What happened
LoyaltyLobby reports that ANA agents at Osaka Itami refused earlier-flight standby on a United MileagePlus award from Itami to Haneda costing 6,000 miles plus $5.60. Gold Elite and regular agents both said partner-issued awards can no longer stand by for earlier ANA domestic flights.
The same perk had worked on an NH ticket a week earlier and on ANA awards the prior year. A traveler on an ANA-issued award connecting at Haneda was rebooked at check-in onto a domestic flight 3 hours earlier. ANA's published rules still describe same-day standby in the same class and terminal and do not mention partner tickets. The refusal may be limited to Osaka Itami.
The United ticket was voided in the app at no charge and the miles were refunded. A last-minute Japan Airlines 787 one-way leaving shortly afterward cost about $100. Cancel and rebook, or buy cash, rather than expecting airport standby for an earlier ANA domestic flight on a partner award.
- Numbers
- 6000 miles: United MileagePlus award cost for Itami to Haneda
- $5.60: taxes on the MileagePlus award
- $100: approximate last-minute Japan Airlines one-way fare
- 6k miles: MileagePlus miles compared with the cash JAL ticket
- Where
- Osaka Itami, Tokyo Haneda
- Who qualifies
- Standby for earlier ANA domestic flights still appears available on ANA-issued (NH-coded) tickets, but not on partner-issued awards such as United MileagePlus, according to airport staff.
- Links
- Program page ANA domestic standby request conditions ana.co.jp
- Takeaway
- If you need an earlier ANA domestic flight on a partner award, plan to cancel and rebook or buy cash rather than expecting airport standby.