Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[prozac]

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?

They are in J already! Why would you want them up in F with you? It's not like they are slumming it.
After 5 weeks away touring together you may want a few moments to yourself, this way you get to bank some.

 

[NDiddy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks for the input guys - Bad assumption on my part and will just give it a miss and get them to "slum" it in the top deck to FCO.

I just wanted them to experience F during dinner but can understand the apprehension airlines may have with this. They should feel like they've "upgraded" when they come into the F lounge

 

[smit0847]

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?

It will irritate either the F crew having to serve a J meal they have no idea about or else irritate the J crew having to continually come into the F cabin to serve a J meal- it will throw everything out of whack. I expect theyll say no.

They may let you completely swap places for the meal service though.

 

[NDiddy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

It will irritate either the F crew having to serve a J meal they have no idea about or else irritate the J crew having to continually come into the F cabin to serve a J meal- it will throw everything out of whack. I expect theyll say no.

They may let you completely swap places for the meal service though.

Thx smit0847 - I'm going to leave this alone as it's an overnight flight anyway so I suspect it will be all about the zzz's.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

It will irritate either the F crew having to serve a J meal they have no idea about or else irritate the J crew having to continually come into the F cabin to serve a J meal- it will throw everything out of whack. I expect theyll say no.

They may let you completely swap places for the meal service though.

I've read report says that's not even allowed. Some F passenger just swapped seats with daughter in Y so she can have some rest, the flight crew came and said "wait, you are not Mrs xx_!" Even after they explained it was a voluntary swap they were ordered to go back. For Y it's easy to swap seats cuz FA don't know you. But in F, the FA know you by name!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

They may let you completely swap places for the meal service though.

In my experience i have never seen this happen. If an airline allows a swap in seating, it is usually once, and once only. But even this is rare. Most airlines prevent seat swapping as it affects cabin ambiance, privacy, and security (including potential theft of passenger belongings).

BA is an exception, they may allow First passengers to invite a guest for a quick drink... but under strict conditions (cannot be during meal times, if the cabin is quiet or trying to sleep, or if the crew for any other reasons decides against it).

 

[Nizar]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

In my experience i have never seen this happen. If an airline allows a swap in seating, it is usually once, and once only. But even this is rare. Most airlines prevent seat swapping as it affects cabin ambiance, privacy, and security (including potential theft of passenger belongings).

BA is an exception, they may allow First passengers to invite a guest for a quick drink... but under strict conditions (cannot be during meal times, if the cabin is quiet or trying to sleep, or if the crew for any other reasons decides against it).

What about in this scenario described below.

My wife and I are travelling EY F early next year but the trip was booked a while ago.

Just recently this somehow becomes a family trip lol and my parents want to come for the first part of the trip. I want them to fly in F and my wife and I have decided to fly in J. In order to save on change fees due to name changes and ticket reissue fee etc I am deciding whether to just book my parents into EY J class on the same flight BUT immediately upon boarding I will explain to the FA that we are travelling as a party of 4 (albeit on separate PNRs) and even though my wife and I hold F class tickets and my parents J class, that we would like to swap for the entirety of the flight.

Would this be acceptable ?

Or for simplicity and to reduce the risk of them denying me this request should I just cop the US$175 change fee and change the F class tickets to my parents names and book J for my wife and I ?

Thoughts ?

 

[luxury-lizard]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

A bit off topic here but I just received an e-mail offer from UA - buy miles at 50% off - making these .018 US cents per mile - not bad compared to LM at .015 given UA's much more flexible routing / stopover rules and the ability to book LH F and SQ J (subject to availability).

Comments?? I would jump in immediately except the AUD is so low and I have a stock of LM (as well as AA and SQ) miles which should see me through a couple of years of "pointy end" travel - at which time the AUD may improve.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

What about in this scenario described below.

My wife and I are travelling EY F early next year but the trip was booked a while ago.

Just recently this somehow becomes a family trip lol and my parents want to come for the first part of the trip. I want them to fly in F and my wife and I have decided to fly in J. In order to save on change fees due to name changes and ticket reissue fee etc I am deciding whether to just book my parents into EY J class on the same flight BUT immediately upon boarding I will explain to the FA that we are travelling as a party of 4 (albeit on separate PNRs) and even though my wife and I hold F class tickets and my parents J class, that we would like to swap for the entirety of the flight.

Would this be acceptable ?

