Navigating ANA’s New Award Search Tool Challenges and Strategies

Post originally Published April 23, 2024 || Last Updated April 23, 2024

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ANA's award search tool is a powerful resource for finding award flights across the Star Alliance network. However, navigating the tool can be challenging, with complex search functions and tricky strategies required to maximize its potential. This comprehensive guide aims to demystify the process, providing step-by-step instructions and insider tips to help travelers unlock the full capabilities of ANA's award search. From understanding the nuances of the ANA award chart to leveraging the multi-city/multi-class search function, this guide equips readers with the knowledge to efficiently unlock award availability and redeem their ANA miles for exceptional value.

ANA's award search tool is the most reliable way to confirm Star Alliance award space, making it an essential tool for maximizing the value of ANA miles.

The ANA award search tool allows users to search for flights across the entire Star Alliance network, including partner airlines like United and SWISS, providing a comprehensive view of available award seats.

By using the multi-city/multi-class search function and searching for round-trip flights, users can increase their chances of finding coveted business-class award availability on the ANA award search tool.

Understanding ANA's award chart, including the rules for round-the-world itineraries, is crucial for effectively navigating the ANA award search tool and extracting maximum value from ANA miles.

The ANA award search tool's ability to display award availability in one-week increments can be particularly helpful in finding the optimal travel dates for award redemptions.

While the ANA award search tool can be challenging to use, especially when searching for partner awards, it remains the most reliable way to confirm Star Alliance award space, making it an essential tool for frequent flyers and miles and points enthusiasts.

What else is in this post?

  1. Navigating ANA's New Award Search Tool Challenges and Strategies - Unlocking ANA's Award Search Tool: A Comprehensive Guide
  2. Navigating ANA's New Award Search Tool Challenges and Strategies - Maximizing Star Alliance Award Availability with ANA
  3. Navigating ANA's New Award Search Tool Challenges and Strategies - Insider Strategies for Navigating ANA's Award Search Interface
  4. Navigating ANA's New Award Search Tool Challenges and Strategies - Exploring Premium Cabin Options with ANA's Revamped Tool
  5. Navigating ANA's New Award Search Tool Challenges and Strategies - Combining ANA's Award Search with Third-Party Resources
  6. Navigating ANA's New Award Search Tool Challenges and Strategies - Tips and Tricks for Efficient Award Booking with ANA


The recent updates to ANA's award search tool have made it easier for travelers to find premium cabin availability on Star Alliance flights. The tool allows users to search for economy class round-trip or Star Alliance Upgrade Awards across the network, providing more flight options. However, locating award space on Star Alliance flights remains a challenging process, as availability is dynamic and can change rapidly. Travelers must be flexible with their search criteria and explore different options across various loyalty programs to maximize their chances of finding the desired flights.

ANA's award search tool allows users to view Star Alliance premium cabin inventory, a feature not commonly found on other airline websites.

The tool's ability to check award availability for a 3-day date range significantly improves the chances of finding suitable flight options.

ANA's website provides access to award space on a wide range of Star Alliance partners, including Air Canada, United, and Avianca, expanding the flight choices for travelers.

While not all ANA-operated flight award inventory is directly searchable through the tool, the option to explore partner airline availability is a valuable feature.

Recent enhancements to the ANA award search tool have made it more user-friendly, addressing previous challenges in navigating the platform.

The dynamic nature of award availability across the Star Alliance network requires travelers to remain flexible and explore multiple program options to maximize their chances of finding the desired flights.

Complementary tools, such as Awards PNR, can be utilized in conjunction with the ANA search tool to further enhance the search process for Star Alliance award space.


Navigating ANA’s New Award Search Tool Challenges and Strategies

Navigating ANA's award search interface can be a challenging task, but there are insider strategies that can help travelers overcome the hurdles. The recent updates to ANA's award search tool have brought back premium cabin Star Alliance inventory, making it more searchable. However, some experts caution against being too aggressive in searching, as ANA's algorithm may detect repeated searches and limit access. One strategy to overcome this challenge is to use the "Useful Tip" feature on the website to set up email alerts for when award seats become available. Additionally, using the "Flexible with dates" option can increase the chances of finding available award seats.

ANA's award search interface underwent a significant update in 2023, restoring the visibility of premium cabin Star Alliance inventory, making it easier for users to search for and book award flights.

The updated ANA Award Search Tool now allows users to set up email alerts for when award seats become available, a feature that can greatly improve the chances of finding desired flights.

Experts recommend using the "Flexible with dates" option on the ANA website to increase the likelihood of finding available award seats, as the tool's algorithm may be sensitive to repeated searches.

While the ANA award search interface has improved, it still does not display all available award seats, especially on partner airlines.

Using complementary tools like ExpertFlyer or United's award search can help uncover additional options.

Searching for award availability on specific routes and dates, rather than the "whole month" view, can provide a more manageable and effective approach to finding suitable flights.

The "award availability" feature on the ANA website allows users to quickly identify flights with award seats, streamlining the search process.

Some travel experts caution against being overly aggressive in searching for award availability, as ANA's algorithm may detect and limit access in response to repeated searches.

Despite the challenges, the updated ANA Award Search Tool offers more visibility and flexibility for users, making it a valuable resource for those seeking to redeem ANA miles for their travel plans.


ANA has introduced its new premium cabin options, "The Room" and "The Suite," which offer a luxurious experience on select routes. While booking these cabins can be challenging due to limited availability, ANA's updated award search tool aims to simplify the process by providing access to premium cabin Star Alliance inventory. However, the search functionality can still be cumbersome, and the website is prone to errors, making the booking experience less than seamless.

