Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[jgm]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

With the current AA deal, the maximum gets you 200k but at just under US$20 per k when taxes and charges are included. At current rates this over A$28 per k. At US$15/k or LM you are looking at around A$21/k which is alot better than AA, and we don't pay tax on LM purchases.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

With the current AA deal, the maximum gets you 200k but at just under US$20 per k when taxes and charges are included. At current rates this over A$28 per k. At US$15/k or LM you are looking at around A$21/k which is alot better than AA, and we don't pay tax on LM purchases.

And LM has a lot more availability. Try to book AUS to USA with AA! It's virtually zip. But if u use LM, fly with OZ or NH and it's wide open!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

And LM has a lot more availability. Try to book AUS to USA with AA! It's virtually zip. But if u use LM, fly with OZ or NH and it's wide open!

Availability wise - not a fair comparison. CX and JL are probably equally as easy to redeem as OZ or NH. Except of course AA will charge two awards.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Availability wise - not a fair comparison. CX and JL are probably equally as easy to redeem as OZ or NH. Except of course AA will charge two awards.

Not really. By the time award calendar is open to AA, most CX and JL seats have gone already, and CX has been a lot more stingier lately.

And yes, I did take into consideration the fact that AA won't allow you to route through Asia. The total cost becomes 90k AA miles, which is = $1800! Vs LM at 80k = $1200.

 

[tania73]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

what do you mean AA won't let you route through asia?

Not really. By the time award calendar is open to AA, most CX and JL seats have gone already, and CX has been a lot more stingier lately.

And yes, I did take into consideration the fact that AA won't allow you to route through Asia. The total cost becomes 90k AA miles, which is = $1800! Vs LM at 80k = $1200.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

what do you mean AA won't let you route through asia?

It will be priced as two awards as South Pacific to USA (on one award) is not allowed to transit via Asia.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

what do you mean AA won't let you route through asia?

AA has this stupid rule that awards can't be transit in a 3rd region. As MEL said, if you wanna redeem AUS-USA, it has to be direct flight and any transits will have to be either in AUS/NZ or other South Pacific islands, or it has to be in North America but not Asia. This means you'll need to fly Qantas or AA (or Hawaiian airlines which has only Jetstar quality business class). Good luck trying to find business class award seats on QF or AA between AUS and USA.

In the days of USDM, the best option is to route through Asia with CX in HKG or JL in NRT. But since USDM is now merged with AA, if you wanna fly through Asia you need two separate awards. ie. More miles needed.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

AA may have a major devaluation coming soon. So unless you already have a redemption in mind I wouldn't bank on it.

I was right!!! AA devaluation just came in. It makes LM look so good now! 110k to Asia 2 cf 99k with LM!

https://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/redeemMiles/american-airlines-award-chart2016.jsp

@Tania73: this further strengthen my point. Unless you have a redemption in mind (and ready to book by Mar 22 16), don't buy AA miles now.

I just hope that LM doesn't do another devaluation.

 

[burmans]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I was right!!! AA devaluation just came in. It makes LM look so good now! 110k to Asia 2 cf 99k with LM!

The bad news of the day when I have over 2M family AA points. Of course on the good news side most are residual USDM points bought on share promos at 1.1c / point and the rest are Amex referral points so I don't feel quite as dudded as those buying recently!

 

[tania73]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks for this, LM it is. NOw just need to work out a viable CDG to BNE connection - Thai doesn't work because its more than 8 hours in BKK

I was right!!! AA devaluation just came in. It makes LM look so good now! 110k to Asia 2 cf 99k with LM!



@Tania73: this further strengthen my point. Unless you have a redemption in mind (and ready to book by Mar 22 16), don't buy AA miles now.

I just hope that LM doesn't do another devaluation.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks for this, LM it is. NOw just need to work out a viable CDG to BNE connection - Thai doesn't work because its more than 8 hours in BKK

The way around it is not to fly back to BNE but to other capital cities. CDG-SYD in Asiana is possible, or CDG-MEL in TG is possible. Then you just buy a cheap one way economy from SYD/MEL. I am in BNE so I know the pain of being treated as 3rd grade citizen.

