Avianca LifeMiles – Bookings and Discussion

[MEL_Traveller]

Yup. The call centre can only see what we can see, and can only book what we can book.

Dunno about the ‘smart-vs-specific’ approach in the search… it seems to be a mixed bag. Sometimes options will only show up if you do a specific airline search.

 

[nthd_nthd]

Oh. I m having trouble seeing their availability. Saw on the calendar with green underlined date but selecting those dates do not have availability

Is this everyday problem with LM or is it my browser or VPN playing up?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Oh. I m having trouble seeing their availability. Saw on the calendar with green underlined date but selecting those dates do not have availability

Is this everyday problem with LM or is it my browser or VPN playing up?

It’s a common problem!

The underline in the ‘availability’ boxes may - or may not - bear any correlation to actual availability

Sometimes you can click on a square that’s not underlined and there will be flights available.

But honestly… why are folk persisting with LM? Points are cheaper with aeroplan, and far more reliable availability.

 

[nthd_nthd]

It’s a common problem!

The underline in the ‘availability’ boxes may - or may not - bear any correlation to actual availability

Sometimes you can click on a square that’s not underlined and there will be flights available.

But honestly… why are folk persisting with LM? Points are cheaper with aeroplan, and far more reliable availability.

True that but I saw more TG on LifeMiles vs Aeroplan. Been searching on both

 

[BobbyFlyer]

True that but I saw more TG on LifeMiles vs Aeroplan. Been searching on both

Agree. Have points on both and from Perth Aeroplan is really good. But LM has its uses particularly when it had good access to TG until recently.

 

[boomy]

Yup. The call centre can only see what we can see, and can only book what we can book.

Dunno about the ‘smart-vs-specific’ approach in the search… it seems to be a mixed bag. Sometimes options will only show up if you do a specific airline search.

This is exactly the problem. When searching by specific airline there will be different results than searching by Smart Search (usually better results) but the call centre can only book whatever availability Smart Search gives. They can often see results given by individual airline search and can confirm seats are indeed available hence they are not necessary phantom. While these seats are not allocated to LM they can be booked direct via the airline or via other *A parters such as UA for example.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Noting the above discussion… i just did a search for BKK-MEL… ‘smart search’ shows nothing, but Thai Airways specific shows various options. Is it safe to assume those will be bookable? I have an orphan 10k, but could buy some miles to make it up to 40k. Aeroplan shows nothing, United matches the LM availability.

 

[BobbyFlyer]

Noting the above discussion… i just did a search for BKK-MEL… ‘smart search’ shows nothing, but Thai Airways specific shows various options. Is it safe to assume those will be bookable? I have an orphan 10k, but could buy some miles to make it up to 40k. Aeroplan shows nothing, United matches the LM availability.

Nup…that was my issue…it may work for that route but all others I’ve been trying it doesn’t…

 

[nthd_nthd]

Noting the above discussion… i just did a search for BKK-MEL… ‘smart search’ shows nothing, but Thai Airways specific shows various options. Is it safe to assume those will be bookable? I have an orphan 10k, but could buy some miles to make it up to 40k. Aeroplan shows nothing, United matches the LM availability.

wow. Thank you thank you. I have been hitting my head in the wall wondering somehow all of the sudden Star Alliance showed no Flights for TG whereas I saw many before. I was like, Crazy, knowing something is not right but forgot to change the search to specific airlines. Your reminder helped me. I saw what I wanted to see now.

Thanks. Smart Search worked too.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Nup…that was my issue…it may work for that route but all others I’ve been trying it doesn’t…

Hmmm… i won’t risk buying more miles then!

 

[boomy]

Did another search today, something simple AUS to Asia. Smart Search nada TG search plenty availability but off course error when trying to book. There was similar availability on the UA website but at 110k miles it was hard pass. Booked QF instead.

 

[bcworld]

I'm trying to book BKK-MEL right now...the availability is real per United.com...but errors every time.

 

[Buzzard]

Hmmm… i won’t risk buying more miles then!

Back in the day LM was quite good and I've booked several flights. The problem is what to do with a remaining miles balance? Thus I've been buying the minimum each year to keep my account alive and not lose everything. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Back in the day LM was quite good and I've booked several flights. The problem is what to do with a remaining miles balance? Thus I've been buying the minimum each year to keep my account alive and not lose everything. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Agree.

I *used* to buy more miles (minimum to keep active each year), but now followed the advice of other AFFers and simply book a hotel, fully refundable, and a week later cancel it. Finding a hotel for 10k points is easy somewhere like bali or bangkok.

 

[I love to travel]

Back in the day LM was quite good and I've booked several flights. The problem is what to do with a remaining miles balance? Thus I've been buying the minimum each year to keep my account alive and not lose everything. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Agree. Aeroplan is the new LM

 

[BobbyFlyer]

True but LM has its uses. When TG starting flying to Perth again earlier in the year it had huge award availability into Asia and Europe. I actually booked our family ski trip to Japan this December flying TG J there and back in Feb. Then next month they closed up some availability and now there’s none. Got to be patient!