Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[JessicaTam]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Dear LifeMiles member:

Avianca Holdings S.A. has incorporated Advent International – one of the largest and most experienced international private equity firms - as financial partner of LifeMiles B.V. Through this agreement, Advent acquired an equity stake of 30% of LifeMiles B.V., while Avianca Holdings S.A. keeps the remaining 70%.

With this transaction, the company seeks to reinforce its loyalty framework and gradually expand its products and options, in order to provide more and improved benefits to its members. The intended purpose is to further strengthen LifeMiles, already recognized as one of the best frequent flyer programs in Latin America and the world.

In addition to their financial support, we hope to build on more than 30 years´ experience of Advent International in 40 countries, and leverage the development of successful strategic growth initiatives for LifeMiles B.V.

At Avianca Holdings S.A. and LifeMiles B.V. we trust this step will transform into more benefits for you and for each of our members who provide us with their preference and loyalty and continue to give meaning to our work.

Toasters???

 

[Gold Member]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Toasters???

Tostadoras...

 

[Nizar]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Has anyone here used LM to get flights on LH F ex-FRA ?
Do LH still release F seats to partners at the last min (t-3 ?)
Are any routes easier to find seats than others ? I am particularly looking for ex-FRA so I can try the famed FCT.
As I understand it 333, 343 and 388 have similar F products ?

Cheers

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Has anyone here used LM to get flights on LH F ex-FRA ?
Do LH still release F seats to partners at the last min (t-3 ?)
Are any routes easier to find seats than others ? I am particularly looking for ex-FRA so I can try the famed FCT.
As I understand it 333, 343 and 388 have similar F products ?

Cheers

LH still release F to partners at T-14, but LM has been blocking it

 

[Nizar]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

LH still release F to partners at T-14, but LM has been blocking it

Damn. FML lol

 

[gupayami]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Some interesting glitches in the matrix, SQ F available DEL - SIN for some dates...
UA SYD - SFO for others...

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Some interesting glitches in the matrix, SQ F available DEL - SIN for some dates...
UA SYD - SFO for others...

Theyre not glitches. Always been available for some dates.

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

ANAs new SYD service is official, per airlineroute:
Proposed schedule as follow.
NH879 HND2210 – 0935+1SYD 789 D
NH880 SYD2130 – 0505+1HND 789 D
NH880 operation begins on 12DEC15.

I expect this will be a very, very popular flight for Lifemiles redemptions given how generous the zoning table is for North Asia.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

ANAs new SYD service is official, per airlineroute:
Proposed schedule as follow.
NH879 HND2210 – 0935+1SYD 789 D
NH880 SYD2130 – 0505+1HND 789 D
NH880 operation begins on 12DEC15.

I expect this will be a very, very popular flight for Lifemiles redemptions given how generous the zoning table is for North Asia.

It will also open up ways to connect to Europe and USA as it's a night flight and allows connection much easily. NH is also known to be one of the more generous airline when it comes to releasing award seats. I'm very looking forward to it.

 

[anat0l]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I expect this will be a very, very popular flight for Lifemiles redemptions given how generous the zoning table is for North Asia.

I don't get this remark. It costs the same in J to go from Australia to South Asia or North Asia.

It does add another way to get to North Asia, or Tokyo specifically. Previous to this, you had SQ (way, way difficult), BR (difficult as well), OZ, TG and CA (unknown how difficult). I'd probably take this NH flight over a TG connector, unless I was trying to get TG F on two sectors to Tokyo.

It can also make for decent connecting itineraries to the other "city" airports in the region, e.g. Taipei-Songshan, Shanghai-Hongqiao, Seoul-Gimpo, as well as several domestic Japan airports (greater variety than from NRT).

It will also open up ways to connect to Europe and USA as it's a night flight and allows connection much easily. NH is also known to be one of the more generous airline when it comes to releasing award seats. I'm very looking forward to it.

What are the direct NH connections to those respective continents? Are they within 8 hours of the arrival time in Haneda? Or does the 8 hour principle not apply? What about timing the other way around (i.e. back to Australia)?

Does LifeMiles allow co-terminal connections? That is, can you fly into HND and then connect out of NRT on the same ticket (and thus pay one cost)? If the answer is 'no', that might put a lot of brakes on connecting tickets. Also keep in mind that it takes about 3 hours to safely transfer between HND and NRT. Not a big deal if your transit is very long, but something to keep in mind for connection options, should LifeMiles decide to throw a few interesting ones up.

Let's hope LifeMiles will have the NH seats loaded up in their system posthaste.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Also keep in mind that it takes about 3 hours to safely transfer between HND and NRT.