 

[Finale]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Just burnt my AA miles F to Europe and Japan. Still 120k left. A bit worried about LM though with almost 400k. Hope they don't devalue any time soon or I'll have an excuse to leave the country again.

PS. In Bangkok now and had the best TG F ever. Only 2 passengers and drank 2 bottles of Dom myself. Flight attendants were very attentive and one of them looked for a black Rimowa for me as I already have too many purple ones.

F Checkin staff at SYD called business passengers while I was waiting there. She then saw me but basically told me to wait. That couple had a bit of an issue at checkin so I was stuck. There were 2 business counters and at least 7 or 8 passengers got checked in while I was waiting. Next time I will just line up at business. Also got stuck at Etihad F line early this year. I don't have much luck with SYD checkin staff.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks for this, LM it is. NOw just need to work out a viable CDG to BNE connection - Thai doesn't work because its more than 8 hours in BKK

Is it easier to fly ex another European city that gives you less than 8 hours in BKK then you can raje the 788 BKK/BNE?

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Is it easier to fly ex another European city that gives you less than 8 hours in BKK then you can raje the 788 BKK/BNE?

No.... The problem is most flights departing Europe arrives in BKK early morning. BNE flight departs at midnight. Even the flights that leave Europe late at night (eg. TG923 ex-FRA at 21:10) arrives BKK at 13:00, that's 11 hours layover. To be within 8 hours of layover the flights leaving Europe must be between midnight and 6am, I doubt any airlines would like to depart that time.

But, try the screenshot technic to connect TG923 with the BNE flight. There had been mixed reports that LM may allow layover if within 12 hours. You don't know unless you ask.

CDG to SYD is wide open next Sept-Oct though, on both OZ and CA. Many people here actually prefer CA as you get full flat between PEK-SYD.

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

2X1 promo is back!

 

[diningdecadence]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

2X1 promo is back!

i got a +25% top tier bonus. 337,500 for USD4,950. makes it 1.46c/mile although can't remember if there's any taxes as haven't purchased in yonks!

 

[Foreigner]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

i got a +25% top tier bonus. 337,500 for USD4,950. makes it 1.46c/mile although can't remember if there's any taxes as haven't purchased in yonks!

Well done!

Is there a link to their redemption chart?

Interested in booking SYD to GOT for 3 pax in Jan. How many miles would that be in J?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Well done!

Is there a link to their redemption chart?

Interested in booking SYD to GOT for 3 pax in Jan. How many miles would that be in J?

Easiest way is to google 'lifemiles award chart' - easy to find again in future then! (but it would be 85K each way per passenger)

On a general note: I can't see much advantage in buying huge numbers of LM given the co-pay for is around 1.5c anyway. You might save a few dollars, but not sure if that off-sets the risk in potential devaluations or restrictions in airline availability.

 

[tania73]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

2X1 promo is back!

Sorry for the dumd question but is that deal better or worse than the cyber sale from last year

 

[Foreigner]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Easiest way is to google 'lifemiles award chart' - easy to find again in future then! (but it would be 85K each way per passenger)

On a general note: I can't see much advantage in buying huge numbers of LM given the co-pay for is around 1.5c anyway. You might save a few dollars, but not sure if that off-sets the risk in potential devaluations or restrictions in airline availability.

Thanks...I didn't realise the roundtrip would be 170k miles. I guess now one gets hit twice - weak AUD in buying miles, followed by devaluation in award redemptions. Lifemiles is little use to me for Europe...maybe okay for Australia - Asia J/F trips.

Ex Oz to North Asia 40k/50k

yet Oz to South Asia is 40k/60k

So SYD to HKG via SIN - I guess would be 50k in F using SQ.

Isn't there's a better alternative for Star Alliance award redemption.