Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[Cynicor]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Please let us know if this books via email.

I haven't found a legal EUR-PER LM combo yet.

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Although noting that the above connection may be disallowed by LM as it exceeds the 8 hour allowance traditionally allowed for connections. YMMV.

I thought lately they were allowing more than 8 hour connections (I seem to remember a few people being able to do this) as there doesn't actually seem to be anything in the T&C's about this

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I thought lately they were allowing more than 8 hour connections (I seem to remember a few people being able to do this) as there doesn't actually seem to be anything in the T&C's about this

The sample size is small, too small to confirm whether it has been an exception, or now custom.

The manual booking process is an exception in itself, bookings are required to be made either on-line, or via the call centre (and the call centre sees what we do).

Even though there is no '8-hour rule', LM is entitled to only book what was possible under the on-line system.

 

[Danger]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Are Life Miles and Amigo different programs?

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Are Life Miles and Amigo different programs?

Apparently yes. I guess its like VA and VX have diff programs despite seeming like very similar airlines.

 

[Cynicor]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

8 hours is definitely not a solid limit, as I booked a PER-BKK-NRT J on TG with a scheduled layover of 8+, but not by much. Can't remember the exact details unfortunately, it may have been the CTS return in fact.

But- who knows. LM is a lucky dip, which is part of the fun for me. It's like gambling but when I win I get premium class flights. When I lose I generally just get my money (points) back and try again!

 

[BobbyFlyer]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I know that TG releases only 2 award seats per class, but have previously read that it may release additional seats as well. Is this the case? Reason why I'm asking is that am looking at 4 J LM award seats and want to know that if I book 2 J seats on TG that there is a chance to snag another two J seats? Also if they do release additional seats are there routes that they are particularly stingy on? Any advice appreciated

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

So I've been thinking. Amongst some of the more wishful thinking about LMs (access to LH F, fluent English call centre with stable connection etc) there seems to be 3 recurring major complaints about the LMs program:
1. No mixed class itineraries:
2. No connections over 8 hours: and
3. A website so broken it is almost unuseable.

Now, I had assumed the reason for all 3 of these problems were simply that LMs is a very unsophisticated program from a developing countries small airline. They probably weren't even aware of these problems and if they were, didn't really care that Australians were having trouble booking TG online.

But as their mileage sales promotions have become more and more sophisticated, to the point where LMs are hooking up with partner companies like Inside Flyer to promote their sales, I'm wondering if LMs is actually a whole lot more sophiscated and clever than we thoughts. These 3 problems with the program don't affect LMs revenue, other than some people avoiding buying miles because of these problems, but they would limit the expenses of the LMs program by:
1. Forcing members to book simpler itineraries with less flights (so LMs pays for less flights) because people can't book that 'extra leg' because its in a different class or more than 8 hours apart; and
2. People not using the LMs they have bought at all (and them potentially expiring) because the website isn't working.

I assume after the first 100 people started emailing in screenshots the call centre would have had some clue the website isn't working properly, but what do you think is the reason for this program being the way it is - is it an unsophisticated program struggling to keep up with class leading North American programs, or are they actually very intelligently limiting their expenses?

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I know that TG releases only 2 award seats per class, but have previously read that it may release additional seats as well. Is this the case? Reason why I'm asking is that am looking at 4 J LM award seats and want to know that if I book 2 J seats on TG that there is a chance to snag another two J seats? Also if they do release additional seats are there routes that they are particularly stingy on? Any advice appreciated

Which route? There's some they will, some they wont.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I know that TG releases only 2 award seats per class, but have previously read that it may release additional seats as well. Is this the case? Reason why I'm asking is that am looking at 4 J LM award seats and want to know that if I book 2 J seats on TG that there is a chance to snag another two J seats? Also if they do release additional seats are there routes that they are particularly stingy on? Any advice appreciated

TG will keep releasing two seats at a time until the initial allocation of award seats per flight is exhausted.

If the flight has just opened for award reservation (ie almost a year out), I'd say you have a pretty good chance of getting another 2 seats. If the flight is closer in, all the other seats might be gone.

Have a back up plan (ie 2x2 pax on 2 different flights) and if you can score them all on the same flight that will be a bonus. If another two seats are going to appear they should pop up almost instantly.

