Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I might have missed an earlier post, but it seems LM are offering discounted redemptions for some zones (up to 50%), and they also seem to have redefined the zones with more granularity. South pac doesn't appear to be included in the discount.

https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/tra/p...utm_source=LifeMiles_ENG&utm_content=textlink

BTW, the miles quoted are return.

This promotion has been published by OMAAT and several other blog. Good if you live in anywhere but Australia.

 

[coolkid101]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

nightmare experience on the phone with Avianca call centre - i knew i was going to be in for a long call when i prepped myself this morning to call their colombia call centre to cancel an award flight
Agents spoke english fine, but seemed to be very inefficient with cancelling a one-way award ticket
after getting transferred through 3 different agents, giving EACH agent all my details - account number, flight booking, passenger details, destination etc i finally told the last chap to put me through to a supervisor
another 11 mins later and he said there wasn't one available, so transferred me yet again to someone else.
took me 20mins on the phone with this agent and gave him all the info he wanted, got through to the credit card entry etc and finally he said something was wrong and before i could say anything he transferred me YET AGAIN to another person
this person went through the exact some process in 35mins despite my rapidly deteriorating mood by then trying to explain that i had given the exact same details to the previous guy

by the end - spoke to 5 agents, exactly 1 hour 43 mins on the phone and i don't even know if i will see the return of my taxes.... from what i've read here, that is a rather unreliable process

by the end the agent said she was refunding me fully in miles when i did a 50/50 copay - to be honest much rather have the taxes back at this time given the AUD/USD exchange rate and the current price to buy miles being lower than the 1.5cpm i would've got back... by then i didn't bother arguing...

it sure was fun booking those flights - but i can tell you it is certainly no fun if anything needs to be done afterwards

 

[legroom]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Guys

I'm being a little lazy here so help me out (trying to help a friend).

How soon after opening an account could you buy miles in the current promotion ?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Guys

I'm being a little lazy here so help me out (trying to help a friend).

How soon after opening an account could you buy miles in the current promotion ?

It *seems* there is no time restrictions this time around. Previously the Ts and Cs stated you had to be a member at the time the promo was announced, but that wording isn't there this time.

A friend of mine joined LM yesterday and was offered the bonus miles immediately. But they haven't purchased yet.

 

[Alanslegal]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

by the end the agent said she was refunding me fully in miles when i did a 50/50 copay - to be honest much rather have the taxes back at this time given the AUD/USD exchange rate and the current price to buy miles being lower than the 1.5cpm i would've got back... by then i didn't bother arguing...

it sure was fun booking those flights - but i can tell you it is certainly no fun if anything needs to be done afterwards

Sorry to hear the difficulties it took to get your tickets cancel.

With respect to miles refund, my understanding is that when you co-pay (any amount) you are effectively buying miles at the time of purchase - and not actually paying additional taxes - so I would think it is correct that they refund you the entire miles (and other taxes e.g airport taxes). I believe some people were using this method to book award with co-pay (bringing it down to $15/1,000 miles), and then cancelling as an easy way to top up points at the $15/1,000 rate than buying them at full price (during non promotion).

 

[leyy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Hi guys,

Need some advice on a LM booking I am about to make:

Need to get to from SYD - TPE (via screenshot method)

SYD - ICNx - TPE

SYD - ICN (OZ 602, Asiana, 10:10 - 18:50)

ICN - TPE (BR 159, EVA Air 19:45 - 21:40)

My question is 55 minutes enough time to catch the flight from ICN - TPE (with Eva air)

Also would it be possible to check my luggage in from SYD - TPE (to save time) or should I look at another itinerary.

Thanks for your feedback.


Cheers,
leyy

 

[bcworld]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

My question is 55 minutes enough time to catch the flight from ICN - TPE (with Eva air)

Also would it be possible to check my luggage in from SYD - TPE (to save time) or should I look at another itinerary.

I think the MCT is 45 mins so if booked on a single ticket there should be no issues...likewise luggage will be thru checked.

Not an OZ fan here, particularly the sub par product they typically send to SYD. When are you looking to travel? If after the launch of the route in December I'd be considering NH and SYD-HND-TPE instead.

 

[Alanslegal]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Booking to Cuba ... and was hoping to get on board Air Canada flying something like SYD-xYVR-xYYZ-HAV but Lifemiles throws out this SYD-xLAX-xPTY-HAV ...... I should be OK with respect to landing in USA for transit?

I have been to Cuba a few years back, even had my passports stamped , and made it back into the USA ok - but this time, it's the start of the holiday and prefer not to have any delays at LAX.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I think the MCT is 45 mins so if booked on a single ticket there should be no issues...likewise luggage will be thru checked.

Not an OZ fan here, particularly the sub par product they typically send to SYD. When are you looking to travel? If after the launch of the route in December I'd be considering NH and SYD-HND-TPE instead.

Agreed. If you can find seat, try SYD-TSA (instead of TPE) then you don't need to transfer between HND-NRT and can check through your luggage. Also no need of screenshot

 

[somebol]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Anyone have experience with tickets issues with missing name parts.

