Points and miles collection in Japan for the non-Japanese.
A 25-Hour Homecoming: How ANA Miles Saved My Trip
When family plans suddenly shifted, ANA miles came to the rescue. What was supposed to be a two-week stay in Manila turned into a whirlwind 25-hour homecoming—later stretched to four days—thanks to clever one-way redemptions. From premium economy quirks to business class perks, lounge mix-ups, and a surprising ¥10 refund, this story shows how miles aren’t just for luxury—they’re for life’s unexpected moments. Join me as ANA miles turned chaos into connection, one flight at a time.
Sometimes, miles aren’t just about luxury cabins or aspirational redemptions. They’re about being exactly where you need to be, at the right time. My recent whirlwind journey proved just that.
It all started when my parents had to postpone their long-awaited trip to Japan due to illness. They were supposed to arrive at the end of September 2025, but suddenly, everything was up in the air. Thinking they wouldn’t make it for another two weeks, I asked myself: What if I go home first, then return with them?
Luckily, I had a stash of ANA miles waiting to be used. My first target was a round-trip business class ticket, but the miles weren’t enough. Premium economy was possible, but the dates didn’t line up. Then I remembered ANA’s new one-way international award redemptions—a game-changer.
So I pieced together a plan:
Haneda–Manila in Premium Economy
Manila–Haneda in Business Class
Perfect. Or so I thought.
The Twist: Parents Too Excited to Wait
I had planned to stay in Manila for two weeks. But my parents, who’ve been visiting Japan annually since I moved here (except during the pandemic), couldn’t wait that long. Their “postponement” turned out to be just one week. Which meant I’d be flying back with them only 25 hours after landing in Manila.
Thankfully, ANA allowed me to change my redemption to match their flight. Even better, I somehow got a ¥10 refund on fees—don’t ask me why, but I’ll take it.
The 25 Hours That Became Four Days
On September 29, I checked if I could move my Haneda–Manila flight earlier than October 5. To my surprise, a seat opened up for October 1. By 8 a.m. on September 30, I had rebooked, and within an hour, I was already checking in online.
This was also my first international trip without checked luggage—a small experiment to save time at the forever-crowded Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Flight to Manila (October 1)
That morning flight to Manila was a mix of excitement and experimentation. I redeemed 16,500 miles and paid ¥11,000 in fees, which felt like a bargain for the flexibility it gave me. Flying on ANA’s B787-9 Dreamliner, I settled into premium economy, grateful for lounge access before departure. My bulkhead seat turned out to be a blessing—no one reclining into my space, just a comfortable recline and decent legroom. The legrest needed a bit of manual persuasion to work, but once adjusted, it made the ride smoother. WiFi was available, though only free for business class passengers, so I skipped it and enjoyed the quiet. Overall, the flight was comfortable, efficient, and a reminder that even premium economy can feel like a smart redemption when timed right.
Flight Back to Haneda (October 6)
Flying business class with my parents was a treat, primarily because this became possible courtesy of the 26,500 miles I redeemed (and only ¥4,800 in fees). Check-in at NAIA Terminal 3 was surprisingly efficient—done in 30 minutes, which is lightning-fast by Manila standards. Immigration had a separate line for business passengers, and the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)/travel tax refund counter was conveniently beside check-in.
We had lounge access, but here’s where I made a rookie mistake: we went straight to the PAGSS lounge, only to learn later that we also had access to the Singapore Airlines lounge. My parents refused to move, so lesson learned—always check your lounge options.
Boarding was chaotic; by the time we arrived at the gate, they were already boarding the last group. Pushback was early, but takeoff was delayed by rain and runway congestion. Onboard WiFi worked for Facebook, Viber, and LINE, but oddly not iMessage.
Post-Flight Lessons
Here’s where I tripped up: I entered my United MileagePlus number instead of ANA’s, because I wanted to earn miles that do not expire. However, since this was a pure award redemption, I earned neither miles nor premium points. Retroactive crediting attempts with Philippine Airlines also failed.
Lesson learned: On award flights, always stick with the operating airline’s loyalty number.