ANA's new "The Room" and "The Suite" premium cabins offer a private jet-like experience, with sliding doors for enhanced privacy and advanced seat controls that allow passengers to customize their sleeping and dining positions.

The first-class "The Suite" cabin features a massive 43-inch wide seat that transforms into a fully flat bed over 6 feet long, providing unparalleled comfort for long-haul flights.

ANA's premium economy seats come equipped with high-resolution 16-inch personal IFE screens, allowing passengers to enjoy a cinematic experience in the skies.

ANA's revamped award search tool now integrates premium cabin availability from Star Alliance partners, making it easier to find and book these sought-after seats using miles.

Contrary to previous reports, ANA's latest B787-9 aircraft feature an expanded Premium Class cabin, offering more options for travelers seeking an enhanced flying experience.

The "The Suite" first-class product has been praised by industry experts for its exceptional attention to detail, from the custom-designed bedding to the Michelin-star inspired meal service.

While award availability for ANA's premium cabins can be limited, the airline's mixed-cabin award booking options provide more flexibility in finding suitable flight itineraries.

ANA's premium cabins are currently available on select routes, including flights from New York City JFK to Tokyo Haneda and San Francisco SFO to Tokyo Haneda, but not on Tokyo Narita-bound services through October

Despite the occasional website glitches, ANA's revamped award search tool is a significant improvement, allowing travelers to more efficiently explore and book the airline's top-tier cabin experiences.


ANA's recently updated award search tool offers enhanced functionality, including a "Compare seat availability 3 days" feature that provides users with a more comprehensive view of premium cabin inventory. While the previous search platform had limitations, the new tool has increased capabilities for locating Star Alliance award flights. To complement ANA's own search, travelers can leverage third-party resources like PointsYeah and The Points Guy, which offer comprehensive search functions, award chart insights, and guidance on booking mixed-cabin flights. These external platforms can provide additional filters, clarity on surcharges, and a broader perspective on available flights, enhancing the overall award booking experience.

ANA's new award search tool features a "Compare seat availability 3 days" option, allowing users to view a week's worth of availability for flights, improving the accessibility of premium cabin inventory searches.

While the previous ANA award search tool had limitations, the new platform offers increased functionality for locating Star Alliance award flights.

Third-party resources like PointsYeah and The Points Guy provide comprehensive search functions and valuable information on award chart options, enhancing the overall award search and booking experience.

These third-party tools offer additional filters, clarity on surcharges, and a wider perspective on available flights, complementing ANA's award search tool.

To overcome the limitations of ANA's award search tool, users can combine it with third-party resources such as ExpertFlyer or Award Availability to search for award seats on ANA-operated flights and then verify the results on ANA's platform.

Navigating ANA's new award search tool can be challenging, especially for users unfamiliar with its functionality, leading to difficulties in finding available award seats on popular routes.

Strategies to overcome these challenges include searching for award seats on off-peak days, considering alternative routes, and being flexible with travel dates.

By combining ANA's award search with third-party resources and using these strategies, users can increase their chances of finding available award seats on ANA-operated flights.

The new ANA award search tool's "Compare seat availability 3 days" feature and the complementary third-party resources have the potential to significantly improve the award booking process for ANA travelers.

Overall, the integration of ANA's award search tool with third-party resources offers a more comprehensive and user-friendly experience for travelers seeking to maximize their award redemptions on ANA-operated flights.


Navigating ANA's updated award search tool has presented some challenges, but there are still ways to book efficient and cost-effective award travel. The good news is that premium cabin Star Alliance inventory is now searchable again, allowing travelers to plan more flexible trips.

ANA's award chart provides valuable information on mileage requirements, enabling budget-friendly journey planning. Additionally, the airline's mileage program offers tips and tricks for seasoned travelers, including strategies for booking mixed cabin awards and utilizing stopovers. While the booking process may have changed, with users now required to find desired flights on ANA's first class section and then contact Virgin Atlantic to hold the award, the overall experience appears to have improved compared to the initial challenges.

ANA's new award search tool initially presented challenges, but now enables travelers to easily book flights and plan flexible trips, thanks to the airline's implementation of improvements.

The ANA award chart provides detailed information on mileage requirements for specific routes, allowing travelers to strategize budget-friendly journeys.

ANA Mileage Club offers additional tips and tricks for seasoned travelers, including strategies for booking mixed cabin awards and utilizing stopovers.

ANA releases two business class seats per flight 355 days in advance for US to Japan routes, though it's unclear if this number has decreased to one for non-West Coast cities.

Business-class tickets from the US to Japan can be booked starting at 75,000 miles round-trip on ANA's website, making it a valuable option for travelers.

ANA's award search tool allows searching for award seats on Star Alliance airlines, expanding the booking possibilities for travelers.

Travelers can book off-peak ANA business-class tickets starting at 75,000 miles round-trip from the US to Japan with ANA Mileage Club.

Booking ANA flights can be done from 355 days to 96 hours before departure, so it's important to start searching early to increase the chances of finding award space.

The updated ANA award search tool requires users to find their desired flight on ANA's first class section and then contact Virgin Atlantic to hold the award booking.

ANA's mileage program offers additional tips and tricks for seasoned travelers, providing valuable insights for efficient award booking.

Regularly checking the ANA award search tool is recommended, as award space may become available even if it wasn't initially visible.

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