Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[Eric Barasa]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Hi Guys,

Has anyone experienced that they have selected the flights and at the payment page, but have not yet proceeded - and then closed the window.
After that restart to do the same flights on the same dates but it is no longer available?

Did I take the flight I wanted off the system? And would it return since I never actually finished booking it?

Thanks

the PNR is created after you submit passenger details, and they certainly blocked the seats BEFORE cc submission. so inventory is "used up" at that moment. failur to pay releases the inventory after around 72hrs.

 

[donkeykong]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

the PNR is created after you submit passenger details, and they certainly blocked the seats BEFORE cc submission. so inventory is "used up" at that moment. failur to pay releases the inventory after around 72hrs.

Ta, thanks for the quick response!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Ta, thanks for the quick response!

The seats may or may not return to inventory. If you want to proceed with the booking and have a PNR, call the call centre. If you don't have a PNR, you can try calling the call centre with the exact flights and your name. They may be able to find the booking and make any changes for you.

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I didn't know AI had F class until last week

You and me both. I'm looking forward to Ben's full TR to see if it worth trying them myself (just DEL-LHR, not the crazy route he does).

 

[sergeyvzn]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

You and me both. I'm looking forward to Ben's full TR to see if it worth trying them myself (just DEL-LHR, not the crazy route he does).

the very first photo he posted on FB showed that his initial impression wasn't good - a rather large stain on the F seat, overall shabbiness and tiny pillow did not look very inviting

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

...to see if it worth trying them myself (just DEL-LHR, not the crazy route he does).

I would say almost 'unlikely' unless you are actually in India for another reason and want to fly to London, on star alliance, non-stop

Air india F is pretty much just a comfortable bed (which suits some just fine, but you won't get any of the bells and whistles which a lot of people are looking for).

All AI's long haul fleet offers first class, with the exception of the 787.

Here's a trip report about a year old from boardingarea: Review of Air India's Long Haul First Class Mumbai - New York

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

the very first photo he posted on FB showed that his initial impression wasn't good - a rather large stain on the F seat, overall shabbiness and tiny pillow did not look very inviting

Lol I saw that (plus the dull looking AI lounge in LHR) but decided to reserve judgment until I read the full report.

I would say almost 'unlikely' unless you are actually in India for another reason and want to fly to London, on star alliance, non-stop

Air india F is pretty much just a comfortable bed (which suits some just fine, but you won't get any of the bells and whistles which a lot of people are looking for).

All AI's long haul fleet offers first class, with the exception of the 787.

Here's a trip report about a year old from boardingarea: Review of Air India's Long Haul First Class Mumbai - New York

Oh my...

The onboard menu looks very bad, literally!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Oh my...

The onboard menu looks very bad, literally!

Will be interesting to read Lucky's report. Air India does have 'proper' menus, and PJs and stuff like that... just not always loaded on every flight

A printed menu like the one in the report doesn't bother me... actually it provides a bit of entertainment for a couple minutes!

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Will be interesting to read Lucky's report. Air India does have 'proper' menus, and PJs and stuff like that... just not always loaded on every flight

A printed menu like the one in the report doesn't bother me... actually it provides a bit of entertainment for a couple minutes!

Was thinking, instead of doing SYD-BKK-LHR all in TG F to try SYD-BKK(F)-DEL(J)-LHR(F). Connection times are ok just not sure AI F worth it.

 

[anat0l]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Was thinking, instead of doing SYD-BKK-LHR all in TG F to try SYD-BKK(F)-DEL(J)-LHR(F). Connection times are ok just not sure AI F worth it.

I assume TWOV in DEL is a piece of cake.

I'm not confident enough to give AI a chance. It just looks so pedestrian and a lack (luck?) lustre government operation.

I'd rather try my luck on LH F - and I know what your opinion on that product is.

But hey, no mountaineer of great fame never climbed a great peak expecting a smooth luxurious ride all the way up. So if you want to go for it...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I assume TWOV in DEL is a piece of cake.

I'm not confident enough to give AI a chance. It just looks so pedestrian and a lack (luck?) lustre government operation.

I'd rather try my luck on LH F - and I know what your opinion on that product is.

Transit in DEL is very easy - show passport and boarding pass, security check, and on your way. The airport itself is OK, pretty much same same as BKK but but with carpet (which makes it nicer). Free gold carts ferry all passengers in all classes along the very long concourses (same length as BKK). Just hail the golf cart as it is passing.