Or for simplicity and to reduce the risk of them denying me this request should I just cop the US$175 change fee and change the F class tickets to my parents names and book J for my wife and I ?

Thoughts ?

You can't change names. Period! You need to cancel and rebook (hope the seat will go back to award inventory).

The other way to do it is, as you board the plane, of course you need to show your passports at the gate, but while at the bridge, just swap the boarding passes. You take your dad's and you dad take yours. As you board the plane, the FA will look at your boarding pass only, not passport, and s/he will address him as Mr Nizar Jr and you as Mr Nizar Snr (no age or DOB is shown on BP). Do the same with your mom and wife. There is no way the FA is gonna know your dad is not you and vice versa. I did this once with my dad. But you just gotta impersonate each other throughout the whole flight.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

A bit off topic here but I just received an e-mail offer from UA - buy miles at 50% off - making these .018 US cents per mile - not bad compared to LM at .015 given UA's much more flexible routing / stopover rules and the ability to book LH F and SQ J (subject to availability).

Comments?? I would jump in immediately except the AUD is so low and I have a stock of LM (as well as AA and SQ) miles which should see me through a couple of years of "pointy end" travel - at which time the AUD may improve.

At 50% off I would consider buying UA miles. Mainly for traveling to Asia it's a sweet spot and no need of screenshot. But you are still subject to the erratic TG change of schedule issues.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

What about in this scenario described below.

My wife and I are travelling EY F early next year but the trip was booked a while ago.

Just recently this somehow becomes a family trip lol and my parents want to come for the first part of the trip. I want them to fly in F and my wife and I have decided to fly in J. In order to save on change fees due to name changes and ticket reissue fee etc I am deciding whether to just book my parents into EY J class on the same flight BUT immediately upon boarding I will explain to the FA that we are travelling as a party of 4 (albeit on separate PNRs) and even though my wife and I hold F class tickets and my parents J class, that we would like to swap for the entirety of the flight.

Would this be acceptable ?

Or for simplicity and to reduce the risk of them denying me this request should I just cop the US$175 change fee and change the F class tickets to my parents names and book J for my wife and I ?

Thoughts ?

Outright swaps before push-back are rarely (if ever) a problem. If it's a 'Mr and Mrs' swapping for a 'Mr and Mrs' there might not even be reason to inform the crew (if you all have the same surname). Even if you don't all have the same surname, it's up to you... you can always just give them your boarding passes and no one would be any the wiser (and if you don't mind being called by another name!). Essentially two paid adults are swapping for two paid adults.

The only time this type of swap might present a problem is if one of the passengers is carrying an infant (due to safety/air-bag requirements), or if one of the passengers wanting to swap was on a child fare. you can't swap an adult into the seat of a child fare (cause you haven't paid it.)

This type of passenger swap is not uncommon - for exactly the reasons you describe... a spouse/partner/parent may decide to fly at last minute and you want to put them in the higher cabin. Or perhaps even a friend or colleague is flying on the same flight as you but in economy and you wish to sit with them... so you give the stranger sitting next to them you premium class seat and you sit beside your friend. (I can vouch that the stranger is usually very happy with the swap and usually moves pretty quick ... with a little dust cloud behind them as they disappear up front)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

At 50% off I would consider buying UA miles. Mainly for traveling to Asia it's a sweet spot and no need of screenshot. But you are still subject to the erratic TG change of schedule issues.

I only got 35% off, so seems variable again like last time.

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

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.

Hmmm I'm not buying that. To me it sounds like this excuse came from the same pool of BS "safety" excuses airlines like QF use to justify not serving dessert on "short" East-West routes...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Hmmm I'm not buying that. To me it sounds like this excuse came from the same pool of BS "safety" excuses airlines like QF use to justify not serving dessert on "short" East-West routes...

So apparently the rule is that galleys must be secured before push-back clearance is given. This means no taxi if the galleys are not secured.

With glassware, these need to be stowed in carts, and if the cart is to be opened = galley not secure.

Plastic cups can be collected, stacked and thrown out in the bin at the last second.

