Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[Flashback]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I looked at 7 June for 4 J seats PER-JNB and they are clearly there on UA, but not getting anything on LM. Wasn't that long ago that there were heaps on offer. Just was hoping another airline hadn't restricted its award seats...

Phantom availability on UA?

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Carry on from the successful booking thread:
Re: F availability for BKK-NRT. The availability is actually quite good if you are willing to book early in advance. I actually had to look hard for next Jul to find one day without availability in order to take a screenshot of the weekly availability. All other random dates just show up as available! I think TG don't release as much seats as SYD-BKK (obviously the demand is not as big with this route, TG was thinking of axing F to SYD for a while), but for 1pax it is still quite wide open. Compare to many other program, including our own QF, this is really generous.

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

View attachment 54107 Carry on from the successful booking thread:
Re: F availability for BKK-NRT. The availability is actually quite good if you are willing to book early in advance. I actually had to look hard for next Jul to find one day without availability in order to take a screenshot of the weekly availability. All other random dates just show up as available! I think TG don't release as much seats as SYD-BKK (obviously the demand is not as big with this route, TG was thinking of axing F to SYD for a while), but for 1pax it is still quite wide open. Compare to many other program, including our own QF, this is really generous.

Most people buying miles and booking well in advance are travelling with someone else.

TG offer F to both NRT and HND - you could always split people one and each person flies to one airporr.

 

[coolkid101]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

thanks for all that info guys. pretty sure the Mrs won't be considering splitting up on separate flights. i've been searching flights for 2 which is probably why i havent' managed to see the same availability. it certainly appears there's plenty of flights for 1 person. i suppose i could get the 1 seat first then hope a 2nd opens on the same flight.

i also recall reading here that the screenshot method has allowed some guys to book 2 seats even though the screenshot was for just 1 seat - maybe i'll give that a try

Most people buying miles and booking well in advance are travelling with someone else.

TG offer F to both NRT and HND - you could always split people one and each person flies to one airporr.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

i also recall reading here that the screenshot method has allowed some guys to book 2 seats even though the screenshot was for just 1 seat - maybe i'll give that a try

worth trying. What's UA showing on their booking engine? Just the one seat?

 

[coolkid101]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

UA also showing just 1... have found flights on the date i want - BKK-SYD 2xF but the initial NRT-BKK only showing 1 F. it might get tricky trying to link the 2 i think, not sure how proficient LM agents will be via email and trying to explain this... to further complicate things i also rushed into booking ANA 2xJ when the inventory loaded for NRT-SYD so will have to ask for a change of ticket... but for 10k more LM i would think it's an easy choice?

worth trying. What's UA showing on their booking engine? Just the one seat?

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

UA also showing just 1... have found flights on the date i want - BKK-SYD 2xF but the initial NRT-BKK only showing 1 F. it might get tricky trying to link the 2 i think, not sure how proficient LM agents will be via email and trying to explain this... to further complicate things i also rushed into booking ANA 2xJ when the inventory loaded for NRT-SYD so will have to ask for a change of ticket... but for 10k more LM i would think it's an easy choice?

If I were u I would keep the 2xJ seat with NH and just enquire about TG F. If you get 2xTG F then cancel the NH J. If not, at least you still have your flight. NH J isn't that bad at all

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

UA also showing just 1... have found flights on the date i want - BKK-SYD 2xF but the initial NRT-BKK only showing 1 F. it might get tricky trying to link the 2 i think, not sure how proficient LM agents will be via email and trying to explain this... to further complicate things i also rushed into booking ANA 2xJ when the inventory loaded for NRT-SYD so will have to ask for a change of ticket... but for 10k more LM i would think it's an easy choice?

Change of ticket is expensive - $150 per person. Cancellation cheaper, just $50.

Personally I'd stick with ANA. Service is good. Food is good. Sake is good. Flight is non-stop.

Same time it'd take you to get to Bangkok you'll be changing out of your PJs to land in tokyo. Not to mention potential TG schedule changes which could completely alter your schedule meaning you miss your connections.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Change of ticket is expensive - $150 per person. Cancellation cheaper, just $50.

Personally I'd stick with ANA. Service is good. Food is good. Sake is good. Flight is non-stop.

Same time it'd take you to get to Bangkok you'll be changing out of your PJs to land in tokyo. Not to mention potential TG schedule changes which could completely alter your schedule meaning you miss your connections.

Or equipment change, which means you get downgraded to J without any compensation! (Speaking from experience....)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Or equipment change, which means you get downgraded to J without any compensation! (Speaking from experience....)

Exactly. With the money saved for the change fees and extra miles you could buy a bottle of champagne and knock youself out There's nothing much else really to support TG via BKK to Asia.

