Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[travelislife]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

your solution and mine both achieve the same thing, except mine is a little more intensive as it requires the offending airline to create space first rather than clearing a waitlist.

however... as bcworld points out, if wait listing is not allowed (specifically ruled out by USDM for example) my method gets around that.

It is not specifically ruled out by USDM. I have done this multiple times now, (at least 8 off the top of my head over the past few years), it will only work when there has been a schedule change. And as I said it has worked EVERY time. If the USDM agent won't do it HUACA, but I have found them to be accommodating if you explain you have been in contact with Thai.

 

[travelislife]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

glad i'm subscribed to this thread... just checked my booking for April - looks like TG471 got binned on the day i was meant to fly so have been moved to the night flight. now got a 13 hour layover in BKK instead of a 2 hour. can't really fly out a day earlier or a day later so looks like we're stuck.

is that long enough to go and see anything in BKK? haven't ever been outside the airport and not sure if the civil unrest is still causing problems?

edit - oh and just to add - lifemiles is still showing award availability on the flight that's been cancelled...awesome

Plenty of time to leave the airport and I most definitely would be. A couple of weeks ago I had a 4 hour layover and went in to town and had breakfast with my Mum. Bangkok has lots of things you can do in 10 hours. The civil unrest won't cause you any issues if you stay away from the protest areas.

 

[bcworld]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

It is not specifically ruled out by USDM.

Well yes, it is - if this is considered 'specific'.

https://www.usairways.com/en-US/dividendmiles/programdetails/memberguide.html

• Open returns and waitlisting for award travel are not permitted.

However, as you know it's a case of YMMV.

I had to fight, fight, fight with US staff and supervisors to get a TG award fixed...even when O class WAS available! Eventually I spoke to a reasonable person. It might not always be as easy as you've found it to be.

 

[mhen]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Really, that's nice.
Did you have to fight for this or was it offered ? Or were you on a revenue fare ?
Do you remember who you spoke to ?

Our return flight has gone from a 2-3 hour transit to 13 hour transit but frankly at the moment this is the least of my problems lol

It was a first class USDM award and they just told us that what they were doing when they met us on arrival at BKK.

 

[Nizar]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Same thing happened to us last month. Thai gave us a day room at the Novotel which included breakfast and lunch buffets. We could have headed downtown for a while but decided to have a nap instead (old age!).

It was a first class USDM award and they just told us that what they were doing when they met us on arrival at BKK.

Is the complimentary Novotel day room which included breakfast and lunch buffets something that is usually just part of the deal when you are flying TG F and have a BKK layover of more than X hours or is it something you usually have to request or fight for ?

Cheers.

 

[mhen]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Is the complimentary Novotel day room which included breakfast and lunch buffets something that is usually just part of the deal when you are flying TG F and have a BKK layover of more than X hours or is it something you usually have to request or fight for ?

Cheers.

Never had it before although the longest daytime layover I have had there is 8 hours. I think it was because they had cancelled the morning flight BKK-SYD that we were originally booked on so the 13 hour layover was of their doing. Probably didn't want a number of passengers spending all that time in the first class lounge.

 

[Nizar]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Never had it before although the longest daytime layover I have had there is 8 hours. I think it was because they had cancelled the morning flight BKK-SYD that we were originally booked on so the 13 hour layover was of their doing. Probably didn't want a number of passengers spending all that time in the first class lounge.

Agree for my 13 hour layover it is also of their doing as it was initially a 2:05 hours transit on the original booking. Would be nice for them to offer me something similar to the service which you received. Seems to be alot of take from them and not much give at least with me up to this point, they've already taken my sanity, my patience and about 20 hours of my time lol.

Also - are schedule changes more common with TG than other airlines ?

I've travelled pretty extensively (at least for my standards, 3-4 international flights, and 2-3 domestic flights a year) for the past few years with QF and SQ on both revenue and award fares and can't remember have ever dealing with a schedule change which lead to a missed connection. Or have I just been lucky so far ?

 

[travelislife]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Yep Thai is definitely worse than other airlines for schedule changes and aircraft swaps, so much so that they are known for it!

 

[bcworld]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Also - are schedule changes more common with TG than other airlines ?

I think schedule changes are common on all airlines, but often they have no impact.

I would say that TG is more prone to playing with frequencies than some others...e.g. going from 14 to 12 a week on a route, or sporadic cancellations a month or so out. They are also very prone to changing aircraft type...and I don't mean on the day, but saying a route will be operated by one aircraft and then later changing their minds.

The TG472 schedule change is particularly disruptive though and makes no sense to pax. It clearly makes more sense to TG who don't have to leave an aircraft sitting on the ground all day in SYD.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Is the complimentary Novotel day room which included breakfast and lunch buffets something that is usually just part of the deal when you are flying TG F and have a BKK layover of more than X hours or is it something you usually have to request or fight for ?