Good point - 3 clear hours airport-to-airport, not including arrival and departure formalities at each end.

As for connections out of HND - ANA has lots - LAX, HNL, FRA, LHR, SHA, PEK, YVR (those are just the ones off the top of my head). Not sure about connecting times though.

 

[trixydoza]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Does LifeMiles allow co-terminal connections? That is, can you fly into HND and then connect out of NRT on the same ticket (and thus pay one cost)?

It does. Although the search engine seems to have stopped accepting TYO, which is annoying.

 

[Finale]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Good news on ANA. I have been thinking about taking TG F to Japan next year but not a big fan of extra flight time + connection + screenshot method. TG J is terrible so ANA J flat beds will work well for me. Just checked the seat plans and looks like business cabin takes almost half the plane lol

 

[trixydoza]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

What are the direct NH connections to those respective continents? Are they within 8 hours of the arrival time in Haneda? Or does the 8 hour principle not apply? What about timing the other way around (i.e. back to Australia)?.

US:

Going over, good for IAD, JFK, IAH, ORD.

Coming back, not really good for anything at first glance. Maybe one of the LAX flights.

Europe looks pretty good going over, less so coming back.

 

[anat0l]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Good point - 3 clear hours airport-to-airport, not including arrival and departure formalities at each end.

According to the limousine bus schedule between the two airports, it is 1h 40m thereabouts between terminals. However, since that is road transport, so you are at the mercy of traffic.

You can also take the Keisei Keikyu train, which is also direct (no transfers required, although alternative services with one transfer are also available). It is actually cheaper than the limo bus, but of course you schlep everything. But no traffic, unless the shiitake has hit the fan (but by that point, you'd have no chance in hell of making the transfer).

But, as you said, there are formalities at either end:

• The transfer will require entering Japan. That can be fast or slow, depending on immigration. Luckily, bags are usually unloaded quickly in Japan - can rely on their baggage handlers compared to most in the world (especially the English speaking world) - and those with Star Alliance Gold status should find theirs even faster.
• Worst part about timing of transport is not the amount of time between your origin and destination, but whether your schedule will line up with the schedule of the transport. Wouldn't be so bad if there was a service every 5-15 minutes...
• You need to re-check at the next airport. If you have no luggage and can use online check-in, maybe not so bad. Otherwise, you instantly add 1 hour to the required time.

The example quoted by trixydoza gives at least 4 hours. That's more than likely enough, especially as KIX/HND is a domestic flight.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

What are the direct NH connections to those respective continents? Are they within 8 hours of the arrival time in Haneda? Or does the 8 hour principle not apply? What about timing the other way around (i.e. back to Australia)?

Does LifeMiles allow co-terminal connections? That is, can you fly into HND and then connect out of NRT on the same ticket (and thus pay one cost)? If the answer is 'no', that might put a lot of brakes on connecting tickets. Also keep in mind that it takes about 3 hours to safely transfer between HND and NRT. Not a big deal if your transit is very long, but something to keep in mind for connection options, should LifeMiles decide to throw a few interesting ones up.

Let's hope LifeMiles will have the NH seats loaded up in their system posthaste.

I've seen co-terminal connection before with LM, although that was before the glitch. There are quite a few flights out of NRT to USA/Europe departing late morning/early afternoon so it's possible to make transfer between 2 terminals.

With OZ you will find that inbound from US or Europe usually no problem cuz it departs at night. But outbound is very restricted because it's a day time flight departing SYD and arrives in ICN way too late to make any possible same day connection. With NH both at nights we should have more opportunity.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

It does. Although the search engine seems to have stopped accepting TYO, which is annoying.

View attachment 52212

I know, instead they have Yokota in there system, which is a military airport for the US military. I don't know how LM has access to it

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

US:

Going over, good for IAD, JFK, IAH, ORD.

Coming back, not really good for anything at first glance. Maybe one of the LAX flights.

Europe looks pretty good going over, less so coming back.

Coming back OZ is good (availability wise). Let's hope they bring back QS business class next year.

 

[burmans]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Coming back OZ is good (availability wise). Let's hope they bring back QS business class next year.

People have been hoping that for years, no go yet!

 

[anat0l]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

It's a shame LifeMiles doesn't just let you piece together an itinerary like other USA-based programmes.

Otherwise, this new NH route would make it so much easier, as you can use HND as a springboard to get to the other Asian hubs where there could be availability, at the same time taking advantage of a good product (NH staggered J), which is rare enough as it is to get on redemption in the Australian market.

Instead, LifeMiles will force Tokyo to be the turn point, although we've seen some ridiculous things thrown up by the search engine before, so one never knows.....