Lounges are a let-down, but I've yet to be in a 'good' lounge in India (I suppose the Emirates one, if they have one, would be the same standard as other ports).

TG would certainly trump AI. LH no question. But, for a non-stop AI would be perfectly fine.

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I assume TWOV in DEL is a piece of cake.

I'm not confident enough to give AI a chance. It just looks so pedestrian and a lack (luck?) lustre government operation.

I'd rather try my luck on LH F - and I know what your opinion on that product is.

But hey, no mountaineer of great fame never climbed a great peak expecting a smooth luxurious ride all the way up. So if you want to go for it...

Now that mixed bookings allowed SYD-HND-FRA NH J/LH F is quite tempting route but for all F flights AU-EU TG/AI seems like an interesting option.

 

[anat0l]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Now that mixed bookings allowed SYD-HND-FRA NH J/LH F is quite tempting route but for all F flights AU-EU TG/AI seems like an interesting option.

I guess one interesting thing is, to what degree will AV LM accept some rather "long" or "roundabout" methods, even with manual request + screenshots?

SYD-BKK-LHR is easy, elementary. SYD-BKK-DEL-LHR isn't too arguably "off course", especially if, availability-wise, you can argue that this is the only way to achieve the trip. SYD-BKK-NRT-FRA might be asking much!

 

[r01x]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I guess one interesting thing is, to what degree will AV LM accept some rather "long" or "roundabout" methods, even with manual request + screenshots?

SYD-BKK-LHR is easy, elementary. SYD-BKK-DEL-LHR isn't too arguably "off course", especially if, availability-wise, you can argue that this is the only way to achieve the trip. SYD-BKK-NRT-FRA might be asking much!

I've had worse...

 

[cleaver]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Per the successful booking thread, I booked PER-BKKx-NRT/HND-ISG for December. Just had to email LM as no etickets have been issued. Then checked on TG to see if they had the booking. Distressingly, despite definitely booking BKK-NRT in J, it is now showing as being in Y.

Have emailed LM again to ask them to look into it. Luckily I also had a screenshot of the flights that I selected showing that BKK-NRT was in J.

Will have to wait and see, but maybe this mixed class isnt all it cracked up to be.

Anyone had any similar problems?

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Per the successful booking thread, I booked PER-BKKx-NRT/HND-ISG for December. Just had to email LM as no etickets have been issued. Then checked on TG to see if they had the booking. Distressingly, despite definitely booking BKK-NRT in J, it is now showing as being in Y.

Have emailed LM again to ask them to look into it. Luckily I also had a screenshot of the flights that I selected showing that BKK-NRT was in J.

Will have to wait and see, but maybe this mixed class isnt all it cracked up to be.

Anyone had any similar problems?

That is really disturbing to know.

I haven't booked anything yet but the problem I'm experiencing is that I tried to book mixed cabin BNE-SIN in SQ J with SIN-NRT in NH F. It just keeps on error out. Looks like the online booking engine is still fairly buggy

 

[Maverick17]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Per the successful booking thread, I booked PER-BKKx-NRT/HND-ISG for December. Just had to email LM as no etickets have been issued. Then checked on TG to see if they had the booking. Distressingly, despite definitely booking BKK-NRT in J, it is now showing as being in Y.

Have emailed LM again to ask them to look into it. Luckily I also had a screenshot of the flights that I selected showing that BKK-NRT was in J.

Will have to wait and see, but maybe this mixed class isnt all it cracked up to be.

Anyone had any similar problems?

Two on another forum mentioned this also. No one commented much. Now this is a third case, I would think everyone should take screenshots showing the booking class.

 

[tania73]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Two on another forum mentioned this also. No one commented much. Now this is a third case, I would think everyone should take screenshots showing the booking class.

Good idea but won't help those with existing booking. I wonder whether check my trip will let you know if you have been downgraded

 

[donkeykong]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

The seats may or may not return to inventory. If you want to proceed with the booking and have a PNR, call the call centre. If you don't have a PNR, you can try calling the call centre with the exact flights and your name. They may be able to find the booking and make any changes for you.

Called them up today (yesterday they said they didnt have a LifeMile rep who could speak english), and they couldn't see anything I made or anything in their system.
Guess I have to play the waiting game.

 

[Maverick17]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Good idea but won't help those with existing booking. I wonder whether check my trip will let you know if you have been downgraded

Right, I'm assuming that screenshots of what you book should be fixable if you contact LM. But that is a big assumption. And if this happened recently and you didn't have any confirmation somewhere of what you booked, I wouldn't know how to fix that.