Cheers.

It's not part of the standard award seat service. if they have caused you to misconnect it might be something you want to negotiate with them.

 

[robcuk]

Re: US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

Well as we enjoyed LH F so much in Jan on the 747-4 and we had to pop back to the Uk I've just snagged two tickets to ICN on the 747-8. I've requested the 911 experience again as my partner wasn't with me when I took it for a spin so this time she can drive.

We have the day in Seoul before catching the OZ direct flight back in J which opened up nicely today. Thank you LM again.

 

[Flippantflyer]

Re: US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

Hi guys.

Not sure if you can help me (or if you can, whether you should do so on the thread itself) but I thought it might be worth asking

I've been looking for better than average priced means to get from C3 to C2 and back. Have had great luck C3-C2 (from somewhere I really want to visit) but struggling to find anything C2-C3... If anyone might be prepared to give me a bit of help (or let me know it's nigh on impossible) I'd be super grateful. I'm assuming that smart cough options C2-C6 are non-existent... but if I'm wrong on that all the better!

Cheers

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

Hi guys.

Not sure if you can help me (or if you can, whether you should do so on the thread itself) but I thought it might be worth asking

I've been looking for better than average priced means to get from C3 to C2 and back. Have had great luck C3-C2 (from somewhere I really want to visit) but struggling to find anything C2-C3... If anyone might be prepared to give me a bit of help (or let me know it's nigh on impossible) I'd be super grateful. I'm assuming that smart cough options C2-C6 are non-existent... but if I'm wrong on that all the better!

Cheers

we don't tend to talk in codes here on AFF. So you might want to rephrase your question based on actual named locations

 

[travelislife]

Re: US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

Hi guys.

Not sure if you can help me (or if you can, whether you should do so on the thread itself) but I thought it might be worth asking

I've been looking for better than average priced means to get from C3 to C2 and back. Have had great luck C3-C2 (from somewhere I really want to visit) but struggling to find anything C2-C3... If anyone might be prepared to give me a bit of help (or let me know it's nigh on impossible) I'd be super grateful. I'm assuming that smart cough options C2-C6 are non-existent... but if I'm wrong on that all the better!

Cheers

Most people on here will have no idea what C1, C2, etc. even means.

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

Most people on here will have no idea what C1, C2, etc. even means.

The letters refer to continents, countries, and areas within them. And now I can't find the link to the list... anyone?

 

[bcworld]

Re: US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

The letters refer to continents, countries, and areas within them. And now I can't find the link to the list... anyone?

It's at the top of the LifeMiles J&F thread on Flyertalk. But seriously, can we just not go there!? The only reason for C1-C6 is trick it...and all the trick it experts anyone could ever want are on the FT thread. Getting into that just leads to trouble and all sorts of accusations. I think this thread is fine without it.

 

[bcworld]

Re: US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

Double posting as I've also put this in the US thread:

So for everyone who was inconveniced by the TG472 changes...wait for it...!

THAI Reduces Sydney Service May – Oct 2014 | Airline Route

CLASSIC TG!

 

[Flippantflyer]

Re: US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

It's at the top of the LifeMiles J&F thread on Flyertalk. But seriously, can we just not go there!? The only reason for C1-C6 is trick it...and all the trick it experts anyone could ever want are on the FT thread. Getting into that just leads to trouble and all sorts of accusations. I think this thread is fine without it.

No worries guys and sorry! Thanks anyways I'll have a look at flyertalk - just thought someone here might know.

 

[Happy Trails]

Re: US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

Most people on here will have no idea what C1, C2, etc. even means.

I thought they might be mates of Bananas in Pyjamas.

 

[kpc]

Re: US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

Double posting as I've also put this in the US thread:

So for everyone who was inconveniced by the TG472 changes...wait for it...!

THAI Reduces Sydney Service May – Oct 2014 | Airline Route

CLASSIC TG!

My heart skipped a beat reading this!!

As of 20MAR14, THAI from 29APR14 is reducing Bangkok – Sydney operation, as overall service being reduced from 12 to 10 weekly. This service reduction will be extended until the end of Northern Summer 2014 season, on 25OCT14. In addition to service reduction, THAI once again revised operational schedule for Sydney departure, starting 30MAR14.

TG471 BKK0800 – 2000SYD 747 246
TG475 BKK1920 – 0720+1SYD 747 D

TG476 SYD1000 – 1620BKK 747 D
TG472 SYD1540 – 2200BKK 747 357

Fortunately our flights from Dme to Bkk arr on Thursday so we still take the bolded flights above from Bkk to Syd!!!


What happened to the TG flight that leaves Sydney in late pm and gets into Bkk around 320am which caused all the problems for pax connecting to Europe flights??