 

[BobbyFlyer]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks MEL_Traveller! That's great...now I can start planning!!!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks MEL_Traveller! That's great...now I can start planning!!!

Bear in mind the initial allocation could just be 2, 4, 6 or 8 seats. It used to be fairly generous in all classes (I think 8 seats in business per flight, 4 in F). But that might have changed especially on some of their Japan flights.

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Bear in mind the initial allocation could just be 2, 4, 6 or 8 seats. It used to be fairly generous in all classes (I think 8 seats in business per flight, 4 in F). But that might have changed especially on some of their Japan flights.

I agree - Japan seems to be the hardest country to get TG seats on, especially the A380 flights (although they keep changing the NRT and KIX aircraft operations so regularly I can hardly keep up.

Avoid the A330s for overnight flights - a tighter pitch and steeper angle in J for sleeping (regardless of what seatguru says).

 

[BobbyFlyer]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Can you use Expertflyer to check fare bucket? I just did a random date out of BKK for Z bucket (not sure if that's the right one) had 3 seats, although LM only had 2 seats as usual?

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Avoid the A330s for overnight flights - a tighter pitch and steeper angle in J for sleeping (regardless of what seatguru says).

We all know that. But it is beyond your control. I purposely booked A380 F for red-eye but got downgraded to A330 J. What can you do?

 

[bcworld]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Can you use Expertflyer to check fare bucket? I just did a random date out of BKK for Z bucket (not sure if that's the right one) had 3 seats, although LM only had 2 seats as usual?

The fare bucket for F awards is O, and I for J awards
. Z is used extensively in OneWorld I think but not *A.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I assume after the first 100 people started emailing in screenshots the call centre would have had some clue the website isn't working properly, but what do you think is the reason for this program being the way it is - is it an unsophisticated program struggling to keep up with class leading North American programs, or are they actually very intelligently limiting their expenses?

Not only they are aware of the website not working properly, they don't intend to fix it. I have heard reports from people that are unaware of the screenshot technic, who tried to call their call centre, were asked to use the screenshot technic! So LM is actively encouraging people to use screenshots!

My theory on this, was that their IT guys couldn't come up with a good online search engine and have been traditionally came up with the most bizarre routing that led to the hidden city trick which obviously caused LM to lose money. (Try SYD-YVR-NRT for only 40K in J!) So they somehow came up with a more restrictive search engine that limited many valid routes. So by asking you to do the screenshot, they can review the routing and see if it's reasonable.

I guess the only way to test out my theory is, try screenshot SYD/BNE-YVR, then YVR-NRT/HND. If you can get it for 40K in J, then I am wrong.

 

[anna2103]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Its a pity we don't have a way to get LM to charge us in their own currency vs $US. I am not looking at any bonus as its still not worth it.

 

[BOZZ]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I know that TG releases only 2 award seats per class, but have previously read that it may release additional seats as well. Is this the case? Reason why I'm asking is that am looking at 4 J LM award seats and want to know that if I book 2 J seats on TG that there is a chance to snag another two J seats? Also if they do release additional seats are there routes that they are particularly stingy on? Any advice appreciated

I've recently booked 2 J seats on TG from SIN to FRA via BKK. I was originally looking for 3 seats, but only 2 were available. After I booked 2 seats, I searched again SIN-FRA and another seat was available on TG (only 1). I've booked that one as well. Checking now for the same dates, no more seats are available on TG (this is not to say that someone else didn't book them).

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Not only they are aware of the website not working properly, they don't intend to fix it. I have heard reports from people that are unaware of the screenshot technic, who tried to call their call centre, were asked to use the screenshot technic! So LM is actively encouraging people to use screenshots!

My theory on this, was that their IT guys couldn't come up with a good online search engine and have been traditionally came up with the most bizarre routing that led to the hidden city trick which obviously caused LM to lose money. (Try SYD-YVR-NRT for only 40K in J!) So they somehow came up with a more restrictive search engine that limited many valid routes. So by asking you to do the screenshot, they can review the routing and see if it's reasonable.

I guess the only way to test out my theory is, try screenshot SYD/BNE-YVR, then YVR-NRT/HND. If you can get it for 40K in J, then I am wrong.

Okay, so that explains the broken website (lack of resources to build a proper one). What about the other 2 frustrations? Is Lifemiles smart or stupid? For all we know they could be happy to relax these rules if enough people asked!