Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

But the reality is, have you read anywhere in LM's T&C that layover cannot be over 8 hours? I can't seem to find it. It is a unofficial rule that has been set up by many frequent flyers because any connection beyond 8 hours can't be booked online.

Even before the IT glitch, I found several times in the past that if your connecting flight departs the next morning, even if it's within 8 hours, it wouldn't show online (eg. If you arrive at 2am and connecting flight is 8am).

I haven't got any trips coming up that needs screenshots but it would be nice for someone to try out. TG recently tweaked their schedule and now SYD-CDG and FRA connecting time has gone over 8 hours so it would be a shame if we can't fly F all the way to Europe now even with screenshot.

True - there is nothing specific that I can find. The general thinking for success with the screenshot method is that any request should mirror the system capability before the glitch started. That's where the 8 hours came from.

As always YMMV - but the airline would be within their rights to deny a connection over 8 hours as this was never offered previously. If they deny it, there probably isn't much recourse.

 

[vae086]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Well I am by far not as experienced as any of you here and I have no idea what was possible before the IT glitch except the general "less than 8 hours connection" and no stopovers.
In my original routing, all connections were less than 8 hours.
The agent offered the alternative route as he couldn't see my original route even though it was showing on united and LM (sector by sector on LM).
I must add that by the time of the second call to collect payment, the second agent could see the original routing but i stuck with what was offered.
I guess my example here doesn't offer any certainty at all as to whether they would allow more than 8 hours connections generally or just on a case by case basis.

 

[anat0l]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I haven't got any trips coming up that needs screenshots but it would be nice for someone to try out. TG recently tweaked their schedule and now SYD-CDG and FRA connecting time has gone over 8 hours so it would be a shame if we can't fly F all the way to Europe now even with screenshot.

Is this a tweak for flights coming up soon? I have SYD-BKK-CDG coming up soon; whilst I could only achieve it with the screenshot technique, the connection was just under 8 hours.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Is this a tweak for flights coming up soon? I have SYD-BKK-CDG coming up soon; whilst I could only achieve it with the screenshot technique, the connection was just under 8 hours.

FRA flight leaves at 23:45 and CDG flight leaves at 00:05. In summer months, TG476 from SYD will arrive at 15:20 making connection >8hrs.

 

[anat0l]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

FRA flight leaves at 23:45 and CDG flight leaves at 00:05. In summer months, TG476 from SYD will arrive at 15:20 making connection >8hrs.

Aaah, that explains it.

Bit of shame as it will be just outside the range. You'd think it's almost ridiculous not to let it go.

But I guess if they want to be stubborn, that is their prerogative.

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Remember KIX too. I think from memory they have a double daily A380? They usually release 1 F seat per flight so you could split up?

What do you think about the possibility of Thai opening up a second seat to Japan in first? I have looked at flights for next year to nrt and kix and there is only ever 1 seat available. Do you think if I book the first tix Thai will then release a 2nd? Does Thai do this?

They do have 2 flights a day but the 11am flight has nil available for award seats for weeks on end.

 

[JessicaTam]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

What do you think about the possibility of Thai opening up a second seat to Japan in first? I have looked at flights for next year to nrt and kix and there is only ever 1 seat available. Do you think if I book the first tix Thai will then release a 2nd? Does Thai do this?

They do have 2 flights a day but the 11am flight has nil available for award seats for weeks on end.

I would suggest that you book the seat and see. They have released more seats in the past. And you have plenty of time to book a seat on the same flight in J or cancel the F seat (for a $50 fee).

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I would suggest that you book the seat and see. They have released more seats in the past. And you have plenty of time to book a seat on the same flight in J or cancel the F seat (for a $50 fee).

Thanks jessicatam. That is what I think I will do

 

[pmdg7444]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Hmmm, looks like a bit of delay to points posting when completing purchases. I hope i get my extra 10% bonus! anyone else experience this and how quickly did the points (with bonus) post?


Dear member.
We have charged your credit card. Your transaction will be completed by our support team.
If you have any questions, you can contact us at our Call Centers, TACA ó Avianca o email us at [email protected]
Aceptar

 

[cleaver]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Hmmm, looks like a bit of delay to points posting when completing purchases. I hope i get my extra 10% bonus! anyone else experience this and how quickly did the points (with bonus) post?


Dear member.
We have charged your credit card. Your transaction will be completed by our support team.
If you have any questions, you can contact us at our Call Centers, TACA ó Avianca o email us at [email protected]
Aceptar

Bought 101,000 miles on 8 September 2015 and they posted immediately - 237,350 miles.

Got my extra 10,100 10% 'bonus' on 11 September 2015.

 

[sergeyvzn]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Hmmm, looks like a bit of delay to points posting when completing purchases. I hope i get my extra 10% bonus! anyone else experience this and how quickly did the points (with bonus) post?


