Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

If you search for the availability for 2 people on each of the component sectors (rather than all at once ex-LHR or ex-CDG), do you get anything, or it still says none?

I can. Either via BKK or ICN. The TG flight has < 2 hour layover so in theory it should just work.

It's this quirkiness that makes me less inclined to bother with LM, except for direct flights. United is definitely easier to organise with.

 

[ermen]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Firstly, I would like to apologize if my comment was offensive. I didn't mean you specifically.

The reason I brought in AA is because Tania73 asked about AA vs LM initially. The debate between AA vs LM is not just between me and you, but many of my other friends and other online channels. It is essentially Star Alliance vs Oneworld, the two competing alliances. So it's a bit like which political party you vote for and everyone has their opinions.

With both programs selling their miles at a record low, and with an incoming AA devaluation, I had a lot of debates recently (not just you) and I have to say, many oneworld supporters believes AA is still a better program, and they choose to buy AA miles this time. I fully respect that if they find value in it. I have agreed with you several times, horses for courses, and I intend to continue to use AA for redemptions to Asia. I have also given you my calculations in that I find saving $500 USD I could easily purchase JR pass and travel anywhere in Japan. That was my rational calculation and I find value in it. You don't have to agree with me if you prefer to fly and that is perfectly fine.

So, there really isn't a "better" program but each has its pros and cons. But I personally find better value for me to buy LM at 140% because I will have good use of it.

And thanks to Little Fokker's reminder that my comment could possibly stir people up (like I said, it's two competing alliance), I'll delete that last bit of comment.

would say if people are considering AA, Alaska miles also has its advantage. certainly going to the US from Oz is very good value...

 

[ermen]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Tempted to buy witht he current promo but the effort required to book with LM these days puts me off them

the ironic thing about the website errors it that it actually has made the program much better...
the ability to do the screenshot method makes it more flexible. Not that i had used the latter before, but i heard you could mix and match...

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I can. Either via BKK or ICN. The TG flight has < 2 hour layover so in theory it should just work.

It's this quirkiness that makes me less inclined to bother with LM, except for direct flights. United is definitely easier to organise with.

So screenshot may still work if you can find segments by segments.

True, LM's quirkiness can be really annoying and hence my love and hate relationship with it. UA is definitely easier to do but also more expensive, 2.1-2.5 cents each with sale. So it's up to each whether you would like to save 25-30% and put up with the inconvenience.

 

[luxury-lizard]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

So screenshot may still work if you can find segments by segments.

True, LM's quirkiness can be really annoying and hence my love and hate relationship with it. UA is definitely easier to do but also more expensive, 2.1-2.5 cents each with sale. So it's up to each whether you would like to save 25-30% and put up with the inconvenience.

I agree with you about UA being much easier and flexible so perhaps the premium is worth it BUT it's a lot harder to accumulate the 100's of 1000's of miles required if you travel in the pointy-end several times a year. UA's promotions (bonuses) are less frequent and they have lower annual maximum miles allowed to be purchased without the buy up to half on booking option.

 

[bcworld]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I can. Either via BKK or ICN. The TG flight has < 2 hour layover so in theory it should just work.

It's this quirkiness that makes me less inclined to bother with LM, except for direct flights. United is definitely easier to organise with.

Screenshot will work fine. If you fancy starting somewhere else, look at CPH, ARN or OSL...these will probably work online. All 77W routes so you will be getting a decent product.

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Holy Cow! LH F bookable with Lifemiles!!!

http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/11/29/lifemiles-lufthansa-first-class/

 

[hummel]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Holy Cow! LH F bookable with Lifemiles!!!

Redeem LifeMiles For Lufthansa First Class Once Again! - One Mile at a Time

But still limited to T-14 days before Dep....

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

But still limited to T-14 days before Dep....

Its a lot better than nothing. I assume LH dont fly to BKK?

EDIT: ive just checked and they do BKK-FRA. I would be a nice way to 'upgrade' a TG F flight to FRA to LH F!

I reckon the screenshot method could even get you SYD-BKK-HKG-FRA....