 

[coolkid101]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Change of ticket is expensive - $150 per person. Cancellation cheaper, just $50.

Personally I'd stick with ANA. Service is good. Food is good. Sake is good. Flight is non-stop.

Same time it'd take you to get to Bangkok you'll be changing out of your PJs to land in tokyo. Not to mention potential TG schedule changes which could completely alter your schedule meaning you miss your connections.

Or equipment change, which means you get downgraded to J without any compensation! (Speaking from experience....)

thanks for the advice guys - the idea of going F via TG is appealing - haven't tried their F product before. but having said that, i've never tried NH J either

if i was going to try for TG i'd definitely hold on to the NH booking i already have, but your comments have certainly given me much to think about... we're not rushed for time, and it might be fun spending more time on the flight in F anyway, especially if we're only paying a little more!

but i agree the most worrying is the erratic TG schedule... who knows if they'll still be flying F by july next year, after their U-turn on that exact decision earlier this year...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

thanks for the advice guys - the idea of going F via TG is appealing - haven't tried their F product before. but having said that, i've never tried NH J either

if i was going to try for TG i'd definitely hold on to the NH booking i already have, but your comments have certainly given me much to think about... we're not rushed for time, and it might be fun spending more time on the flight in F anyway, especially if we're only paying a little more!

but i agree the most worrying is the erratic TG schedule... who knows if they'll still be flying F by july next year, after their U-turn on that exact decision earlier this year...

TG F will give you three things over NH: caviar, vintage champagne, and a massage in their lounge. If they alter their schedules for a service without F to Japan, the business class on the BKK-Japan sector would be sufficient to negate the F on the SYD-BKK leg.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

TG F will give you three things over NH: caviar, vintage champagne, and a massage in their lounge. If they alter their schedules for a service without F to Japan, the business class on the BKK-Japan sector would be sufficient to negate the F on the SYD-BKK leg.

Yes, the BKK-NRT sector is the dangerous one. Mine got downgraded from A380 to 747 to 787! So no more first class! The only good thing is mine is the other way so I should still be entitled to the 1hr massage.

What you can do though, if you are ready to spend the $50 cancellation fee regardless, is pursue the 2 x F in TG but still keep the booking with NH. Then keep an eye on TG schedule change. Then by about 1 week out you can decide which one to keep and just call in to cancel the one you don't want.

I'm in a similar situation except I have 2 existing TG F bookings. One in Sept the other in Feb next year. My Sept booking has already been downgraded but the Feb booking still looking good (although already downgraded from 380 to 747). These bookings were made before NH made the announcement. I can't do anything about the Sept one as NH hasn't started service SYD yet. For the Feb one I don't wanna waste $50 to change the booking so I'm happy to keep the F. If they down grade me again, at least I can cancel the booking without paying the $50.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

TG going from an A380 _> 747 is probably more an upgrade rather than downgrade. The TG A380 F cabin is not nearly as good as the 747 IMO.

 

[Flashback]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

TG going from an A380 _> 747 is probably more an upgrade rather than downgrade. The TG A380 F cabin is not nearly as good as the 747 IMO.

I share the same view!

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

TG going from an A380 _> 747 is probably more an upgrade rather than downgrade. The TG A380 F cabin is not nearly as good as the 747 IMO.

Interesting comment, why do you say that?

I think both cabins are nice but actually prefer the A380's decor.

 

[hossein_au]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Interesting comment, why do you say that?

I think both cabins are nice but actually prefer the A380's decor.

I tend to agree; TG F in 747 looks and feels more dated than the one on A380, I reckon.

 

[JessicaTam]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I tend to agree; TG F in 747 looks and feels more dated than the one on A380, I reckon.

Hopefully in a couple of weeks I will be able to give an opinion on old vs new F with TG. Fingers crossed.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Interesting comment, why do you say that?

I think both cabins are nice but actually prefer the A380's decor.

Quiet, spacious, and private cabin on the 747. No through traffic. WCs at the rear.

TBH - with the exception of perhaps TransAero's Imperial First Class (and maybe one or two others), I don't worry so much about decor (except for cloth v leather). Comfort is more important.

Here's a picture of transaero: Photos: Boeing 747-4F6 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Quiet, spacious, and private cabin on the 747. No through traffic. WCs at the rear.

I may have been lucky but never traveled on a full A380 F cabin (to/from CDG & HKG) so that may be the reason I had no issues with noise, space and privacy (unlike on the terrible A340) and the toilets are actually one of my favourite features. In fact they are the best I've seen in any F (EK/EY A380 showers excluded).

But the thing I like the most about A380 is the certainty. You know exactly what product you will end up getting when you book unlike the old/new cabin gamble with B747s.