Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[luxury-lizard]

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

2. There are no fuel surcharges...only government / airport taxes.

3. Availability on SQ J CLASS, is available only at T-14 days for SIN-Aus/NZ flights...other routes are bookable earlier.

6. Sometimes this is longer, I occasionally see random 12-13 hour transits, however for the purposes of your proposed itin, consider it 8.

I doubt you'd have any issues getting what you want, TG will come to the party as usual I'm sure!

Since I prefer SQ to TG (even more so now with the political situation in Thailand). I book my European trips as 2 awards in each direction (yes, more points but allows a stopover and more options). I book SIN-Europe city on SQ as far out as possible - reasonable availability to FRA, CDG, ZRH and LHR) then at T-14, I book SYD-SIN - always excellent availability with +/- a few days flexibility. (I sometimes book a backup plan using KrisFlyer points which I then cancel if and when I get what I want using LM - SQ's change / cancel fees are very reasonable). Every once and a while I've seen SYD-SIN-CDG offered as a single award at T-14 but have never tried to book. Another things you can do (which I have not personally used but plan to next year) - book SYD-(SIN)-MLE for a nice beach stopover; then MLE-
SIN-European city or MLE-IST-European city (petty much anywhere) on TK - seems to be only available at 350+ days out - suits me as I plan travel a year in advance to get the FF availability I am seeking. (oops forgot to mention having a stopover in MLE makes the 2 awards less miles than just stopping SIN due to a small anomaly in the LM chart)

 

[anna2103]

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

Since I prefer SQ to TG (even more so now with the political situation in Thailand). I book my European trips as 2 awards in each direction (yes, more points but allows a stopover and more options). I book SIN-Europe city on SQ as far out as possible - reasonable availability to FRA, CDG, ZRH and LHR) then at T-14, I book SYD-SIN - always excellent availability with +/- a few days flexibility. (I sometimes book a backup plan using KrisFlyer points which I then cancel if and when I get what I want using LM - SQ's change / cancel fees are very reasonable). Every once and a while I've seen SYD-SIN-CDG offered as a single award at T-14 but have never tried to book. Another things you can do (which I have not personally used but plan to next year) - book SYD-(SIN)-MLE for a nice beach stopover; then MLE-
SIN-European city or MLE-IST-European city (petty much anywhere) on TK - seems to be only available at 350+ days out - suits me as I plan travel a year in advance to get the FF availability I am seeking. (oops forgot to mention having a stopover in MLE makes the 2 awards less miles than just stopping SIN due to a small anomaly in the LM chart)

What are the cancellation fees for awards - your post seems to indicaite that the fees may vary between airlines? Thanks

 

[bcworld]

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

What are the cancellation fees for awards - your post seems to indicaite that the fees may vary between airlines? Thanks

They vary between frequent flyer programs. LifeMiles charges just USD50.

 

[anna2103]

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

They vary between frequent flyer programs. LifeMiles charges just USD50.

Thanks - just one other questions, does other Star Alliance airlines dump availability from Europe about 2 weeks out like SQ does from Sin to Oz? thanks

 

[prozac]

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

Thanks - just one other questions, does other Star Alliance airlines dump availability from Europe about 2 weeks out like SQ does from Sin to Oz? thanks

A slight digression. When booking within the 14 day period does this mean the return journey also needs to be completed within the 14 days?

 

[markis10]

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

A slight digression. When booking within the 14 day period does this mean the return journey also needs to be completed within the 14 days?

Only if you need availability on SQ.

 

[Beta4Me]

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

A slight digression. When booking within the 14 day period does this mean the return journey also needs to be completed within the 14 days?

Just book two one ways.

 

[HWilliams]

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

With the prices supposedly going up in October, do you guys think we should take advantage of the 2x1 offer and buy as many points as possible? I hate the idea of having heaps of points sitting there (after all it's almost like money is sitting there gaining no interest) but in the long term it could make quite a difference money wise.

 

[burmans]

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

With the prices supposedly going up in October, do you guys think we should take advantage of the 2x1 offer and buy as many points as possible? I hate the idea of having heaps of points sitting there (after all it's almost like money is sitting there gaining no interest) but in the long term it could make quite a difference money wise.

