Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[leyy]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

What options from Sydney or east cost to TPE or NRT/HND/KIX

Im looking at availability from Feb-April 2016 and cant find much in J/F


Cheers

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

What options from Sydney or east cost to TPE or NRT/HND/KIX

Im looking at availability from Feb-April 2016 and cant find much in J/F


Cheers

Check out United.com - they're usually pretty good at listing everything save for Singapore Airlines.

Once you have found something on United, enter the segments into Lifemiles sector by sector to generate the screenshots required.

I'm finding pretty much wide open availability for 2 seats, everyday in Feb, from SYD to NRT/KIX via BKK or ICN. (I didn't check HND or TPE)

 

[leyy]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Check out United.com - they're usually pretty good at listing everything save for Singapore Airlines.

Once you have found something on United, enter the segments into Lifemiles sector by sector to generate the screenshots required.

I'm finding pretty much wide open availability for 2 seats, everyday in Feb, from SYD to NRT/KIX via BKK or ICN. (I didn't check HND or TPE)

Great tip!

Cheers,
leyy

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

I'm finding pretty much wide open availability for 2 seats, everyday in Feb, from SYD to NRT/KIX via BKK or ICN. (I didn't check HND or TPE)

I don't think you can book any of the SYD to NRT/KIX via ICN with LM. It requires overnight transit and LM won't allow it.

Happy to be proven wrong.

However, NRT/KIX - SYD via ICN is wide open and no need of screen shots.

At the moment, CTS seem to be the only Japanese port that is not affected by the IT glitch and no need of screenshot. I've found availability MEL/SYD/BNE to CTS on TG no trouble. On return leg, only CTS-SYD tho as the connection time for other ports seem to be > 8 hours. But I guess you can plan your trip with SYD-CTS with TG, start with skiing and snow festival in Hokkaido, then come back on NRT-SYD with OZ if you want to avoid the hassle of screenshot.

What options from Sydney or east cost to TPE or NRT/HND/KIX

There is possibility of BNE-TPE on BR, but they seem to be T-14 only.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Did Air China closed it's award inventory to partners? A couple of weeks ago it was wide open, but now I can't find anything! Not even in UA site so it's not a LM glitch.

If this is true, it's bad news! We have lost another generous *A member, making LM more useless. Lets hope OZ&TG don't do that

Bummer! I just topped up some miles....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Did Air China closed it's award inventory to partners? A couple of weeks ago it was wide open, but now I can't find anything! Not even in UA site so it's not a LM glitch.

If this is true, it's bad news! We have lost another generous *A member, making LM more useless. Lets hope OZ&TG don't do that

Bummer! I just topped up some miles....

I just found availability 21/22/23 May MEL-PVG on Air China in business class.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

I just found availability 21/22/23 May MEL-PVG on Air China in business class.

That's like T-14! Don't tell me CA has gone that path too.....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

That's like T-14! Don't tell me CA has gone that path too.....

No... that's not like T-14 at all. I just picked some random dates. Looking at July (again random) there is wide open availability MEL-PEK in business class on the CA166. The United tool is your friend for finding availability.

Before you say 'that's only MEL-PEK'... I haven't checked SYD-PVG or SYD-PEK or all other ports from Asia to China, or all possible routes from China to America or Europe.

However testing your concerns that CA has withdrawn all availability, the random dates seem to indicate they haven't. (But then i haven't tried to book the flights.)

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

No... that's not like T-14 at all. I just picked some random dates. Looking at July (again random) there is wide open availability MEL-PEK in business class on the CA166. The United tool is your friend for finding availability.

Before you say 'that's only MEL-PEK'... I haven't checked SYD-PVG or SYD-PEK or all other ports from Asia to China, or all possible routes from China to America or Europe.

However testing your concerns that CA has withdrawn all availability, the random dates seem to indicate they haven't. (But then i haven't tried to book the flights.)

OK, looks like rather than closing down everything, they have withdrawn some, unfortunately SYD-PEK seem to be withdrawn, and PEK to LAX/JFK also withdrawn. So unfortunately it is not as useful as it was. That leaves AUS-USA with OZ as the only one with wide open availability. However, I have found some nice route that still has excellent availability (I won't say wide open as it is not available everyday): MEL-PVG/PEK-CDG.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

OK, looks like rather than closing down everything, they have withdrawn some, unfortunately SYD-PEK seem to be withdrawn, and PEK to LAX/JFK also withdrawn. So unfortunately it is not as useful as it was. That leaves AUS-USA with OZ as the only one with wide open availability. However, I have found some nice route that still has excellent availability (I won't say wide open as it is not available everyday): MEL-PVG/PEK-CDG.

Air China availability seems to go through cycles... plenty there one day, limited or none for a while, then back to plenty.

MEL-PVG was like that for a few months last year - hard to find anything, or sometimes only one day a week. It seems to be in the 'much better' stage now.

 

[RB]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

OK, looks like rather than closing down everything, they have withdrawn some, unfortunately SYD-PEK seem to be withdrawn, and PEK to LAX/JFK also withdrawn. So unfortunately it is not as useful as it was. That leaves AUS-USA with OZ as the only one with wide open availability. However, I have found some nice route that still has excellent availability (I won't say wide open as it is not available everyday): MEL-PVG/PEK-CDG.

Just for some clarity, perhaps you can tell me how many trips you actually plan to travel this year using LM points? Also roughly how many trips you have already taken using LM. I seem to recall that someone on here or FT was doing a lot of booking but had just as many cancellations.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Just for some clarity, perhaps you can tell me how many trips you actually plan to travel this year using LM points?

