All Nippon Airways

Pros

• High service standards, often preferred over carriers like United
• Allows booking for up to nine people in a single transaction
• Frequent monthly sales can lead to highly competitive promotional fares
• Highly rated economy class experience
• Promotional fares sometimes include free domestic connections within Japan

Cons

• Standard fares are often expensive compared to budget or mid-tier carriers
• Business class award availability is extremely limited and difficult to secure with miles
• Strict customer service policies regarding name changes and booking modifications
• Award seats for Star Alliance partners may only be released ~15 days before departure

Caveats

• Redemption can be elusive in regions (like India) that lack direct credit card transfer partners
• Significant price gap exists between non-refundable promotional tickets and flexible refundable options
• Business class award searches across partners like United or Aeroplan often yield no results

Best for

• Travelers seeking a high-quality full-service experience to Japan
• Large families or groups (up to 9) booking together
• Budget-conscious travelers who can wait for monthly sales cycles

Avoid if

• You are primarily looking to book business class seats using partner miles
• You require flexible name-change or booking correction policies
• You are traveling on a tight budget outside of promotional windows