Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Anyone having trouble trying to search award flights currently on LM? keeps coming up for me with 'please fill all fields' when all fields have been filled....

Just wanted to have a peak at some routes because of the current 140% bonus. Thinking to buy either a heap or just the standard 40% of award and then top up later.

Also thinking to buy with Qantas Cash card, this work fine you think?? eg. upload equivalent of USD2000 to cash card and then just purchase miles with that USD so no extra conversion fees?

Working fine for me in chrome.

The issue is how far you want to extend your investment in points. The top up is 1.5c a mile... the difference over buying at 1.375c under the 40% promo is almost negligible but limits any potential losses you might have down the track if you can't get availability or if they change the award chart. .

 

[drron]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

And if you have a LM award on TG it pays to keep checking your seat.
On our J TG award on 10/12 I checked early November and they had cancelled our seat selections so phoned and got them reinstated.I didn't check though before leaving Honolulu and when we checked in at NRT once again our selection had disappeared.I knew that twice I had selected 12A,B and was told it was changed by TG reservations on December 7th.We had been allocated seats apart but did get 16A,B after a while.

 

[gupayami]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Just a quick note that I had better success calling the LM call centre in the USA at 2am Oz time rather than 6 or 7 am Oz time, to make a cancellation. They seem less busy in (their) morning and I got through relatively quickly. One point that might have already been mentioned is that it is well worth having the NATO phonetic alphabet open, and to spell every word in your address (and reservation number) to avoid confusion. This seems handy as the Oz accent seems to slightly confuse them. Also to have your LM number, pin number and credit card handy before you call. On a previous call I had a fraud query from HSBC in the morning so possibly in future it might be worth using a card like the 28 degrees instead.

 

[LA10]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

It's not possible to book silk air using LM is it?

 

[I love to travel]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

M

It's not possible to book silk air using LM is it?

No as they are not part of star alliance

 

[LA10]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

M

No as they are not part of star alliance

Thanks for that.

 

[travelislife]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I know a lot of people book TG out of Aus, and I have flown them a lot with family based in BKK.
They have been a mixed bag for a while but after my flight tonight they appear to have definitely lifted their game.

It's a pity the A350 isn't on the route but I probably just got off my best Thai J flight ever. MEL-BKK, 777-300ER with the nice decor (ie not the bright purple/grey of the A380s). The service couldn't have been better. Food is a massive step up. No more 'bowls of slop and tin foil on tray. Individually plated. Had the Thai Samrab. Some good spice and great flavours. Also had the steak sandwich from 'all day dining'. If all their J flights were like this they would be ahead of CX, the problem is the consistency of product and service just isn't there.

 

[trooper]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Folks need a guide to the phonetic alphabet? Sorry..... years in the Navy make it absolutely second nature....

BACK ON TOPIC..... have J redemptions x 2 for AKL-SFO on UA... for July.

Be interesting to see when/ IF I am proactively contacted....given UA appears to be dropping that route April to October....

 

[I love to travel]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Folks need a guide to the phonetic alphabet? Sorry..... years in the Navy make it absolutely second nature....

BACK ON TOPIC..... have J redemptions x 2 for AKL-SFO on UA... for July.

Be interesting to see when/ IF I am proactively contacted....given UA appears to be dropping that route April to October....

I wouldn't hold your breath about being contacted. You need to proactively get a plan b in place. You might need to go via Europe as ANZ flights can be hard to get on LM. Maybe worth a call to united as well, but I doubt they can do anything as it appears that SFO was their only route from AKL

 

[Eric Barasa]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Folks need a guide to the phonetic alphabet? Sorry..... years in the Navy make it absolutely second nature....
BACK ON TOPIC..... have J redemptions x 2 for AKL-SFO on UA... for July.
Be interesting to see when/ IF I am proactively contacted....given UA appears to be dropping that route April to October....

Don't expect any proactive response, other than advising you to cancel.
start looking for alternative award space, and even consider going via Asia, and then phone LifeMiles if a miracle happens (AKL-SFO space on NZ is a miracle)
suggest screenshot method for any of these patchwork routes
1. AKL-SYD (NZ) + SYD-HND-LAX(NH) + LAX-SFO (UA)
2. similar via Seoul on Asiana
3. Similar via Melbourne and Taipei on Eva
4. AKL-MEL (NZ) + MEL-YVR(AC) + YVR-SFO (AC/UA)
5. AKL-SYD (NZ) + SYD-SFO/LAX(UA) + LAX-SFO (UA)
etc.

