Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[leyy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

FYI, datapoint

I have booked and flown Air china in Dec 2015 and Jan 2016 both in J.

TPE-PVG-SYD (screenshot method) and HND-PVG (website direct)

Cheers,
leyy

 

[tania73]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I was wondering whether anyone had tried a 4 leg journey to Europe ex AUS. I currently have BNE-BKK-IST-BCN booked on Turkish airlines, but am becoming a bit worried about Turkey and the reviews of IST airport and the way TK handle IRROPS is worrying me a bit. I can find availability BNE-BKK-HND-FRA-BCN (using the screenshot method of cours0 but am wondering whether this will be too much of a stretch (especially as both BKK and HND stopovers are about 12 hours each) Any thoughts/experiences? Thanks

PS prefer the longer stopovers so I can have a sleep at an airport hotel and use day flights where possible

 

[incumbent]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Addressing possible alternative routes rather than the four-leg issue, this might be a good opportunity to try the "use economy itinerary to justify a business one" approach.

 

[thehound]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I was wondering whether anyone had tried a 4 leg journey to Europe ex AUS. I currently have BNE-BKK-IST-BCN booked on Turkish airlines, but am becoming a bit worried about Turkey and the reviews of IST airport and the way TK handle IRROPS is worrying me a bit. I can find availability BNE-BKK-HND-FRA-BCN (using the screenshot method of cours0 but am wondering whether this will be too much of a stretch (especially as both BKK and HND stopovers are about 12 hours each) Any thoughts/experiences? Thanks

PS prefer the longer stopovers so I can have a sleep at an airport hotel and use day flights where possible

Give it a crack - would love to hear if it works!

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I was wondering whether anyone had tried a 4 leg journey to Europe ex AUS. I currently have BNE-BKK-IST-BCN booked on Turkish airlines, but am becoming a bit worried about Turkey and the reviews of IST airport and the way TK handle IRROPS is worrying me a bit. I can find availability BNE-BKK-HND-FRA-BCN (using the screenshot method of cours0 but am wondering whether this will be too much of a stretch (especially as both BKK and HND stopovers are about 12 hours each) Any thoughts/experiences? Thanks

PS prefer the longer stopovers so I can have a sleep at an airport hotel and use day flights where possible

The incredible TK lounge makes up for any IRROPS risks for me. IST is a mammoth hub (I counted probably 50 TK planes on the ground at once there) and I have confidence they can get you to your destination.

 

[joffaa]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I went thru IST in July 2015. It's a huge airport. It was a 12 minute walk from the business lounge to the gate I had to get to. However the business lounge and the food choices are amazing! (My boys enjoyed the slot car track they have there.) I would go back there in a heart beat.

 

[burmans]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

The incredible TK lounge makes up for any IRROPS risks for me. IST is a mammoth hub (I counted probably 50 TK planes on the ground at once there) and I have confidence they can get you to your destination.

Plus would like to add, I actually really enjoyed my flight on Turkish in J. Its a quality product from my experience, food was very good.

 

[Lizzi]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Plus would like to add, I actually really enjoyed my flight on Turkish in J. Its a quality product from my experience, food was very good.

I enjoyed J on Turkish as well. My only complaint was that they ran out of the yummy lemonade they serve on boarding! Had to keep drinking champers instead...

 

[Guvner]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Reports from another thread that SQ might be starting a SIN-CBR-WLG service with A330's.

edit: Article here Singapore Airlines Canberra Airport Wellington flights - Australian Business Traveller

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Reports from another thread that SQ might be starting a SIN-CBR-WLG service with A330's.

edit: Article here Singapore Airlines Canberra Airport Wellington flights - Australian Business Traveller

I think award availability on this route will be exceptionally good as I don't think demand will be huge.

 

[anat0l]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I think award availability on this route will be exceptionally good as I don't think demand will be huge.

It will be with the older A330s however.

Availability may be good but really stupid if you still have to resort to tricks to get it. I'd thought even availability ex-BNE is very reasonable - all flights being 333 birds except maybe one - although again you need to use tricks. That may change when they switch the operating aircraft to the A350.

The interesting part will be to see how availability will be across the Tasman (assuming SQ secure the rights successfully).

 

[tania73]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Does anyone know the current tricks ex BNE, happy for a PM if people prefer

It will be with the older A330s however.

Availability may be good but really stupid if you still have to resort to tricks to get it. I'd thought even availability ex-BNE is very reasonable - all flights being 333 birds except maybe one - although again you need to use tricks. That may change when they switch the operating aircraft to the A350.

The interesting part will be to see how availability will be across the Tasman (assuming SQ secure the rights successfully).

 

[burmans]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I think award availability on this route will be exceptionally good as I don't think demand will be huge.

What, you mean who'd want to go to Canberra and Wellington?

 

[annielee]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

anyone tried adding an extra leg to the award ticket ?

im booked for MEL-SIN now and wanted to add SIN-BKK..

I dont want to cancel coz i tried to search online for the flight i wanted to fly out from MEL is no longer available (1:05am) and only 7:30pm flight available..

 

[luxury-lizard]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

anyone tried adding an extra leg to the award ticket ?

im booked for MEL-SIN now and wanted to add SIN-BKK..

I dont want to cancel coz i tried to search online for the flight i wanted to fly out from MEL is no longer available (1:05am) and only 7:30pm flight available..

You can call LM and make a change but they will charge $150 (if they are willing to make this change).

As a side effect of your post - I noticed that you were able to book MEL-SIN on SQ which has long been impossible (i.e. seemingly blocked by LM). I tried a dummy booking SYD-SIN and this also showed availability close-in - did not try any other dates but even close in this is good news for all us loyal LM fans.

 

[trixydoza]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Quite a lot changed after the system downtime on Sunday... to take one of many examples, we're now back to being able to book stuff like this online:

 

[burmans]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Nice......

 

[Guvner]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Holy Moly Batman. Good pickup.

 

[Jonova]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Looks like they have fixed the site. SQ is now available out of Melbourne even for flights beyond T-14

 

[annielee]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Yes, i noticed that too, now it's visible on the LM for MEL - SIN and beyond if there is availability, and no need the screenshot method..

You can call LM and make a change but they will charge $150 (if they are willing to make this change).

As a side effect of your post - I noticed that you were able to book MEL-SIN on SQ which has long been impossible (i.e. seemingly blocked by LM). I tried a dummy booking SYD-SIN and this also showed availability close-in - did not try any other dates but even close in this is good news for all us loyal LM fans.