Well the fact that prices are going up have persuaded me to buy a few but certainly no going big with no flights in mind. Personally I think LM is one of the best deals around and even if they do go up slightly as mooted will still be good value, I've just got a heap of points at the moment.

 

[anna2103]

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

I have made an award booking - where on their website once you have logged in can you find the booking details. I received an email confirmation immediately after booking, but am assuming a proper ticketing email will come through - is this correct? Thanks

 

[Alanslegal]

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

Once the cost to buy miles increase to $33/1,000 I wonder whether the sliding points & cash payment will change as well. You know how currently the the best price point is when you reach $15/1000 .... so will this also adjust to, say, $16.50/1,000 in the future.

 

[bcworld]

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

I have made an award booking - where on their website once you have logged in can you find the booking details. I received an email confirmation immediately after booking, but am assuming a proper ticketing email will come through - is this correct? Thanks

Go to the TACA website and use their manage booking function. Or just use checkmytrip.

 

[burmans]

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

Once the cost to buy miles increase to $33/1,000 I wonder whether the sliding points & cash payment will change as well. You know how currently the the best price point is when you reach $15/1000 .... so will this also adjust to, say, $16.50/1,000 in the future.

Hard to predict but I'm working on the (worst-case) assumption, it seems likely. If wrong, well I'm wrong on the upside.

 

[anna2103]

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

Go to the TACA website and use their manage booking function. Or just use checkmytrip.

I did what you suggested and it says confirmed rather than ticketed and there was no E ticket number either. Also the name on the booking reads like this first name then middle name then saluation (mss) then my last name. is this an error or just the way they write Mr or Ms or Mrs etc in that part of the world. This is one stressful process!!!

 

[bcworld]

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

I did what you suggested and it says confirmed rather than ticketed and there was no E ticket number either. Also the name on the booking reads like this first name then middle name then saluation (mss) then my last name. is this an error or just the way they write Mr or Ms or Mrs etc in that part of the world. This is one stressful process!!!

The names thing is normal. The no ticketing is normal. Ticketing may take 72 hours.

 

[Moff]

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

The names thing is normal. The no ticketing is normal. Ticketing may take 72 hours.

The names thing is actually something that has stressed me out somewhat as well. The names on my booking with Lifemiles shows up correct, as does my name on my tickets with OZ and TG. However, my partner's name shows First Name Ms Last Name on both the TG and OZ tickets. Lifemiles have said it is ok on their system, OZ has said it shows Ms as the middle name and needs to be changed by Lifemiles. All very confusing.... but that is the joy of using Lifemiles

 

[Myrna]

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

Sorry if the answer to this question is in this thread already. Q: can I use my LM points to book tickets for my cousins - living in Melbourne and wanting to come to Europe? Their family names are different from mine. Thanks!

 

[boomy]

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

Sorry if the answer to this question is in this thread already. Q: can I use my LM points to book tickets for my cousins - living in Melbourne and wanting to come to Europe? Their family names are different from mine. Thanks!

Yes you can I used my account to book tickets for my partner and her mom. Even called LM to make some changes after and it was all ok.

 

[Myrna]

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

Yes you can I used my account to book tickets for my partner and her mom. Even called LM to make some changes after and it was all ok.

Thanks, boomy! Good to know before I start working on an itin for my cousins for June next year.

 

[wchiri]

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

Hey guys, I'm really liking this LM deal, Aug 31 - Sept 20 the wife and I are going to Europe from perth. We would like to visit the following cities, Paris, Munich, Venice, Istanbul and Dubai. At the moment I have found either Thai Airways - Per-Bkk-Cdg in business which is great! Lots of availability within Europe (~12,500 points each), then back home through Istanbul, dubai and back to Perth somehow.

Should I book the flights within europe using LM or cash? They are equating to approx the same with the $0.015 conversion. Another route will be Per-Sin (bookable at T-14) then Sin-CDG bookable now in business class. Thoughts on this?

Open to any suggestions.

Cheers