Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[travelislife]

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

Does anyone know when they usually release SQ J seats? is it T-4 or T-7?

T-14 on Aus/NZ routes.

 

[FreddyFattler]

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

Woohoo just made my first purchase, picked up a cool 90k points...Now to find the time and the place!
Amex gave me a scare, first attempt was blocked by their fraud alert, pretty good actually a simple reply to the text and attempt again and all good.

 

[Stanman]

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

Not sure if this has been mentioned but be careful when purchasing.

The amount to be paid should be equal to half of the miles (eg.50k miles), if you are getting 100k miles.

When I went to purchase last time the payment screen had the amount for 90k (should have been 45k as there was the 2 for 1 promo), I only didnt proceed because I knew something was wrong from prior experience.

The last thing you want to have to do is call Lifemiles over a dodgy Google Voice connection (been there, yelling at my computer so the operator could hear me)

 

[VAG newbie]

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

Not sure if this has been mentioned but be careful when purchasing.

The amount to be paid should be equal to half of the miles (eg.50k miles), if you are getting 100k miles.

When I went to purchase last time the payment screen had the amount for 90k (should have been 45k as there was the 2 for 1 promo), I only didnt proceed because I knew something was wrong from prior experience.

The last thing you want to have to do is call Lifemiles over a dodgy Google Voice connection (been there, yelling at my computer so the operator could hear me)

Same here. For up to 50000 miles, I get bonus, but not more than that even though I haven't purchased any miles on that particular account. I already raised the concern with Lifemiles, and they are looking into it. Has any body been successful in purchasing full 150000 miles (for $2475)?

 

[zainman]

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

Same here. For up to 50000 miles, I get bonus, but not more than that even though I haven't purchased any miles on that particular account. I already raised the concern with Lifemiles, and they are looking into it. Has any body been successful in purchasing full 150000 miles (for $2475)?

Yes. Bought 75K yesterday and got a 75K bonus for $2475 USD.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

Yes. Bought 75K yesterday and got a 75K bonus for $2475 USD.

That's a pretty good deal. Given return business class to North Asia is just 80k return, that works out to about AUD1400 on Singapore Airlines. Including the a380.

 

[SingaporeDon]

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

United does not hold award redemptions but may let you do farelock for a small fee

 

[vitagen]

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

Can't get SQ until t-14 days ex Aus

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

Can't get SQ until t-14 days ex Aus

perfect for those leaving within 14 days!

 

[VAG newbie]

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

That's a pretty good deal. Given return business class to North Asia is just 80k return, that works out to about AUD1400 on Singapore Airlines. Including the a380.

Except the only problem is you can only fly SQ T-14 days, which makes it not very practical.

But definitely a good value whatever you use it.

Few of my Lifemile redemption and flown so far:
1. AC business NRT to YYZ (good seat, so so food, arrogant FA. French Canadian?)
2. ANA business LAX to HND (old angled lie flat. Nothing exciting...)
3. Family of 4 on SQ Business SIN-CDG, then ZRH-SIN (Wow! That was all I can say)

Other LM already redeemed and awaiting to be experienced:
1. EVA BNE-LHR on business. Looking forward to royal laurel with Dom!
2. SAA PER-GRU business. Cheap redemption taken during the promotion at 42500 miles.

My plan for furure use of life miles includes:
1. First class on Thai SYD to Europe
2. More SQ business SIN-Europe or LAX-NRT
3. ANA first class whatever route
4. Turkish airline business class with access to TK lounge in IST, maybe KUL-TLV?

LM, my favorite FFP!

 

[vitagen]

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

I would love to get Eva Air redemptions but seems they have blocked availability

 

[Nizar]

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

That's a pretty good deal. Given return business class to North Asia is just 80k return, that works out to about AUD1400 on Singapore Airlines. Including the a380.

Is MLE North Asia ?

 

[prozac]

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

That's a pretty good deal. Given return business class to North Asia is just 80k return, that works out to about AUD1400 on Singapore Airlines. Including the a380.

J of-course?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

Except the only problem is you can only fly SQ T-14 days, which makes it not very practical.

Perfect for those who decide they want to go somewhere last minute. USDM is the same with CX - our trip to america was booked just a week in advance and was wide open.

Is MLE North Asia ?

Maybe in about another 6 billion years or so with continental drift (no, MLE is considered central asia, 57k each way)

J of-course?

yes. No F available though. But the other option out of AU is TG or AC.

AC is getting fairly hard to come by out of MEL. And TG is pretty much off my list if I can help it.

 

[hummel]

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

perfect for those leaving within 14 days!

Which we do at work all the time, sometimes 3 days notice!

LM works great for us, and it's got even cheaper for our MEL-SIN/BKK-CAN trips every 3 weeks!

 

[VAG newbie]

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

I would love to get Eva Air redemptions but seems they have blocked availability

Not all availability. Still plenty between TPE-CDG and TPE-BKK-LHR. But all BNE-TPE are blocked. I don't know what is it with Australian route, after SQ, now EVA also blocked it. They are all trying to make Australia the world's hardest route to redeem!

 

[drron]

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

Maybe we are the most clued up in regard to award travel?

 

[VAG newbie]

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

Which we do at work all the time, sometimes 3 days notice!

LM works great for us, and it's got even cheaper for our MEL-SIN/BKK-CAN trips every 3 weeks!

I envy you. The nature of my job doesn't involve any traveling so no such thing as 3 day's notice. Rather, any trips will be holiday related and need to have leave booked in advance. It's so competitive in my work place that the school holiday period for Sept-Oct 2015 is fully booked out!

My strategy for that tho, is I'll take whatever award seat is available now, (mostly TG) and wait until T-14. If SQ is available, I'll change it. If not, then I'll stick with TG. Another reason why LM is a good FFP! Flexibility!

 

[drron]

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

Personally I think that at least for premium cabin awards most programs will end up having availability at low redemption cost a week or two out.Not only SQ and Eva.Aadvantage really does look like they have adopted this strategy with their sAAver awards in premium cabins disappearing on International routes except for 1-2 weeks out.
Guess those of us who like to plan ahead are going to have to change our strategy.

 

[VAG newbie]

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

Personally I think that at least for premium cabin awards most programs will end up having availability at low redemption cost a week or two out.Not only SQ and Eva.Aadvantage really does look like they have adopted this strategy with their sAAver awards in premium cabins disappearing on International routes except for 1-2 weeks out.
Guess those of us who like to plan ahead are going to have to change our strategy.

Apparently that AA one was just a glitch.

Lack Of American Saver Award Availability Is A Glitch - One Mile at a Time

Neither do SQ and EVA only limited to T-14, just Australian route. SQ availability ex-SIN on LM is still great. 11 months out SIN-LHR availability is almost daily! So it's just something about Australia.

But maybe you are right. Those buy miles were never intended towards Australian anyway. So people try to buy AS miles got rejected cuz of Australian CC, and BA doesn't allow Australian (ONLY Australian!!!) to enrol with Avios!

There is something about Australia!