Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[Pele]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Ouch, loosing those NH seats must hurt!

I have similar issues with Westpac AMEX. Never works online, only the MasterCard.
When tried to pay over the phone same AMEX was accepted so the problem must be with LM online payment system.

Gday

As a point of reference i bought some Lifemiles last week with an Amex issued Amex and it went through no worries. I am guessing when it comes to booking flights through the website or with the screenshot method the same card should work??

Pele.

 

[jgm]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Ouch, loosing those NH seats must hurt!

Not so much. Getting TG MEL-xBKK-LHR saved me a MEL-SYD flight as well as the atrocious domestic-international transfer in SYD. I did get BRU-NRT-HND-SYD (booked online) coming back, and will book the Eurostar London-Brussels when it opens to save the UK APD tax. The timings of the replacement flight were better for us, & saved having to spend a few extra nights in London. We still have to transit SYD (one of the world's worst IMHO) on the way back, but having NH flat beds on both flights almost makes it bearable.

 

[avaction]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

BRU-NRT-HND-SYD looks good for me too. Just a question as to the transfer between NRT & HND, is that arranged by ANA or do you have to it yourself, and if so how?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

BRU-NRT-HND-SYD looks good for me too. Just a question as to the transfer between NRT & HND, is that arranged by ANA or do you have to it yourself, and if so how?

As far as I am aware this is something handled by the passenger. You complete arrival procedures, collect bags, and then make your own way to HND.

There are various options for the transfer - train and bus. Bus is probably convenient.

While ANA states minimum connecting time between flights at HND-NRT os 180 minutes, you should probably ensure a fair bit more time than this to make the connection.

 

[anat0l]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

As far as I am aware this is something handled by the passenger. You complete arrival procedures, collect bags, and then make your own way to HND.

There are various options for the transfer - train and bus. Bus is probably convenient.

While ANA states minimum connecting time between flights at HND-NRT os 180 minutes, you should probably ensure a fair bit more time than this to make the connection.

From experience, the HND/NRT bus takes about 65 minutes, but then you need to allow at least 60 minutes to meet the check-in requirements of the onward flight, about 15-30 minutes for procedures to enter Japan at HND, and then at least 15 minutes or so if you don't arrive in time for a scheduled bus.

My layover time was at least 5 hours and I arrived with plenty of time to spare, but the stars did line up rather well for me, viz. I had help on arrival to get me through arrival procedures, bags arrived amongst the first on the belt, no extensive customs check. I didn't make the bus departing the HND International terminal, but I got a transfer bus to one of the domestic terminals at HND, bought a ticket on the bus there, then got the next service to NRT which happened to be departing just 2 minutes after I had bought the ticket - yep, fortunate timing, albeit the next bus would have been 15-30 minutes after it. The bus route takes as many highways as possible, around the main Tokyo city areas. That doesn't mean traffic is guaranteed to be dodged, but in my case we were smoothly on the move at all times during the journey.

The train is another option. Supposedly, it doesn't do much better than the bus, unless the bus is horribly late for some unforeseen reason. You still need to check the schedules of the trains and allow that in your calculations. I think the train requires a changeover in Tokyo city.

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I think the train requires a changeover in Tokyo city.

There is direct train HND-NRT. Probably the most convenient option if not carrying too much luggage.

 

[Cynicor]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Trains are more likely to stop running than buses in snow weather, but TBH if a snowfall is bad enough for this the bus will be late too. I'd give min 3 hours for a connection, if you like to stress yourself.
Recommend 4.

 

[jgm]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

The NH direct flight BRU-NRT gives a 6.5 hr layover to get from NRT to HND for the HND-SYD flight. I have had some thoughts about a look around Tokyo with this much time, but the +1 usually just wants to relax in the lounge. At least there is plenty of time for the transfer, a shower & a meal in the lounge. I'm not sure how the protection of having both flights on the same ticket works for delays in transit between the two airports.

 

[avaction]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

The NH direct flight BRU-NRT gives a 6.5 hr layover to get from NRT to HND for the HND-SYD flight. I have had some thoughts about a look around Tokyo with this much time, but the +1 usually just wants to relax in the lounge. At least there is plenty of time for the transfer, a shower & a meal in the lounge. I'm not sure how the protection of having both flights on the same ticket works for delays in transit between the two airports.

Just found flights with ANA CDG - HND - SYD, so no need to transfer between airports.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

TI have had some thoughts about a look around Tokyo with this much time, but the +1 usually just wants to relax in the lounge.

I wouldn't even know where to start with only an hour or two for tokyo! Probably the best sightseeing option would actually be the bus/train trip between the two airports. It'll certainly give you an idea of the high density/high activity vibe.

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

The NH direct flight BRU-NRT gives a 6.5 hr layover to get from NRT to HND for the HND-SYD flight. I have had some thoughts about a look around Tokyo with this much time, but the +1 usually just wants to relax in the lounge. At least there is plenty of time for the transfer, a shower & a meal in the lounge. I'm not sure how the protection of having both flights on the same ticket works for delays in transit between the two airports.

6.5hr is more than enough for transit. You can probably stop in the city to have quick look, maybe some shopping. Depends how much luggage you have, it's not fun walking around busy Tokyo carrying too much luggage.

I had 6.5hr layover recently but on the other way (HND-NRT). My original plan was to check in luggage then go to visit Narita township but by the time I got to NRT I couldn't be bothered leaving the airport and just relaxed in the lounge.

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Hi Team
I'm travelling and having trouble logging into my lifemiles account.
Could someone please tell me if there is a J award seat available on SQ227 SIN-MEL showing on lifemiles on 11 JAN?
Many thanks

 

[stoneman]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Unfortunately not as of 6am Qld time...

 

[Guvner]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I'd be shocked if there was any SIN-MEL SQ J for the entire 2016.

 

[andy2015]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Might help someone and it might have already been mentioned:

Close in (Jan 8 for this example) BNE-CTS is showing BNE-SIN-CTS on Singapore Airways but searching BNE-SIN doesn't show anything. Could be used with the screenshot method to get on Singapore Airways.

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Unfortunately not as of 6am Qld time...

Thanks for checking for me stoneman.

 

[legroom]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Trying to book for a friend (SGN xPEK xIAD CLT)

Flights were all available and slider seemed to work but once the miles / USD ratio seemed OK, it failed to proceed.

Instead, an error message came up suggesting that I should try again which brought the same result - 4-5 times

The contact link in the error message surprisingly has a "Redemption Case Number 123456"

Anyone seeing such an inbuilt Redemption Case # ?

What's going on?

 

[Trigona3966]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Hi folks,
Looks like I'll be using my Avianca stash to go to an unexpected wedding in Guangzhou, looking to fly around 23 Feb from BNE. Would appreciate any advice as best way to do this. Appears TG to BKK is the only realistic option, and transit times means no straight thru.
Thanks TP

 

[tania73]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Anyone have any idea on why I cannot find any SQ or LH availability in J from SIN to anywhere in Europe. Looked at multiple dates over next 8 months and there is nothing. Thanks

 

[anat0l]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Anyone have any idea on why I cannot find any SQ or LH availability in J from SIN to anywhere in Europe. Looked at multiple dates over next 8 months and there is nothing. Thanks

Unlucky?

You must get some returns on your searches, e.g. via TG or AI, right?

LH tends to open up a bit closer to the date of travel. That probably doesn't help you.