This year? Leaving today, BNE-TPE-LHR on Eva. In Sept, SYD-ICN with OZ, GMP-HND with NH, NRT-BKK-SYD with TG. Oct, PER-JNB-GRU with SA. More next year: Feb 16, SYD-BKK-NRT with TG, Apr 16, LAX-NRT-SIN with NH. This is in combination with other FFPs.

Also roughly how many trips you have already taken using LM

Last year, I did 4xJ(!) with SQ, SIN-CDG and ZRH-SIN (the good old days.....). ZRH-FRA-NRT with LH. NRT-YYZ with AC, YYZ-LAX-NRT with AC/NH, all with LM.

I seem to recall that someone on here or FT was doing a lot of booking but had just as many cancellations.

That ain't me. I only did one cancellation ever with LM. That was for a change of date (due to unforeseen circumstances) as it was cheaper to cancel and rebook. In fact I would advice my fellow travelers, as much as possible, don't cancel with LM. The hassles of calling LM and to get the taxes and fees back is a big headache. Plan well before you book. That is why I am already planning for my trip in May 2016.

I have more than 9 weeks worth of PDLs left so I need to burn it, that's why I am traveling around the world like crazy.

 

[RB]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

This year? Leaving today, BNE-TPE-LHR on Eva. In Sept, SYD-ICN with OZ, GMP-HND with NH, NRT-BKK-SYD with TG. Oct, PER-JNB-GRU with SA. More next year: Feb 16, SYD-BKK-NRT with TG, Apr 16, LAX-NRT-SIN with NH. This is in combination with other FFPs.



Last year, I did 4xJ(!) with SQ, SIN-CDG and ZRH-SIN (the good old days.....). ZRH-FRA-NRT with LH. NRT-YYZ with AC, YYZ-LAX-NRT with AC/NH, all with LM.



That ain't me. I only did one cancellation ever with LM. That was for a change of date (due to unforeseen circumstances) as it was cheaper to cancel and rebook. In fact I would advice my fellow travelers, as much as possible, don't cancel with LM. The hassles of calling LM and to get the taxes and fees back is a big headache. Plan well before you book. That is why I am already planning for my trip in May 2016.

I have more than 9 weeks worth of PDLs left so I need to burn it, that's why I am traveling around the world like crazy.

Thanks that certainly clarifies! Heres hoping the scheme maintains its value

 

[seritonin]

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

I don't think you can book any of the SYD to NRT/KIX via ICN with LM. It requires overnight transit and LM won't allow it.

Happy to be proven wrong.

However, NRT/KIX - SYD via ICN is wide open and no need of screen shots.

At the moment, CTS seem to be the only Japanese port that is not affected by the IT glitch and no need of screenshot. I've found availability MEL/SYD/BNE to CTS on TG no trouble. On return leg, only CTS-SYD tho as the connection time for other ports seem to be > 8 hours. But I guess you can plan your trip with SYD-CTS with TG, start with skiing and snow festival in Hokkaido, then come back on NRT-SYD with OZ if you want to avoid the hassle of screenshot.



There is possibility of BNE-TPE on BR, but they seem to be T-14 only.[/COLOR]

Thanks for taking the credit for CTS ...

 

[Gold Member]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Now that SQ J ex MEL/BNE is possible again the LM bonus offer looks even better

I haven't kept up with the nuances in LM recently, but I know there are some bugs nowadays. I'm trying to redeem on MEL-SIN SQ J but not finding anything over the next few months. Is there a trick to searching in LM? Will I need to send screen shots as well?

 

[tinkybelle]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

No it isn't you . its them I tried 5 different cards yesterday all knocked back
most cards put a fraud on when using at this site.AMEX bank cards are the worst!
its better to get them to cancel it and re book using a different credit card!
as I have never seen the flight not come back into inventory unless you have booked months ago.

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

I haven't kept up with the nuances in LM recently, but I know there are some bugs nowadays. I'm trying to redeem on MEL-SIN SQ J but not finding anything over the next few months. Is there a trick to searching in LM? Will I need to send screen shots as well?

You can read about it starting from post #4402.
Basically you search MEL-KUL or MEL-CTS and take screenshot of the multi-city itinerary which includes the MEL-SIN sector. Then do a simple search only MEL-SIN which will return negative result, take another screenshot and email both to [email protected] together with your details and membership number.

 

[Gold Member]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

You can read about it starting from post #4402.
Basically you search MEL-KUL or MEL-CTS and take screenshot of the multi-city itinerary which includes the MEL-SIN sector. Then do a simple search only MEL-SIN which will return negative result, take another screenshot and email both to [email protected] together with your details and membership number.

Thanks Boomy, that's what I thought. I've searched with KUL, CGK and DPS per advice in previous threads but nothing showing. Must be just a case of availability

BTW, do I need to force SQ as Airline or leave it open to SmartSearch?

 

[boomy]

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

Thanks Boomy, that's what I thought. I've searched with KUL, CGK and DPS per advice in previous threads but nothing showing. Must be just a case of availability

BTW, do I need to force SQ as Airline or leave it open to SmartSearch?

Just leave at SmartSearch to let the system select different airlines (together with SQ).
If you have a way to get to PER, availability is pretty good from there.

 

[Gold Member]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

I managed to find some availability to SIN, thanks. The challenge is now the return (SIN-MEL). I've tried several different origins to overcome the bug, but nada... any ideas?