Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[luxury-lizard]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

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.

Thanks - I'll post the out come of my query with LM - the receipts don't show on my LM account yet so it may take a day or 2.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

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.

The additional cash component is the "Star Alliance Redemption Fee" which they charge for bookings not made online. I have experienced it as the cash component is usually about $90 more per person. But check your credit card, sometimes they put that but they don't really charge it.

 

[liparj]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

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.

I was charged $31.45 extra to the $25.. The $31.45 appears as tax on the electronic ticket I subsequently received... This is my first LM booking and I thought this was normal...shouldn't I be charged for ticket tax as well?

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I was charged $31.45 extra to the $25.. The $31.45 appears as tax on the electronic ticket I subsequently received... This is my first LM booking and I thought this was normal...shouldn't I be charged for ticket tax as well?

There will be taxes. The $25 is just the LM booking fee. It is applicable on all bookings, online or over the phone.

Overall, the amounts are very small compare to FFPs like QFF or KF which charges hundreds to thousands on top of the miles.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

The additional cash component is the "Star Alliance Redemption Fee" which they charge for bookings not made online. I have experienced it as the cash component is usually about $90 more per person. But check your credit card, sometimes they put that but they don't really charge it.

Oh! that's interesting. I haven't been charged that so far...

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Oh! that's interesting. I haven't been charged that so far...

Me neither.

Maybe not everyone in LM know about this tax so they forget to charge it, or maybe it depends on the call centre.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Oh! that's interesting. I haven't been charged that so far...

I didn't know that either until last time when I stuffed up my online booking (I accidentally put the wrong CC number). I had the PNR number but hadn't ticket it. I called LM to get it ticketed, the price they gave me was about $90 more than I got from online. The agent told me it was the Star Alliance Redemption fee, that's how I know about it.

Me neither.

Maybe not everyone in LM know about this tax so they forget to charge it, or maybe it depends on the call centre.

Actually if you look at the receipt from LM (you can generate one from your acount) and compare to the Redemption Confirmation email you got when you just done your booking (the one with the scarlet colored frame), you will see some discrepancies on the fees you paid. It seems that one with the scarlet is more, and I think the difference is the Star Alliance Redemption fee, although when I checked my credit card (taking exchange and surcharges into consideration), I don't think they really charged it.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

According to Airlineroute, TG will start flying 787 to BNE. This is good news. I know TG can still do last minute swap and give BNE old 777 with angled bed, but the point is it looks like TG is retaining BNE. As a previous article suggested that many non-profitable but potential routes would be under review in Q4 of 2015, in which BNE was one of them. Well, we know Rome has been chopped, but if they swap equipment for BNE then it might suggest that they are retaining it. It make sense though, as MH recently just dropped BNE so there is a market gap for SE Asia left by MH.

Guess we can feel bit more comfortable booking flights out of BNE on TG (of course still subject to the erratic schedule change, misconnection...etc)

THAI to Start Boeing 787 Brisbane Service from late-Oct 2015 | Airline Route

 

[Cynicor]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Are any routes from EU (any airport) to PER bookable as a single ticket in J still? I can do F from EU to SYD but happy to "slum it" to get a single ticket home for once!

This is for next year, rather than waiting for T-14 and booking SQ. Otherwise, don't really mind how I get home.
Thanks

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

MEL always seems to miss out, and BNE gets all the good equipment. They had the 77W for a while, now the 787. Maybe too many folks not paying enough ex MEL?

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

MEL always seems to miss out, and BNE gets all the good equipment. They had the 77W for a while, now the 787. Maybe too many folks not paying enough ex MEL?

TG change their minds on a whim- i wouldnt read too much into anything.

 

[hummel]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I got lucky and had the 77W a few times out of MEL, was a nice product.

These days I've burnt my LM with one last MEL-BKK-CTS redemption over cup weekend. Whether I take it is a whole other matter!

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

MEL always seems to miss out, and BNE gets all the good equipment. They had the 77W for a while, now the 787. Maybe too many folks not paying enough ex MEL?

I must say we are quite lucky here in BNE this year. Firstly, we scored BNE-NRT daily on QF (with potentially business class suite, arguably the best business class to Japan), then EY started their 787 with studio business class, VA increased BNE-LAX to daily, AC starting BNE-YVR with their 787 (again, better J product than coffin class on 777), new QF lounges on its way plus a new premium plaza lounge (ie. priority pass time!), and now this.

The only negative thing that happened was probably the loss of MH, but I don't see that so much of a problem.

I hope SQ will upgrade their J to a longhaul one rather than medium regional.

 

[anat0l]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

MEL always seems to miss out, and BNE gets all the good equipment. They had the 77W for a while, now the 787. Maybe too many folks not paying enough ex MEL?

But you folks also get two flights a day, vs. BNE only one. The timing to BNE is alright (mostly); the one to BKK, not so much.

BNE also almost never got the 77W with full flat seats, only angle flat.

And if we both want to be incredulous, let's not forget PER got the 787 first.

The only negative thing that happened was probably the loss of MH, but I don't see that so much of a problem.

For oneworld redemptions, it kind of is. But that route was definitely bleeding money except for CNY.

I hope SQ will upgrade their J to a longhaul one rather than medium regional.

Pull the other one With 3 flights per day to BNE that would be something to upgauge even one of them to a longhaul type.

That said, if SQ commit to some sort of regional product overhaul, they might decide to put all flat seats on them.

 

[astrosly]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

... I was charged an additional $USD 180.80 with a comment of "cash" ...

I had this too on my CC but it appeared like a pre-authorisation whereas the taxes and fee charge went through as a regular purchase. After a few days it disappeared and was never processed.

 

[luxury-lizard]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I had this too on my CC but it appeared like a pre-authorisation whereas the taxes and fee charge went through as a regular purchase. After a few days it disappeared and was never processed.

reporting back on my original post - charges finally posted to my cc (some 5 days later) - the correct taxes + $25 pp booking fee - so the 'extra' unexplained $180 in the receipt did not post and the 4x$25 only posted as $50. So all's well.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

reporting back on my original post - charges finally posted to my cc (some 5 days later) - the correct taxes + $25 pp booking fee - so the 'extra' unexplained $180 in the receipt did not post and the 4x$25 only posted as $50. So all's well.

Told you! It happened to me too. If the trip is tax deductible, you can actually claim extra $180 USD back as it's in the receipt!

 

[Nizar]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Is there a significant difference in the seat/suite of TG new 774 F (the one they fly to LHR) and their 388 ?
If anything the new 774 suites look better from the photos ?

Cheers

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Is there a significant difference in the seat/suite of TG new 774 F (the one they fly to LHR) and their 388 ?
If anything the new 774 suites look better from the photos ?

Cheers

Ive only done new 747 F and old 747 F but thought new 747 F was fantastic- very private and comfortable. 388 F is quite open (as is old 747 F)

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Ive only done new 747 F and old 747 F but thought new 747 F was fantastic- very private and comfortable. 388 F is quite open (as is old 747 F)

I disagree. A380 F is nothing like old B747 F, it's much better in every aspect IMO.

Regarding which cabin is better, new B747 or A380, people have different opinions but they are both good products.