Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[bcworld]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

mate which itinerary are you searching? I would love to try and get a screen shot, then i can probably fight it.

syd-hnd / nrt-jfk

 

[cqx1223]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

syd-hnd / nrt-jfk

and the date?

 

[bcworld]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

and the date?

It came up quite often, if I recall correctly I saw J on 28 July.

 

[cqx1223]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

and the date?

I thought mixing of class is not possible?

 

[bcworld]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I thought mixing of class is not possible?

Correct. I didn't mention anything about mixing class though.

 

[cqx1223]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Correct. I didn't mention anything about mixing class though.

So are you seeing NH880 in C and from NRT-JFK in F?
I was trying to book SYD-HND-GMP/ICN-CTU, but was told the system could not price this ticket.
I can see the itinerary through HND/NRT but it seems that GMP/ICN is the problem when I'm trying to book tickets.

 

[bcworld]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

So are you seeing NH880 in C and from NRT-JFK in F?

No. What makes you think that??

 

[cqx1223]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

No. What makes you think that??

My bad I thought you said F, just checked and it was J. LOL
so do you know if GMP/ICN is a possible co terminal?

 

[bcworld]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

My bad I thought you said F, just checked and it was J. LOL
so do you know if GMP/ICN is a possible co terminal?

It should be, but if it's not set up in their system that will be the end of that. What about SYD-HND-CAN on NH, CAN-CTU on CA? No co-terminal transfer required. Possible visa issues if you're looking to do the 72 hour one?

The first part is readily bookable online and all the connections are fine for LM. Not sure if it would pushing MPM and if LM cares about such things!

 

[cqx1223]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

It should be, but if it's not set up in their system that will be the end of that. What about SYD-HND-CAN on NH, CAN-CTU on CA? No co-terminal transfer required. Possible visa issues if you're looking to do the 72 hour one?

The first part is readily bookable online and all the connections are fine for LM. Not sure if it would pushing MPM and if LM cares about such things!

Yes, I did consider that, however I doubt if I can find any C on CA from CAN to CTU, apparently CA C on domestic flights are all "F" on the system and thus can not be mixed with the itinerary.

 

[bcworld]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Yes, I did consider that, however I doubt if I can find any C on CA from CAN to CTU, apparently CA C on domestic flights are all "F" on the system and thus can not be mixed with the itinerary.

True. Ex MEL you could quite possibly get (in J) MEL-SIN (SQ218 77W), SIN-BKK-CTU (TG) by screenshot.

 

[NDiddy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Just tried my first screen shot method booking. Be interesting to see how it goes. Just a simple SYD - CDG in F. Just out of curiosity how long does it normally take for them to respond?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Just tried my first screen shot method booking. Be interesting to see how it goes. Just a simple SYD - CDG in F. Just out of curiosity how long does it normally take for them to respond?

usually overnight our time for a confirmation email. The call to take payment can be random... first thing in the morning iur time to anywhere in the small hours (I got a call on Christmas Day at 1230am).

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Just tried my first screen shot method booking. Be interesting to see how it goes. Just a simple SYD - CDG in F. Just out of curiosity how long does it normally take for them to respond?

I booked the same route via screenshot. Got confirmation email the next day, then called LM to pay the taxes.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

So are you seeing NH880 in C and from NRT-JFK in F?
I was trying to book SYD-HND-GMP/ICN-CTU, but was told the system could not price this ticket.
I can see the itinerary through HND/NRT but it seems that GMP/ICN is the problem when I'm trying to book tickets.

Yes, I did consider that, however I doubt if I can find any C on CA from CAN to CTU, apparently CA C on domestic flights are all "F" on the system and thus can not be mixed with the itinerary.

Im not sure if it's an issue of the co terminal, or they're just not allowing it based in routing (and the co terminal is the excuse). is it within MPM?

Air China does offer domestic business class on select flights... there are very few. They often occur where a flight originates outside China but has a domestic transit point (for example the previous MEL-PVG-PEK flight operated and sold business class PVG-PEK). So worth looking into. A ctrip search will tell you if there are any between CAN-CTU.

