Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

My heart did skip a beat for a moment as I imagined TG F skyrocketing in points required.

Phew!

I was more worried after reading this:

http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=Hx0L.&m=3jJND0BvaLNhZAH&b=AisPIl1fW4db09NT1G2vwA

If TG will finally start cutting costs I'm not optimistic about the future of F service to SYD.

 

[kpc]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I was more worried after reading this:

Thai Airways Critical Finances Threatening Survival Of The Airline | LoyaltyLobby

If TG will finally start cutting costs I'm not optimistic about the future of F service to SYD.

Now you have me worried...we have a TG F flight Bkk-Syd next July!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I was more worried after reading this:

http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=Hx0L.&m=3jJND0BvaLNhZAH&b=AisPIl1fW4db09NT1G2vwA

If TG will finally start cutting costs I'm not optimistic about the future of F service to SYD.

unless they retire their 747 fleet I'm not so sure there will be any impact. Save for the premium champagne and caviar, both of which they could downgrade/remove, the incremental cost of F over J can't be that much. Probably more expensive to refit their 747s than get rid of F (as we saw with Qantas continuing to have old F cabins).

I think TG will maintain F on key routes to Europe. Can't see that going.

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

unless they retire their 747 fleet I'm not so sure there will be any impact. Save for the premium champagne and caviar, both of which they could downgrade/remove, the incremental cost of F over J can't be that much. Probably more expensive to refit their 747s than get rid of F (as we saw with Qantas continuing to have old F cabins).

I think TG will maintain F on key routes to Europe. Can't see that going.

I wasn't even thinking about them retiring their B747s (although that would probably be a good cost cutting move). I'm more concerned TG will relocate it's B747 to a more profitable market and fly to SYD only with B777s.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I wasn't even thinking about them retiring their B747s (although that would probably be a good cost cutting move). I'm more concerned TG will relocate it's B747 to a more profitable market and fly to SYD only with B777s.

TG has been losing money for years The one thing that has been constant is F service to SYD. If you book on the 'flagship' service, I'd say it's got a pretty good chance of remaining. The other second daily service might change.

 

[bcworld]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

The one thing that has been constant is F service to SYD.

While that's true that's only because they changed their minds (as usual) right? At one time the plan announced was definitely to end F service to SYD (go all 777) beginning Oct 2014.

 

[Alanslegal]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

While that's true that's only because they changed their minds (as usual) right? At one time the plan announced was definitely to end F service to SYD (go all 777) beginning Oct 2014.

And the kerfuffle, panic and anxiety that it caused to those who had booked when they removed F to AUS

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

And the kerfuffle, panic and anxiety that it caused to those who had booked when they removed F to AUS

Especially if you booked seats in F and the alternative may be an old B777 J cabin, that's a steep downgrade.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

While that's true that's only because they changed their minds (as usual) right? At one time the plan announced was definitely to end F service to SYD (go all 777) beginning Oct 2014.

Yes - I was thinking that was evidence they wouldn't get rid of it. But on the other hand I suppose they could 'resurrect' that plan again.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Especially if you booked seats in F and the alternative may be an old B777 J cabin, that's a steep downgrade.

I guess you'd cancel the ticket (should be FOC) and fly another airline.

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I guess you'd cancel the ticket (should be FOC) and fly another airline.

If can find award seats on other airlines for the required dates then yes, for sure, otherwise no choice but suck it up.

I wonder how LM treats bookings that have two sectors in F when one sector is downgraded due to equipment change. Do they refund a portion of the miles or just keep the mixed class booking without any refunds?

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

And the kerfuffle, panic and anxiety that it caused to those who had booked when they removed F to AUS

That was a horrible month! I remember it well.

 

[anat0l]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I wonder how LM treats bookings that have two sectors in F when one sector is downgraded due to equipment change. Do they refund a portion of the miles or just keep the mixed class booking without any refunds?

That'd be interesting as normally LM tickets can't be mixed classes. Someone here, I think, has had such an experience before due to an equipment or flight change.

My hunch would be LM would reissue the ticket but you get nothing back.

 

[hummel]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

For anyone who is looking to goto KIX for cup weekend.. I'll be cancelling my MEL-BKK-KIX TG J flight this weekend with LM I move house 4 days later so won't be able to make it. It's painful cancelling such a sweet award! Also will be cancelling a NRT-SYD JL F booking on AA!

If only I could transfer my LM miles in UA!

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

For anyone who is looking to goto KIX for cup weekend.. I'll be cancelling my MEL-BKK-KIX TG J flight this weekend with LM I move house 4 days later so won't be able to make it. It's painful cancelling such a sweet award! Also will be cancelling a NRT-SYD JL F booking on AA!

If only I could transfer my LM miles in UA!

I'd say the JL cancellation is the painful one

Thanks for the update, it's good idea for members to notify about award cancellations.

 

[Finale]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Now you have me worried...we have a TG F flight Bkk-Syd next July!

I think I heard about THAI 747s retirement in 2015 but looks like they delay it until 2017 now. This is the latest news coming out early this month. Not sure if there is any new update? Looks like we are safe for 2016 but since its TG, things can change any minute lol

Thai Airways Part 1: Europe capacity growth resumes as 747-400 retirements are postponed | CAPA - Centre for Aviation

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

If can find award seats on other airlines for the required dates then yes, for sure, otherwise no choice but suck it up.

I wonder how LM treats bookings that have two sectors in F when one sector is downgraded due to equipment change. Do they refund a portion of the miles or just keep the mixed class booking without any refunds?

Keep the mixed cabin without any refund. Happened to me twice.

 

[hummel]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I'd say the JL cancellation is the painful one

Thanks for the update, it's good idea for members to notify about award cancellations.

Yeah it's a shame, had to cancel a trip to Broome a couple of weeks ago as well... done 8 trips OS this year.. all work related! Time for a holiday I think!

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I think I heard about THAI 747s retirement in 2015 but looks like they delay it until 2017 now. This is the latest news coming out early this month. Not sure if there is any new update? Looks like we are safe for 2016 but since its TG, things can change any minute lol

Thai Airways Part 1: Europe capacity growth resumes as 747-400 retirements are postponed | CAPA - Centre for Aviation

Ie 'TG changes its mind. Again'.

Good news for SYD. It does look like the A340s have all been taken out of service? I cant even remember which routes they used to fly?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

It does look like the A340s have all been taken out of service? I cant even remember which routes they used to fly?

They used to fly to ZRH, and after that they were a bit all over the place... FRA, LHR... depending on how/when TG would swap/withdraw 747s/A380s. Also used for some short intra-Asia hops (like PVG, SIN).