 

[trooper]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks very much folks.... I must say that you have confirmed what I suspected re BEING contacted.

Fortunately...for me in this case I suspect... I actually DO want to cancel.....

 

[Garryson]

Hi
I'm a newbie here and on Lifemiles program, I have an important question for me!
I'll be very grateful for the help of the "beautiful" Asia - Europe flight soon. It is possible in PM. I need to fly very soon!

And one more important question for me:

If I find a route Asia nord - Europe with mixed cabin with LH F on a long flight, but the cost is 75 K, which means that the cabin is not first class?
Several changing the route, I get about the same thing but for the 115K. It gives me the guarantee LH F?
I need your help!
Thank you!

 

[travel193]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Has anyone had any luck lately booking in F to North Asia? People seem to be getting F in the successful bookings thread, but I can't replicate it.
I tried a while back using the screenshot method to book SYD-BKK-TPE but because BKK-TPE was in J they didn't accept it (even though there is no first on that route as I understand).

I'm trying to find F availability to other North Asian destinations and despite United giving me heaps of availability, LifeMiles is giving me nothing. Every time I search dates and routes that were available with United, LifeMiles returns a business cabin. I'm searching using Thai Airways from the dropdown and have been very flexible with dates and destinations. I've been checking SeatGuru for the flights they return and they all have first class cabins. What's going on here?

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Has anyone had any luck lately booking in F to North Asia? People seem to be getting F in the successful bookings thread, but I can't replicate it.
I tried a while back using the screenshot method to book SYD-BKK-TPE but because BKK-TPE was in J they didn't accept it (even though there is no first on that route as I understand).

I'm trying to find F availability to other North Asian destinations and despite United giving me heaps of availability, LifeMiles is giving me nothing. Every time I search dates and routes that were available with United, LifeMiles returns a business cabin. I'm searching using Thai Airways from the dropdown and have been very flexible with dates and destinations. I've been checking SeatGuru for the flights they return and they all have first class cabins. What's going on here?

It's the new LM IT glitch. If you force select an airline, even if you select F, it returns J. You gotta use smart search.

 

[travel193]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

That seems to be it thanks! The hack to beat the glitch is now a glitch in itself

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I just noticed that u got knocked back for a mixed class booking!!!!! Has this now changed ??? The rules originally were no mixed class bookings then it changed to mixed class bookings allowed. Now it has changed AGAIN???? Is this a case of the Lifemiles person making a mistake after using the screen shoot method or is this in fact the new world order?

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I just noticed that u got knocked back for a mixed class booking!!!!! Has this now changed ??? The rules originally were no mixed class bookings then it changed to mixed class bookings allowed. Now it has changed AGAIN???? Is this a case of the Lifemiles person making a mistake after using the screen shoot method or is this in fact the new world order?

You can still book mixed cabin online but not screenshot. Their excuse is simply "we only allow mixed cabin on the routes that shows online. If it doesn't show, then that routing is not permitted."

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

You can still book mixed cabin online but not screenshot. Their excuse is simply "we only allow mixed cabin on the routes that shows online. If it doesn't show, then that routing is not permitted."

Well that is just ridiculous considering many of the bookings need to done via screen shot

 

[Cynicor]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Never been allowed a mixed class screenshot booking. There has been a single report on here of one being permitted and that's about it, as far as I can remember.

 

[luxury-lizard]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Personally all us LM users should pester Lifemiles to do something about their bug-ridden online system or at the very least allow all valid itineraries to be booked via screen shot. I and a number of my friends who jumped on the LM bandwagon are so frustrated - almost all itineraries requiring a connection and even some point-to-point ones "error out" and require screen shots. My most recent booking SYD-YVR-SYD required a screen shot - as well as multiple follow up e-mails and phone calls. I've stopped buying miles - this particular itinerary for June/July (high season in Canada) can be booked on AC for around $5500 AUD return - OK so the cost of the LM points is $3500 AUD (at $.02 per mile) - it's getting why bother when paid business class can be not all that much more - and you earn points (not sure how awn on what program for discount J).