0. There is a hyperlink to explain what terminal 0 means. It says it can be either Terminal 2 or Terminal 3, so need to check back the day before.

Interestingly, my partner who will also be flying the same flight numbers as me the day before, also via Virgin reward seat redemption, in the e-ticket, it does not say which terminal at all, just blank.

The only other thing I can think of if buying separate SYD-HND then HND-CTS tickets is that SYD-HND free baggage will be 2 x 23 kg, while from what I can gather, ANA domestic only allows up to 20kg per person (no limits on number of pieces), while if SYD-CTS is in one ticket, the HND-CTS leg will also be 2 x 23kg free check-in baggage, correct?

https://www.ana.co.jp/en/jp/guide/boarding-procedures/baggage/domestic/free/

 

[elanshin]

Thanks @elanshin . I will be arriving at HND early in the morning 5.30am, hopefully immigration is not going to be busy then!

I just checked my e-ticket issued by Virgin and it says landing at Terminal 2 Haneda, and the flight to CTS is also at Terminal 2.
However, when I login to ANA website via Reservation Code, there it says landing at Haneda Terminal 0. There is a hyperlink to explain what terminal 0 means. It says it can be either Terminal 2 or Terminal 3, so need to check back the day before.

Interestingly, my partner who will also be flying the same flight numbers as me the day before, also via Virgin reward seat redemption, in the e-ticket, it does not say which terminal at all, just blank.

The only other thing I can think of if buying separate SYD-HND then HND-CTS tickets is that SYD-HND free baggage will be 2 x 23 kg, while from what I can gather, ANA domestic only allows up to 20kg per person (no limits on number of pieces), while if SYD-CTS is in one ticket, the HND-CTS leg will also be 2 x 23kg free check-in baggage, correct?

https://www.ana.co.jp/en/jp/guide/boarding-procedures/baggage/domestic/free/

Ah yes that's correct regarding luggage. A SYD - CTS via HND would follow their Int'l luggage allowance where as separated it would not.

Regarding the terminals, ANA uses both T2 and T3 for Int'l (T3 is the main Int'l, T2 is effectively ANA and friends domestic terminal with limited Int'l).
The Sydney flight is often at T2 but not always hence why they say it can be either.

On an off note, you can randomly get the Pikachu livery plane and it's extra freebies as SYD-HND is one of its routes.

 

[encryptededdy]

Thanks @elanshin . I will be arriving at HND early in the morning 5.30am, hopefully immigration is not going to be busy then!

You should be OK, I've made a 2h International to Domestic connection from QF to JL there at 6am before (including changing terminals) with enough time to take a shower at the lounge.

 

[flyerzz]

Ah yes that's correct regarding luggage. A SYD - CTS via HND would follow their Int'l luggage allowance where as separated it would not.

Regarding the terminals, ANA uses both T2 and T3 for Int'l (T3 is the main Int'l, T2 is effectively ANA and friends domestic terminal with limited Int'l).
The Sydney flight is often at T2 but not always hence why they say it can be either.

On an off note, you can randomly get the Pikachu livery plane and it's extra freebies as SYD-HND is one of its routes.

Yes, I noticed that my flight NH880 is on the Pikachu flight list in ANA website. Does it mean that it will definitely be Pikachu-themed flight, or still random depending on the night?