Avianca LifeMiles – Bookings and Discussion

[Guvner]

Air NZ have biz awards AKL-NRT and ANA have biz awards NRT-SFO available if you can get across the pond.

 

[tmdl]

Air NZ have biz awards AKL-NRT and ANA have biz awards NRT-SFO available if you can get across the pond.

I was considering that, I might keep an eye on it since VA has reopened Singapore Business class redemptions

 

[jgm]

Is that United?

Yes. The United site has J availability MEL-BKK on TG for at least 2 pax most days. And flyertalk has reports of people redeeming them & being ticketed. Unfortunately, I don't have enough MileagePlus points to nab them myself.

 

[tmdl]

Yes. The United site has J availability MEL-BKK on TG for at least 2 pax most days. And flyertalk has reports of people redeeming them & being ticketed. Unfortunately, I don't have enough MileagePlus points to nab them myself.

Thanks I will definitely look into this

 

[sjb944]

There seems to be no business class to Europe from Australia on Lifemiles these days. Has anyone had any success booking anything of late?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

There seems to be no business class to Europe from Australia on Lifemiles these days. Has anyone had any success booking anything of late?

Nope.

There was the odd routing out there via NRT or ICN. I saw one once. But that's been about it.

You might try ex DPS or similar (VA or JQ to DPS, then LM)

 

[luxury-lizard]

I have friends who had 2*J bookings SYD to LAX return via ICN on OZ booked using LM (departing early May 2022) - both outbound and return were cancelled for no apparent reason (flights were still flying) - LM told them "tough luck".

They had to buy last minute paid tickets on Delta - only sprung for PE but at least it was a non-stop flight. (Delta was the best price). So even you can find award seats - beware.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have friends who had 2*J bookings SYD to LAX return via ICN on OZ booked using LM (departing early May 2022) - both outbound and return were cancelled for no apparent reason (flights were still flying) - LM told them "tough luck".

They had to buy last minute paid tickets on Delta - only sprung for PE but at least it was a non-stop flight. (Delta was the best price). So even you can find award seats - beware.

My OZ booking back from Europe was cancelled mid april, but due to the retiming of the ICN-SYD flight which I think then breached some transit rules. They were cancelled by OZ.

 

[burmans]

I haven't done a comprehensive analysis but I suspect availability across Star Alliance for award flights is limited. I've got points in few airline programs, looking for award flights to Europe in September (so outside peak) I was unable to find much, e.g. SQ no Saver availability except for about 2 days and when you click the Star Alliance tab nothing comes up.

From my understanding while the demand is there airlines are experiencing problems ramping up flights due to lack of staff who they laid off and have found other (perhaps preferable) work options. Unfortunately I think reward flights are first to go in these circumstances, when the seats are in demand from full fare paying customers.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I haven't done a comprehensive analysis but I suspect availability across Star Alliance for award flights is limited. I've got points in few airline programs, looking for award flights to Europe in September (so outside peak) I was unable to find much, e.g. SQ no Saver availability except for about 2 days and when you click the Star Alliance tab nothing comes up.

From my understanding while the demand is there airlines are experiencing problems ramping up flights due to lack of staff who they laid off and have found other (perhaps preferable) work options. Unfortunately I think reward flights are first to go in these circumstances, when the seats are in demand from full fare paying customers.

It's primarily a LM issue.

Availability is out there on other airline programs... like United and Aeroplan for example... including good availability on SQ regional business class to to PER and CNS, and TG from MEL/SYD to BKK.

 

[burmans]

Yeah I appreciate there is availability, NZ for example is wide open and there are Asian options- but the OPs question was specifically about Europe (not Asia) and there options seem extremely limited.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yeah I appreciate there is availability, NZ for example is wide open and there are Asian options- but the OPs question was specifically about Europe (not Asia) and there options seem extremely limited.

It's still a LM issue rather than star alliance as a whole. Getting out of Australia on star alliance is not easy in general, but it is possible on other programs (for example with flights available via other *A FF programs on SQ out of PER or CNS). Then on to Europe is likewise ok. With LM you can't even get out of Australia

 

[Notyourbag]

Anyone switching to Aeromiles (Air Canada) to buy miles?

 

[boomy]

Anyone switching to Aeromiles (Air Canada) to buy miles?

You mean Aeroplan? They had a decent sale last year.
Their miles are not as cheap as LM but definitely easier to redeem. If you don’t have a large amount of LM burning a hole in your pocket then you should definitely look at other *A alternatives such as Aeroplan.

 

[luxury-lizard]

I agree with @boomy re Aeroplan - they have a points sale on now - $.02 AUD - they seem to have a points sale every few months - not as often as LM but almost the same price. You can also buy points on booking an award - less flexible than LM but also for about $.02. You can easily cancel online (I haven't had to modify) - with Covid all fees have been waived (so far) - points and taxes refunded immediately.

Big down side is that AC use variable pricing on their own metal - making these awards out of reach - but not always.

 

[I love to travel]

I agree with @boomy re Aeroplan - they have a points sale on now - $.02 AUD - they seem to have a points sale every few months - not as often as LM but almost the same price. You can also buy points on booking an award - less flexible than LM but also for about $.02. You can easily cancel online (I haven't had to modify) - with Covid all fees have been waived (so far) - points and taxes refunded immediately.

Big down side is that AC use variable pricing on their own metal - making these awards out of reach - but not always.

Are you able to see SQ/TG rewards or is availability limited like LM?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Are you able to see SQ/TG rewards or is availability limited like LM?

Yes - as per my post above - SQ (regional) and TG are all showing on Aeroplan. SQ premium long haul routes are blocked, but that's common across all *A.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I agree with @boomy re Aeroplan - they have a points sale on now - $.02 AUD - they seem to have a points sale every few months - not as often as LM but almost the same price. You can also buy points on booking an award - less flexible than LM but also for about $.02. You can easily cancel online (I haven't had to modify) - with Covid all fees have been waived (so far) - points and taxes refunded immediately.

Big down side is that AC use variable pricing on their own metal - making these awards out of reach - but not always.

Free cancellation has ended for new bookings. Bookings made until 1 June can get one free change. (added for clarity, first column = booking date, second column = effective waiver dates, third column = applicable waiver entitlements)

Through May 31, 2022	Through May 31, 2022	Waived – unlimited
Through May 31, 2022	June 1, 2022, onward	Waived – first change
June 1, 2022, onward	June 1, 2022, onward	Applicable - per fare option purchased

 

[jgm]

You mean Aeroplan? Their miles are not as cheap as LM but definitely easier to redeem.

That's not true. Aeroplan are sold in CA$, while LM are in US$. Usually A$ are close to parity with CA$, so at the moment 1000 Aeroplan miles (without bonuses) will cost CA$35 = ~ A$38 and 1000 LM will cost US$33 = ~ A$48. Granted LM usually have bigger bonuses than Aeroplan, but that isn't always the case.

 

[boomy]

That's not true. Aeroplan are sold in CA$, while LM are in US$. Usually A$ are close to parity with CA$, so at the moment 1000 Aeroplan miles (without bonuses) will cost CA$35 = ~ A$38 and 1000 LM will cost US$33 = ~ A$48. Granted LM usually have bigger bonuses than Aeroplan, but that isn't always the case.

This is AFF, no one here buy miles (I hope) unless they are on decent sale so comparing full cost is completely irrelevant.
LM offer up to 150% bonus on regular basis for years now.