My surname has two words, but only one word is showing on the e-ticket. So instead of John Smith Jones it just has John Smith.
Will I have issues at check in? Should I cancel and re-book (and risk the award seats not returning back to inventory).

 

[Mranderson]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

nightmare experience on the phone with Avianca call centre - i knew i was going to be in for a long call when i prepped myself this morning to call their colombia call centre to cancel an award flight
Agents spoke english fine, but seemed to be very inefficient with cancelling a one-way award ticket
after getting transferred through 3 different agents, giving EACH agent all my details - account number, flight booking, passenger details, destination etc i finally told the last chap to put me through to a supervisor
another 11 mins later and he said there wasn't one available, so transferred me yet again to someone else.
took me 20mins on the phone with this agent and gave him all the info he wanted, got through to the credit card entry etc and finally he said something was wrong and before i could say anything he transferred me YET AGAIN to another person
this person went through the exact some process in 35mins despite my rapidly deteriorating mood by then trying to explain that i had given the exact same details to the previous guy

by the end - spoke to 5 agents, exactly 1 hour 43 mins on the phone and i don't even know if i will see the return of my taxes.... from what i've read here, that is a rather unreliable process

by the end the agent said she was refunding me fully in miles when i did a 50/50 copay - to be honest much rather have the taxes back at this time given the AUD/USD exchange rate and the current price to buy miles being lower than the 1.5cpm i would've got back... by then i didn't bother arguing...

it sure was fun booking those flights - but i can tell you it is certainly no fun if anything needs to be done afterwards

I emailed them last night requesting a call to cancel 2 tickets,got a phone call this morning and spent a total of 8 mins on the phone with them.tickets cancelled and miles instantly back in my account

 

[coolkid101]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I emailed them last night requesting a call to cancel 2 tickets,got a phone call this morning and spent a total of 8 mins on the phone with them.tickets cancelled and miles instantly back in my account

didn't know i could do that!!
i emailed them initially - didn't ask for a call-back - was told to call them instead.

oh well, at least now i know. 2 hours of my life i'll never get back

 

[slodki]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Hey everyone - I tried searching but didn't get too far. Can you co-pay with the screenshot method, or do you need all miles upfront in your account via the screenshot method?

cheers!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Hey everyone - I tried searching but didn't get too far. Can you co-pay with the screenshot method, or do you need all miles upfront in your account via the screenshot method?

cheers!

you can do the co-pay method. Mention it in your email and again when they call to take payment.

 

[slodki]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks for that!

 

[legroom]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I emailed them last night requesting a call to cancel 2 tickets,got a phone call this morning and spent a total of 8 mins on the phone with them.tickets cancelled and miles instantly back in my account

Enjoy it while you can.

Next time around, it is more than even chance it will be different.

 

[legroom]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Would anyone here be buying miles for the "just in case" trip i.e. no particular trip planned for the next 6-12 months with TG, AC, CA.... ?

I am all good with other programs (SQ, CX, QF).

The rational answer is NO as it can be devalued without any prior notice.

I am asking the Q in case I may miss some other hidden gem of a reason which I had failed to see.

I had used TG before when SQ was unavailable i.e. stop-gap alternative but that is few & far in between.

Thanks in advance

 

[sergeyvzn]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Would anyone here be buying miles for the "just in case" trip i.e. no particular trip planned for the next 6-12 months with TG, AC, CA.... ?
I am all good with other programs (SQ, CX, QF).

The rational answer is NO as it can be devalued without any prior notice.

I am asking the Q in case I may miss some other hidden gem of a reason which I had failed to see.

I had used TG before when SQ was unavailable i.e. stop-gap alternative but that is few & far in between.

Thanks in advance

I do!

Mainly for 2 reasons - 1) the falling AUD as it'll probably more expensive to buy them in the future, and 2) in case my partner and I decide on a whim to take a couple of days off and go for a long weekend to Bangkok in Thai F or to Tokyo in ANA J. At the moment I haven't got any plans like that but tomorrow I might feel like I have enough and I want to get away in a couple of weeks time. Thai seats are always there and ANA J seats seem to be available pretty much every day. And if this doesn't work, might go to SIN on SQ at T-14

 

[Cynicor]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Would anyone here be buying miles for the "just in case" trip i.e. no particular trip planned for the next 6-12 months with TG, AC, CA.... ?

I am all good with other programs (SQ, CX, QF).

The rational answer is NO as it can be devalued without any prior notice.

I am asking the Q in case I may miss some other hidden gem of a reason which I had failed to see.

I had used TG before when SQ was unavailable i.e. stop-gap alternative but that is few & far in between.

Thanks in advance

I have.

I figure I'll always be buying flights, J and F are only getting more costly with the dollar dropping. Devaluations can happen but haven't been that extreme in the past, and there is almost no opportunity cost for the cash, with interest rates so low!

 

[JessicaTam]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I wonder if they didn't get the update they were hoping for. The promotion has been extended for two days.