 

[tm.smile]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Its a lot better than nothing. I assume LH dont fly to BKK?

They fly FRA-BKK...

 

[pmdg7444]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

This is huge. LH F bookable again even if at T-14. Was gunna stock up on UA but now LM comes to the rescue..

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

This is huge. LH F bookable again even if at T-14. Was gunna stock up on UA but now LM comes to the rescue..

The timing of FRA-BKK-SYD is pretty perfect- you get to experience 2 of the worlds best airport lounges and it neatly falls within the 8 hour stopover (its about 5 hours).

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

The timing of FRA-BKK-SYD is pretty perfect- you get to experience 2 of the worlds best airport lounges and it neatly falls within the 8 hour stopover (its about 5 hours).

Yup. I think that's a better option than going the other way

So could possibly book TG FRA-SYD in advance to make sure you can get home. If LH F comes up, then change the booking.

 

[hedge]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I also received the promo email. Is it cheaper to use the miles co pay method or the promo? To me, they come out similar price - so why would we buy the promo?

Or did I just miss something?

Thanks

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Happy to be wrong... but I din't think LH offered Fcl to BKK? I thought that was withdrawn some time ago.

I believe it's still offered from SIN/HKG/PVG/TYO etc.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I also received the promo email. Is it cheaper to use the miles co pay method or the promo? To me, they come out similar price - so why would we buy the promo?

Or did I just miss something?

Thanks

At 100% bonus, it's cheaper to do copayment. At 120% it's the same. At 140%, it's cheaper to buy promo.

But you still need 40% of miles to use copayment. So we buy promos for that 40%. Some people will max out at 140% as that's cheaper than copayment. But it's risky to warehouse that many miles that you don't have any plan to use. It'll devalue over time.

 

[hedge]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

At 100% bonus, it's cheaper to do copayment. At 120% it's the same. At 140%, it's cheaper to buy promo.

But you still need 40% of miles to use copayment. So we buy promos for that 40%. Some people will max out at 140% as that's cheaper than copayment. But it's risky to warehouse that many miles that you don't have any plan to use. It'll devalue over time.

Thanks, that is a great answer. I totally agree with the warehousing risk, especially as I just purchased AA miles

 

[anat0l]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Holy Cow! LH F bookable with Lifemiles!!!

Redeem LifeMiles For Lufthansa First Class Once Again! - One Mile at a Time

Damn! Just has to happen when I'm about to leave Europe with no time to take advantage!

You'd almost think this is a temporary glitch? I thought the blocking was mainly the shots being called by LH, but what would I know...

One Mile At A Time is going to milk this like crazy... as is every other mileage booker. The silly season is coming up, so I'm sure there's enough people with a good excuse to travel and may not have made plans yet.

Its a lot better than nothing. I assume LH dont fly to BKK?

EDIT: ive just checked and they do BKK-FRA. I would be a nice way to 'upgrade' a TG F flight to FRA to LH F!

I reckon the screenshot method could even get you SYD-BKK-HKG-FRA....

Happy to be wrong... but I din't think LH offered Fcl to BKK? I thought that was withdrawn some time ago.

I believe it's still offered from SIN/HKG/PVG/TYO etc.

That's interesting, as I looked at the LH F map and BKK isn't on there. Or at least for the next 14 days.

Using the LH website to try and book FRA-BKK will send you on LX F via ZRH.

LH fly F to PEK, however, and even better (I guess, subjective) they fly the A380 there (I think - it was one of the first places to get LH A380 F).

 

[baggyred]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Hi All - have been investigating LM since the death of USDM.

From what I've read - if an itinerary isn't available online - then it is not going to be available with a call?

Looking at a range of flights out of Perth - very little seems attainable. A few flights within Asia is about all that shows up.

I've looked at flights from per to sin and then say sin to another onwards destination. Each segment shows up separately - however when trying to view the entire trip - it simply doesn't show.

I'm aware LM has an 8hr max transit - but the connections remain inside that allowed time.

Am i missing something?

 

[tania73]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Read through this thread - los of info on screenshot method.