 

[cqx1223]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Im not sure if it's an issue of the co terminal, or they're just not allowing it based in routing (and the co terminal is the excuse). is it within MPM?

Air China does offer domestic business class on select flights... there are very few. They often occur where a flight originates outside China but has a domestic transit point (for example the previous MEL-PVG-PEK flight operated and sold business class PVG-PEK). So worth looking into. A ctrip search will tell you if there are any between CAN-CTU.

Just talked to various agents on the phone:
agent1: This co-terminal is not allowed, do not know why.
agent2: The system does not price this itinerary.
agent3: The system allows SYD-HND-GMP, however for the final leg, the system does not allow ICN-CTU instead it automatically puts ICN-SYD in the itinerary, and it can not be changed.
agent4: System allows SYD-HND/NRT-ICN, however ICN-CTU can not be added for unknown reason.
agent5: System does not allow any LAND potion, thus HND/NRT and GMP/ICN are not allowed.


Finally I settled for SYD-HND-PEK-ICN-CTU, interestingly they were able to put together this itinerary which essentially involves a cabotage section i.e. PEK-ICN-CTU......

 

[cqx1223]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

True. Ex MEL you could quite possibly get (in J) MEL-SIN (SQ218 77W), SIN-BKK-CTU (TG) by screenshot.

Are you able to see any SQ availability? I have not seen them for a long time now, would you mind giving me a few dates? especially on the 77Ws

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Just talked to various agents on the phone:
agent1: This co-terminal is not allowed, do not know why.
agent2: The system does not price this itinerary.
agent3: The system allows SYD-HND-GMP, however for the final leg, the system does not allow ICN-CTU instead it automatically puts ICN-SYD in the itinerary, and it can not be changed.
agent4: System allows SYD-HND/NRT-ICN, however ICN-CTU can not be added for unknown reason.
agent5: System does not allow any LAND potion, thus HND/NRT and GMP/ICN are not allowed.


Finally I settled for SYD-HND-PEK-ICN-CTU, interestingly they were able to put together this itinerary which essentially involves a cabotage section i.e. PEK-ICN-CTU......

You're in a tricky situation. As you point out, it's a potential cabotage issue and you could be refused boarding. Having the ticket is no guarantee to fly (LM ran into this very issue by ticketing gum-usa via Japan. IIRC the passenger was refused boarding, then they changed the system which among other reasons, resulted in the current booking glitch)

 

[cqx1223]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

You're in a tricky situation. As you point out, it's a potential cabotage issue and you could be refused boarding. Having the ticket is no guarantee to fly (LM ran into this very issue by ticketing gum-usa via Japan. IIRC the passenger was refused boarding, then they changed the system which among other reasons, resulted in the current booking glitch)

I called OZ yesterday to reserve my seats, and the agents did so without any problems, they had the entire itinerary in front of them and seemed alright. Any advice as to what I should do now? Wait and see or try to put together another reservation?


Cheers

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I called OZ yesterday to reserve my seats, and the agents did so without any problems, they had the entire itinerary in front of them and seemed alright. Any advice as to what I should do now? Wait and see or try to put together another reservation?


Cheers

first of all you'd need to work out if it actually is a cabotage issue. The ticket as a whole is not a domestic ticket... do the rules apply if just two segments are concerned (I don't actually no).

secondly. an agent simply looking at at the reservation, even putting in seat requests or special meals, is no guarantee. You'd need to actually ask them specifically if the ticket breaches cabotage, which they'd likely have to refer, and have them look at it. Even if head office says it's ok, there's no guarantee checkin will allow it.

If it does breach cabotage, there are potentially several points where you could be refused boarding, including Australia, Tokyo or Seoul. Entry into China could be difficult as you wouldn't technically have a valid onward ticket (if you had a visa... no problem, but TWOV requires an onward ticket)