Dear member.
We have charged your credit card. Your transaction will be completed by our support team.
If you have any questions, you can contact us at our Call Centers, TACA ó Avianca o email us at [email protected]
Aceptar

Exactly the same thing happened to me. I waited for a day and when the miles did not get credited sent LifeMiles support an email, a response took 1.5 days but this is probably it was a weekend. Sent the email on Friday morning and got a response and the miles credited on Sunday morning

 

[coolkid101]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

ummed and ahhed about the deal all week - finally let it go this morning without buying.
factors were the poor exchange rate vs the cheapest Lifemiles ever sold (together with the 10% bonus)
If i had bought them it would purely be for stockpiling reasons - no foreseeable plans to use them in the next 12 months, which i suppose was the main deciding factor in the end.

did many of you buy miles?

 

[robd]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

ummed and ahhed about the deal all week - finally let it go this morning without buying.
factors were the poor exchange rate vs the cheapest Lifemiles ever sold (together with the 10% bonus)
If i had bought them it would purely be for stockpiling reasons - no foreseeable plans to use them in the next 12 months, which i suppose was the main deciding factor in the end.

did many of you buy miles?

I passed too. There will be other offers.

 

[anat0l]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I also passed up. Just finding it a bit hard to part with the cash when awards can be so esoteric.

I'd rather purchase AA points. More expensive, but much more versatile... or at least to my current situation anyway (something that everyone who is playing this game should always be in consideration of).

 

[vae086]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Bought 101,000 miles on 8 September 2015 and they posted immediately - 237,350 miles.

Got my extra 10,100 10% 'bonus' on 11 September 2015.

Pretty much the same timeline for me.

ummed and ahhed about the deal all week - finally let it go this morning without buying.
factors were the poor exchange rate vs the cheapest Lifemiles ever sold (together with the 10% bonus)
If i had bought them it would purely be for stockpiling reasons - no foreseeable plans to use them in the next 12 months, which i suppose was the main deciding factor in the end.

did many of you buy miles?

I almost took up the United offer when they had the 50% off but let it pass due to exchange rate, and then this came up so I got some.

 

[Finale]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

ummed and ahhed about the deal all week - finally let it go this morning without buying.
factors were the poor exchange rate vs the cheapest Lifemiles ever sold (together with the 10% bonus)
If i had bought them it would purely be for stockpiling reasons - no foreseeable plans to use them in the next 12 months, which i suppose was the main deciding factor in the end.

did many of you buy miles?

I bought 101,000 on Monday. Still waiting for 10% bonus. Thankfully I earn in USD and keep some USD in the US.

I couldn't help with this one. I go to Japan quite often and with this promo, one way in J is still less than $800 AUD or less than $1,000AUD in F + tax & fee.

Hope Lifemiles isn't planning on devaluing the miles soon. Didn't they do it around Sep/Oct last year? lol

 

[Lizzi]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

did many of you buy miles?

I bought some -- I ran down most of my various stockpiles when I was on leave last year, so needed to start building them up again

 

[coolkid101]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I bought 101,000 on Monday. Still waiting for 10% bonus. Thankfully I earn in USD and keep some USD in the US.

I couldn't help with this one. I go to Japan quite often and with this promo, one way in J is still less than $800 AUD or less than $1,000AUD in F + tax & fee.

Hope Lifemiles isn't planning on devaluing the miles soon. Didn't they do it around Sep/Oct last year? lol

when they revised their charts last year i think it got better for aussies! loving how south asia is more expensive / same price as north asia..

 

[hummel]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Spent about $2200USD here on miles but that is because we (work) do 1-2 trips each month to China/Philipeens/Vietnam.

For example, I need to goto Manila in 10 days and a Y airfare on CX is $2500AUD... I'll take MEL-BKK and a cash fare in J thank you very much.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Spent about $2200USD here on miles but that is because we (work) do 1-2 trips each month to China/Philipeens/Vietnam.

For example, I need to goto Manila in 10 days and a Y airfare on CX is $2500AUD... I'll take MEL-BKK and a cash fare in J thank you very much.

Excellent value for Asia - just a pity about screen-shotting

Slightly OT - I've been arranging several trips to Asia in the next few weeks - availability is very tight and fares sky-high. I dunno why. There were no Air China seats in business class this weekend MEL-PVG for example (no revenue seats FRI/SAT/SUN). Qantas was asking for $6300+ to Shanghai. Finally ended up with SQ, but a couple of their flights AU-SIN are already sold out in business and first. In a couple weeks even Sichuan Airlines to China, normally pretty cheap, is in the $3400+ range.

There are a smattering of CA award seats, but have to do screen shot.