Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[VAG newbie]

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.....

With the screenshot technic, you never know. Apparently all phone agents only have access to the online search engine, so whatever we can't book, they can't book.

However the LM support team has access to a secondary system that can piece together 2 itinerary. So I'm very keen to know (or try one myself one day) some itinerary that is reasonable but never show up online, eg. SYD-PEK-JFK on CA.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I'll soon be traveling to Korea/Japan. As I've already posted, my TG flight from NRT-BKK has been downgraded to business class as TG decided to use 787 instead of 747 until Oct .

My question is, as it is a first class booking, and my flight BKK-SYD on the same day is still in F, will I be allowed to use first class lounge in NRT? (in this case the ANA Suite lounge) Anyone with similar experience?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I'll soon be traveling to Korea/Japan. As I've already posted, my TG flight from NRT-BKK has been downgraded to business class as TG decided to use 787 instead of 747 until Oct .

My question is, as it is a first class booking, and my flight BKK-SYD on the same day is still in F, will I be allowed to use first class lounge in NRT? (in this case the ANA Suite lounge) Anyone with similar experience?

unfortunately not. star alliance class-of-service access is based on departure from your current airport, so business class only.

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I'll soon be traveling to Korea/Japan. As I've already posted, my TG flight from NRT-BKK has been downgraded to business class as TG decided to use 787 instead of 747 until Oct .

My question is, as it is a first class booking, and my flight BKK-SYD on the same day is still in F, will I be allowed to use first class lounge in NRT? (in this case the ANA Suite lounge) Anyone with similar experience?

I had this exact situation with an OZ F booking that was downgraded. Youll only get J lounge access in NRT. I believe the J and F lounges are quite similar anyway. Its quite a nice J lounge.

 

[Gogo65]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I have a quick question, I've tried looking in the terms and conditions but can't seem to find the answer.
can you book reward tickets for friends if you won't be on the same flight?

thanks
gogo

 

[RB]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I have a quick question, I've tried looking in the terms and conditions but can't seem to find the answer.
can you book reward tickets for friends if you won't be on the same flight?

thanks
gogo

Yes no problems from what I understand-will look for the wording

Maybe this is the relevant section
Subject to these terms and conditions, including rules related to the prohibition to purchase and sell mileage, benefits and award tickets, the award tickets may be redeemed in favor of the individual indicated by the member. Upon issuing the award ticket, it may not be transferred in any manner. Passengers must carry an identification document throughout the journey and must produce it when requested by the airline agent.

 

[Guvner]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Against the grain, I just had a positive experience with Lifemiles. Rang the US number from Aus on Skype to re-validate a booking and the agent knew what he was doing, organised the re-sync of the e-ticket, put me on hold while he confirmed the changes with the carrier, and then emailed me the confirmation. I double checked my PNR on Myflights and everything had been updated correctly. All up 10 minutes on the phone.
Credit where credit is due.

 

[Gogo65]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Yes no problems from what I understand-will look for the wording

Maybe this is the relevant section
Subject to these terms and conditions, including rules related to the prohibition to purchase and sell mileage, benefits and award tickets, the award tickets may be redeemed in favor of the individual indicated by the member. Upon issuing the award ticket, it may not be transferred in any manner. Passengers must carry an identification document throughout the journey and must produce it when requested by the airline agent.

Thanks RB

 

[bcworld]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

THAI Cancels Los Angeles / Rome Service from late-Oct 2015

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

THAI Cancels Los Angeles / Rome Service from late-Oct 2015

Shame, it was one of the few airlines who operated F cabin to the Italian capital.
Who else do it, SQ maybe?

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Shame, it was one of the few airlines who operated F cabin to the Italian capital.
Who else do it, SQ maybe?

It's odd, I thought that we have recovered from GFC and that is why airlines are releasing less award seats because people are paying for it, yet TG and MH are really struggling. Maybe the ME 3 killed these traditional airlines?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

It's odd, I thought that we have recovered from GFC and that is why airlines are releasing less award seats because people are paying for it, yet TG and MH are really struggling. Maybe the ME 3 killed these traditional airlines?

A good way for airlines to start increasing their revenues from premium cabins is to reduce the number of award seats. No one is going to pay top dollar if they can simply get an award seat.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

A good way for airlines to start increasing their revenues from premium cabins is to reduce the number of award seats. No one is going to pay top dollar if they can simply get an award seat.

I know. That's what I was saying. Because GFC is truly over, so airlines choose to release less award seat. So if GFC is truly over, airlines shouldn't be struggling, but MH and TG is obviously struggling. (MH was already struggling before the 2 planes went down) That's why I suspect the ME big 3 is killing other traditional airlines.

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

A good way for airlines to start increasing their revenues from premium cabins is to reduce the number of award seats. No one is going to pay top dollar if they can simply get an award seat.

Removing some premium cabins is another way. TG operates too many F cabins which they can't fill, even with a very generous award availability.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Removing some premium cabins is another way. TG operates too many F cabins which they can't fill, even with a very generous award availability.

Or else they're overpriced. I regularly paid for TG F between 2000-2005. I think one of the tickets I got was about $4600 return to London. A bargain at the time. But these days they're actually asking for a $1000 premium over BA on some dates (based on 1-30 October, ex SYD).

Their business class is similarly expensive (if not actually overpriced)... for the same dates above they are much cheaper than BA/QF/EK, but wanting $300 more than Air China without even offering full flat beds right the way through to London ex AU. MH is similarly asking for a significant premium over carriers offering full flat beds. It's a bit of a no-brainer who to choose.

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Or else they're overpriced. I regularly paid for TG F between 2000-2005. I think one of the tickets I got was about $4600 return to London. A bargain at the time. But these days they're actually asking for a $1000 premium over BA on some dates (based on 1-30 October, ex SYD).

Their business class is similarly expensive (if not actually overpriced)... for the same dates above they are much cheaper than BA/QF/EK, but wanting $300 more than Air China without even offering full flat beds right the way through to London ex AU. MH is similarly asking for a significant premium over carriers offering full flat beds. It's a bit of a no-brainer who to choose.

Also considering the not so good reputation those two airlines have, unless they are much cheaper then others or at least offer better products there no incentive to fly with them.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Also considering the not so good reputation those two airlines have, unless they are much cheaper then others or at least offer better products there no incentive to fly with them.

Which really amazes me why they still charge a premium. As we all know airfare is determined by supply vs demand. If there is no demand, what's the point of flying these seats empty? They should sell it at deep discounted rate that is close to premium economy and I am sure some people will fly them more often

 

[Cynicor]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Has anyone else got a bunch E ticket type emails from LM? Every flight I have in 2015 has had new Etickets issued and I can't figure out why. It doesn't help that they are in Spanish...

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Has anyone else got a bunch E ticket type emails from LM? Every flight I have in 2015 has had new Etickets issued and I can't figure out why. It doesn't help that they are in Spanish...

Me too! Plus all my flights in 2016. I thought there was a time change or something (QF and VA does that, resend the e-ticket whenever there is time change), but everything looked the same as it was.

Just ignore it. Another LM IT issue. Maybe they are trying to fix the glitch, as I could find some TG flights in J from SYD/MEL/BNE to FRA now, but not everyday even though separate segments showed availability everyday. SYD-FRA in F still doesn't work.

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Got new e-tickets only for flights in 2016.
Nothing for this year flights.

I wrote about it before and will remind everyone that its recommended to call LM or the relevant airlines directly and double-check the ticket before going to airport to avoid any last minute ticketing issues.