FAA regulation:

3-3549 STOWAGE OF GALLEY SERVICE ITEMS. Section 121.577 prohibits an aircarrier from moving on the surface, taking off, or landing an airplane when any food, beverage,or tableware furnished by the air carrier is located at any passenger seat. In an emergencysituation requiring evacuation, litter from food service of any kind (including coffee and rolls)can be hazardous due to poor footing. Accordingly, part 121 prohibits serving any food orbeverage, regardless of the type of containers used, during movement on the surface, takeoff, andlanding. In addition, any food item or container that the passenger carries onboard the aircraft isconsidered to be carry-on baggage and must be properly stowed in accordance with part 121 formovement on the surface, takeoff, and landing.

A. Items to Secure During Surface Movement, Takeoff, and Landing.

Part 121 alsostates that, during movement on the surface, takeoff, and landing, the following items must besecured in their stored positions (i.e., correctly positioned and fastened in their storagecompartment and restraint means, if any):• Passenger food and beverage trays,• Serving carts, and• Each movie screen that extends into an aisle.

http://fsims.faa.gov/wdocs/8900.1/v03 tech admin/chapter 33/03_033_006.pdf

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

What about in this scenario described below.

Just recently this somehow becomes a family trip lol and my parents want to come for the first part of the trip. I want them to fly in F and my wife and I have decided to fly in J. In order to save on change fees due to name changes and ticket reissue fee etc I am deciding whether to just book my parents into EY J class on the same flight BUT immediately upon boarding I will explain to the FA that we are travelling as a party of 4 (albeit on separate PNRs) and even though my wife and I hold F class tickets and my parents J class, that we would like to swap for the entirety of the flight.

Thoughts ?

I love my parents dearly but if I was paying there is no way i would put them in F if I was in J!!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I love my parents dearly but if I was paying there is no way i would put them in F if I was in J!!

I'm with Nizar. It would be somewhat embarrassing to be seated in F with parent(s) or kid(s) in a lower cabin!

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

So apparently the rule is that galleys must be secured before push-back clearance is given. This means no taxi if the galleys are not secured.

With glassware, these need to be stowed in carts, and if the cart is to be opened = galley not secure.

Plastic cups can be collected, stacked and thrown out in the bin at the last second.

FAA regulation:




http://fsims.faa.gov/wdocs/8900.1/v03 tech admin/chapter 33/03_033_006.pdf

I'm not disputing the rules, just saying some airlines, like in the case above, use them sometimes as convenient excuses for providing inferior service.
Other airlines seem to get it right and also obey the rules.

Anyway, sorry for getting too much OT.

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

A bit off topic here but I just received an e-mail offer from UA - buy miles at 50% off - making these .018 US cents per mile - not bad compared to LM at .015 given UA's much more flexible routing / stopover rules and the ability to book LH F and SQ J (subject to availability).

Comments?? I would jump in immediately except the AUD is so low and I have a stock of LM (as well as AA and SQ) miles which should see me through a couple of years of "pointy end" travel - at which time the AUD may improve.

lucky you. i'd be tempted to buy some as I'm planning to take my parents to the UK in early 2017.

 

[luxury-lizard]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I used the screen shot method the other day to book CDG-BKK-SYD in F. After e-mailing the screen shots etc to [email protected] I received a response the following morning that they had passed my issue to another department - later that same evening I received a call to complete the booking. After doing this I received a number of e-mails from LM - e-tickets and a number of receipts for payment - now what I cannot figure out is that in addition to the taxes (which are correct as I checked them on ITA) I was charged an additional $USD 180.80 with a comment of "cash" - this seems totally incorrect as I did not buy any additional miles. Also - the award was for 2 persons and I received 4 receipts for $25 (the booking fee) so it seem I was charged $25 per sector per person. I will query this with LM once the charges post to my credit card but was wondering if anyone had experienced a similar issue.

Thanks.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I used the screen shot method the other day to book CDG-BKK-SYD in F. After e-mailing the screen shots etc to [email protected] I received a response the following morning that they had passed my issue to another department - later that same evening I received a call to complete the booking. After doing this I received a number of e-mails from LM - e-tickets and a number of receipts for payment - now what I cannot figure out is that in addition to the taxes (which are correct as I checked them on ITA) I was charged an additional $USD 180.80 with a comment of "cash" - this seems totally incorrect as I did not buy any additional miles. Also - the award was for 2 persons and I received 4 receipts for $25 (the booking fee) so it seem I was charged $25 per sector per person. I will query this with LM once the charges post to my credit card but was wondering if anyone had experienced a similar issue.

Thanks.

No - this shouldn't be the case - should just be 2x$25 for a return ticket for 2 pax ($50 total). Not sure what the additional cash component is for.