Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[Wozz]

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

Will definitely print out the *Alliance rules as I have read reports of being denied access to the SQ F lounge...!

 

[boomy]

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

Will definitely print out the *Alliance rules as I have read reports of being denied access to the SQ F lounge...!

They may try to direct you to the NZ lounge next door. Don't go there! If you insist they will eventually let you in.

 

[RB]

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

I had a some 6-7 hours layovers there and time went by very quickly. Unlike QF F, at TG F you can relax in your own private room which is great.
The only problem I had was deciding between Royal Salute and Hennessy XO. My solution was to start with the first and finish with the second

Just for other people reading, I am not sure that there is always a spare private room available. The general lounge is fine but I agree it is a bonus if you can get a private room.

 

[knightman7]

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

Insist at the SQ lounge desk. And make sure you head right for the SQ F lounge when they eventually let you in. If you are on the 3.40pm TG flight then bear in mind that SQ 222 leaves around that time so they don't have food available in SQ lounge as they clean it up since there are no more SQ pax around.

 

[knightman7]

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

Just a tip on the TG F cabin. The further forward you go on the refurbed 747, the hotter and less air circulation you get. So row 1 can get unbearable sometimes and row 2 is stuffy as well. I would select 3A and if not available, 2A as a single passenger on the SYD/BKK leg. BKK/MXP on the older configuration is better imo and 2A or 2K are the best I feel followed by 3A or 3K.

 

[Wozz]

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

Insist at the SQ lounge desk. And make sure you head right for the SQ F lounge when they eventually let you in. If you are on the 3.40pm TG flight then bear in mind that SQ 222 leaves around that time so they don't have food available in SQ lounge as they clean it up since there are no more SQ pax around.

That's useful information - we will probably head there a bit earlier to grab some lunch!

Just a tip on the TG F cabin. The further forward you go on the refurbed 747, the hotter and less air circulation you get. So row 1 can get unbearable sometimes and row 2 is stuffy as well. I would select 3A and if not available, 2A as a single passenger on the SYD/BKK leg. BKK/MXP on the older configuration is better imo and 2A or 2K are the best I feel followed by 3A or 3K.

3F/3K is blocked on the SYD/BKK leg but I reckon we should be able to arrange for 3E/3F - otherwise we will go with 3A and 3E based on your suggestions.

We have already booked in for 2A / 2K on the BKK/MXP leg - to me the middle seats do looked a bit exposed...!

Any tips on the seat selection for the CDG-BKK A380 F?

 

[boomy]

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

Any tips on the seat selection for the CDG-BKK A380 F?

I thought 2A was a good choice. Preferred it over 1A which felt a bit too close to the toilet.

 

[mushypeas]

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

I too have a long layover late August... have about 8 hours before heading off to LHR - flying TG F, should I just take it easy or head to a nice rooftop bar in Bangkok for coughtails?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

worth noting some crew on TG like to block the two seats in the centre of the 747 F cabin for them to have a sleep. On my last flight they asked the pax with boarding passes to move to row 2!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

I too have a long layover late August... have about 8 hours before heading off to LHR - flying TG F, should I just take it easy or head to a nice rooftop bar in Bangkok for coughtails?

I would be getting a hotel room (novotel supposedly offers better walk-up rates than if you book in advance). if you want a bar... maybe head to the Vertigo Bar (top floor Banyan Tree) for a couple drinks if you can be bothered. Return with a couple hours for a shower/massage.

 

[mushypeas]

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

nice one, thanks!

 

[Wozz]

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

I would be getting a hotel room (novotel supposedly offers better walk-up rates than if you book in advance). if you want a bar... maybe head to the Vertigo Bar (top floor Banyan Tree) for a couple drinks if you can be bothered. Return with a couple hours for a shower/massage.

BKK traffic can be bad at times so make sure you leave plenty of time for your journey back to the airport if you do end up heading to Vertigo!

worth noting some crew on TG like to block the two seats in the centre of the 747 F cabin for them to have a sleep. On my last flight they asked the pax with boarding passes to move to row 2!

That's really strange - aren't they better off blocking the 1A/1K seats instead?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

That's really strange - aren't they better off blocking the 1A/1K seats instead?

Can't really have crew sleeping in 1A/K They prefer to reserve the last row so they can sneak in and sleep without being noticed. (Doesn't happen on all flights, but they have done it on a couple of overnighters I've been on)

 

[bcworld]

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

BKK traffic can be bad at times so make sure you leave plenty of time for your journey back to the airport if you do end up heading to Vertigo!

Take the train.

 

[diningdecadence]

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

We will be in the TG F lounge in BKK on Mon 8 Sep from 430-11pm if any other AFfers around

So that's why I couldn't get syd-bkk F! (Travelling on a USDM rather than LM ticket)

will be connecting from syd J to CDG F same time so may see you there. Haven't decided whether to head into town or not as neither the gf or I have been to Bangkok previously.

whats the champagne they serve in the F lounge at BKK? And what's the airport like generally? Plenty of things to do a la SIN, or is the underlying suggestions for going into town because there aren't much to do?

 

[bcworld]

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

whats the champagne they serve in the F lounge at BKK? And what's the airport like generally? Plenty of things to do a la SIN, or is the underlying suggestions for going into town because there aren't much to do?

I don't think there's anything to do in the airport! It's not the Oasis of calm that SIN is although I have no issues with BKK.

For a stopover at the right time of day I'm more than happy with the opportunity to pop into Bangkok. The train can get you into the thick of it in about 20 mins for next to nothing.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

So that's why I couldn't get syd-bkk F! (Travelling on a USDM rather than LM ticket)

will be connecting from syd J to CDG F same time so may see you there. Haven't decided whether to head into town or not as neither the gf or I have been to Bangkok previously.

whats the champagne they serve in the F lounge at BKK? And what's the airport like generally? Plenty of things to do a la SIN, or is the underlying suggestions for going into town because there aren't much to do?

Champagne in the lounge is a standard brut (non vintage). Something like a moet.

BKK airport! Absolutely nothing to do. There is the standard array of duty free shops and outlets but that's about it. There is a carving in the centre of the main concourse (3 mins) and an interesting photo of all the world's royal families who attended an event for the Thai Royal family a few years ago (10 mins - it's quite interesting!)

otherwise... it's a large tiled area, harshly lit, huge distances to walk, and with competing "'[bwang, bwang] 'end of the walkway'" tones and announcements from various automated walkways.

 

[boomy]

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

And what's the airport like generally? Plenty of things to do a la SIN, or is the underlying suggestions for going into town because there aren't much to do?

The only thing I like at the airport is the cheap massage. If I have a long layover I will get another 1 hour foot massage for 500THB in addition to the complementary 1 hour oil massage in the F lounge.

 

[burmans]

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

Take the train.

Agree, the train is way faster in just about all conditions!

 

[bcworld]

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

"'[bwang, bwang] 'end of the walkway'"

I have that cutesy voice etched into my brain I think...I actually look forward to hearing it when I'm there! Although, I have a feeling when I stay in the transit hotel I'll be hearing it ALL night long! It's not as good as Japanese train station jingles though!