Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

You don't have to wait for them to call you, once you receive confirmation email for your new combined booking request just call LM when it's convenient for you, give the reservation code and ask to pay the taxes.

You need to call the Bogota number. Nowhere else.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

You don't have to wait for them to call you, once you receive confirmation email for your new combined booking request just call LM when it's convenient for you, give the reservation code and ask to pay the taxes.

Although even with this approach there are mixed results - I tried and a friend tried (completely separate tickets at different times of the year) are we were both told we had to wait for 'the call'. So a case of YMMV.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

UA is the other one that offers F to australia, but their product is really meh.....

Actually I think with managed expectations - UA F is a pretty good product. By 'managed expectations' I mean the food and wine list. Everything else - service, bed and bedding, comfort - all pretty good, and I have no complaints.

 

[NDiddy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Actually I think with managed expectations - UA F is a pretty good product. By 'managed expectations' I mean the food and wine list. Everything else - service, bed and bedding, comfort - all pretty good, and I have no complaints.

I'd agree with this. The hard product was good but the food/wine left a little to be desired. This was in 2013 on the 747 from SYD-LAX. Might be different now with the 787...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I'd agree with this. The hard product was good but the food/wine left a little to be desired. This was in 2013 on the 747 from SYD-LAX. Might be different now with the 787...

Unfortunately no First class on the 787 - and the seats are 2-2-2 kind of angled towards the side. They appear like your neighbour would be looking over your shoulder the whole time

Food/wine - it's totally comfort food... soups followed by steak or chicken with 'rubs' or simple sauces. There's nothing gourmet. But a lot is made up for by their ice-cream sundaes!

What really makes UA are the crews. Some may see them as less than glamorous - and that's usually true. But if you appreciate their seniority, you'll most likely end up with some superb service.

 

[NDiddy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

On a slightly different topic - Has anyone had any luck "guesting" J class travelers in to the F lounge in BKK?

We're flying with friends to Rome next month and we are in F - SYD-BKK-FCO where as they are in J MEL-BKK-FCO. I was hoping to see if Thai would allow them into the F lounge for a couple of hours with us while we're in transit in BKK. Not sure if this is do-able or allowed but thought I'd check with the experts.

 

[tm.smile]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

What really makes UA are the crews. Some may see them as less than glamorous - and that's usually true. But if you appreciate their seniority, you'll most likely end up with some superb service.

There's really nothing like being on a flight having charmed ex-Pan Am FAs. They really are amazing! Was fortunate to be in UA F SYD-LAX and SFO-KIX

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Food/wine -

Sparkling wine served in plastic cup

 

[coolkid101]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Or J to SIN, and F to US via NRT.

NH NRT to US is 90,000, whereas NH SIN-NRT-US is just 99,000 LMs.

whats the availability like for SIN-NRT-US for 2 in NH F? which US port is easiest to find as the destination city for this routing?
thanks guys!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

On a slightly different topic - Has anyone had any luck "guesting" J class travelers in to the F lounge in BKK?

We're flying with friends to Rome next month and we are in F - SYD-BKK-FCO where as they are in J MEL-BKK-FCO. I was hoping to see if Thai would allow them into the F lounge for a couple of hours with us while we're in transit in BKK. Not sure if this is do-able or allowed but thought I'd check with the experts.

You can guest!

Star alliance class-of-service access allows F class to each guest one passenger. So no problems at all.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

whats the availability like for SIN-NRT-US for 2 in NH F? which US port is easiest to find as the destination city for this routing?
thanks guys!

Very unlikely for 2. ANA usually just release one seat (although consistently) per flight in advance. You might have luck towards departure time but I won't hold my breath.

All destination is the same as they release one per flight, other than some black out dates such as Japanese golden week in May.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Sparkling wine served in plastic cup

It's true - on the ground sparkling wine is served (to save customs duty). Champagne is after take-off.

The plastic cups... the jury is out on that. US airlines claim it allows pax more time to enjoy their drinks as stowing glassware takes longer. There's some FAA rule stating when the cabin must be completely secure... and the plastic cup concept seemed fairly reasonable when explained in light of that rule.

 

[coolkid101]

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.

just tried the following screenshot - NRT-BKK (x1 F) , BKK-SYD (x2 F). NRT-SYD not available.
tried to ask for 2 F whole way but told not possible.
options given were
1 - J all the way - rather keep ANA J direct
2 - J to BKK, F to SYD for 2 - 2 separate bookings - nope
3 - ANA which i already had

credit for finding options for me though - the agent was excellent - called from a US number (said FLorida on my phone) - gave explanations, patient, had all the numbers calculated... was on a flight to SYD when he first tried calling x 3 times just as plane door closing - then he called another 2 times when i first turned my phone on after touchdown... ++ for the great service

 

[coolkid101]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

thanks for the tip. was hoping they might be like some other airlines and release a 2nd seat early once first is taken... probably won't chance it then.

Very unlikely for 2. ANA usually just release one seat (although consistently) per flight in advance. You might have luck towards departure time but I won't hold my breath.

All destination is the same as they release one per flight, other than some black out dates such as Japanese golden week in May.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

just tried the following screenshot - NRT-BKK (x1 F) , BKK-SYD (x2 F). NRT-SYD not available.
tried to ask for 2 F whole way but told not possible.
options given were
1 - J all the way - rather keep ANA J direct
2 - J to BKK, F to SYD for 2 - 2 separate bookings - nope
3 - ANA which i already had

[voluntary] mixed classes are not permitted on LM awards - hence the two separate tickets required if J to BKK and then F to SYD.

 

[NDiddy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

You can guest!

Star alliance class-of-service access allows F class to each guest one passenger. So no problems at all.

Wow - I did not know this - Thx MEL.

I assume they won't have an issue if the J pax sat in F for dinner on the plane? So still serve their J meals but in F sitting on the ottoman?

 

[coolkid101]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

yup i had already known about that so there was no way i'd have taken option 2.
was hoping to sneak through 2xF all the way despite my screenshot only showing 1xF for the NRT-BKK segment but no luck

[voluntary] mixed classes are not permitted on LM awards - hence the two separate tickets required if J to BKK and then F to SYD.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Wow - I did not know this - Thx MEL.

I assume they won't have an issue if the J pax sat in F for dinner on the plane? So still serve their J meals but in F sitting on the ottoman?

Some airline has issues with that. Just double check. The issue is, some parents put their kids in coach and fly F themselves. If they invite their kids up, it is unfair on the other F passengers as they expect peace and quiet. But if the cabin is empty you might be lucky.

 

[bcworld]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I assume they won't have an issue if the J pax sat in F for dinner on the plane? So still serve their J meals but in F sitting on the ottoman?

I would assume they WOULD have an issue with that.

 

[luxury-lizard]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Yes - I plan to do this - thanks.