ANA: Complaints about the new fares! Is the new rule the beginning of a “society of air travel disparity”?
Like an LCC? ANA’s “New Fare
“What, I can’t even select a seat when I fly ANA?” This is the kind of confusion that is spreading throughout the world.
ANA ANA will start a new fare system for domestic flights from May 19 this year. The new fare system is a bit harsh, as it does not allow seat selection in advance and reduces the number of baggage items that can be checked in free of charge from two to one if you purchase the lowest fare or on sale.
The frequent flyers have complained that the new rules are in effect a revision of the existing rules and that they are just like LCCs, but in fact, this system is a global standard that has been applied overseas for several years.
What is the harsh reality of the “air travel disparity society” that Japanese people, who have taken full service for granted, are about to face? Travel journalist Shikama Aki examines the reality of the mileage situation that Japanese people are still unaware of, as well as ANA’s aims.
The Severe Reality of “Lowest Fares” Overseas
American Airlines, known as the world’s first airline to introduce a frequent flyer program, will no longer apply miles or loyalty points to passengers traveling on low fares, effective December 17, 2013. This fare, called “Basic Economy” with minimal free services offered to passengers, has been adopted by many airlines in Europe, the U.S., and other countries over the past few years.
The “Basic Economy” fares prevalent overseas are cheaper than regular economy class fares, but are characterized by advance seat selection, charges for checked baggage, no or minimal mileage credit, and later boarding order.
On the other hand, in-flight meals, drinks, and other services are available as with other fares, and the rules for carry-on baggage are basically the same.
Advance seat selection and a minimum charge for one piece of checked baggage are common among LCCs. Moreover, if you try to purchase a higher fare, the price may increase.
Even if you are a senior member of an airline, some airlines offer free advance seat selection and one checked baggage allowance in basic economy, while others do not offer any preferential treatment at all, even for members of the highest tier. Currently, each airline is taking a different approach.
What is the difference between the three new fares?
There are three main new fares for ANA domestic flights: “Simple,” “Standard,” and “Flex.
The “Simple” fare is non-amendable, non-refundable, has a free baggage allowance of one piece (23 kg), does not allow advance seat selection (available 24 hours prior to departure), and does not allow upgrades. The “Simple” category is less expensive and offers the least amount of services.
In contrast, the “Standard” fare offers the same services as the previous fares, such as: fee for reservation change, fee for refund, free baggage allowance of 2 pieces (23 kg), free advance seat selection, and upgrades are allowed. It can be considered as a fare that offers the same services as before.
In addition, “Flex” fares can be purchased up to the day of departure and are full-service fares, including free reservation change/refund
In addition to “Sale,” “ANA Card Discount,” “Biz,” “Shareholder Discount,” and “Islander Discount,” there are also “Youth” (age 12 to 25) and “Senior” (age 65 and over) fares available exclusively to ANA Mileage Club members and ANA Card members.
Please note that the “Nursing Care Discount” will end on May 18, 2014.
How much is it after all? Comparison of old and new fares
How much will the new fares cost? We compared the lowest fares from Tokyo (Haneda) to Sapporo (Shin-Chitose) (all one-way, economy class, as of March 5, 2026).
May 18, 2026
- Super Value 11,460 yen
- Value 33,930 yen
- Shareholder discount 24,580 yen
- Business Ticket 39,870 yen
- Flex ticket 48,340 yen
May 19, 2026】 【May 19, 2026
- Sale 11,490 yen *On sale only during sale period
- Simple 12,370 yen
- Standard 15,780 yen
- Shareholder discount 24,580 yen
- ANA card discount 39,870 yen
- Flex: 48,340 yen
Comparing “Simple” and “Standard,” there is a difference of about 1,000 to 2,000 yen for most routes. If it is a round-trip or a family trip, the difference is not so small. The change is also a blow to families and groups that want to select seats in advance.
On the other hand, for shareholder discount tickets, business tickets, ANA Card discount tickets, and Flex fares, there is not much difference between the fares before May 18 and after May 19. It seems that the fares have remained unchanged from the old ones.
Please be careful! Cancellation fees have also changed.
With the new fares, for example, even the highest ANA Mileage Club “Diamond Service” members who buy Economy Class “Simple” will not be able to select their seats in advance.
Even stricter are the changes to the cancellation policy. The lowest fare “Super Value” had been “refundable only until 55 days before departure,” but from now on, a cancellation fee will be charged immediately after the ticket is issued, even if the departure date is far in advance.
The cancellation fee will be approximately 10% of the fare up to 45 days before departure, 20% up to 28 days before departure, 30% from 27 days before to before departure, and 100% after departure, in addition to a refund fee of 440 yen per ticket (per sector). For “Value” tickets, the fee is only about 5% of the fare from the time of purchase until before departure.
We directly contacted ANA! The “intention” of the new rule
The FRIDAY Digital editorial department sent a letter of inquiry to ANA, and received the following answers.
The reason for introducing the new fares is “renewal of domestic fares in conjunction with the integration of the passenger service systems for domestic and international flights,” and that “we have reviewed the fare structure to better meet the diversifying needs of our customers, not only domestic but also international customers.
The new fares are not in line with the overseas market, where basic economy fares are more prevalent, but rather “to strengthen our fare lineup to meet the wide-ranging needs of our customers”.
Regarding the new baggage rules, the airline said, “There is no fare with zero free baggage allowance in our renewed fare lineup, and the ‘Simple’ fare allows one free baggage allowance of 23 kg, which is heavier than the current 20 kg free baggage allowance. The answer is “0”.
As for the lack of preferential treatment for Diamond members in terms of advance seat selection, the answer was “We will continue to offer areas for seat selection for ‘Flex’ and ‘Standard’ fares.
No miles? The Growing “Sky Gap
With the rise of LCCs, it is not unusual for a short-haul flight to cost several thousand yen each way in Europe
In the U.S., there is a further precedent.
United Airlines is offering a 10% discount on tickets booked in exchange for miles to holders of its MileagePlus credit and debit cards, and a 15% discount to “Premier” members who hold co-branded cards. On the other hand, in Basic Economy, even MileagePlus members will be required to have the co-branded card from April of this year.
Delta Airlines, in principle, does not allow Basic Economy members to earn miles or the credits necessary to qualify for advanced membership. American Airlines, introduced earlier, has followed suit.
In Japan, many people may think that “major airlines offer better service than LCCs, and seat selection and baggage are free.
However, overseas, there have been a series of more severe changes, such as cases in which even senior members are not given preferential treatment, and even frequent flyer members are required to have a co-branded card.
Will the new fares for ANA’s domestic flights really take root in Japan? It will also be interesting to see if other airlines will follow suit.
Interview, text, and photos： Shikama Aki