Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

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re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I am looking at coming home from EU early next year in TG F. I would like to return in LH F but have to wait until T-14d. If I book the TG FRA-BKK-MEL now-ish, can I change the booking to LH FRA-SIN TG SIN-BKK-MEL closer to travel date as the origin and destination would remain the same?

My alternative is two bookings FRA-SIN and SIN-MEL, book LH if/when I can and cancel the redundant FRA-SIN leg.

I don't like the 'change' option. really screwed up one of my friend's bookings a year or so ago. I like option 2 - book the sectors separately. LH F > SQ R. If you can score it the cost of two individual sectors is a worthwhile inconvenience.
 
re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

150 usd/person change fee. If you have miles, better to book LH F before canceling the TG F reservation (50+25 dollars in total). Finally, expect to be shocked by the LH taxes coming out of Germany.

accounts need to be open at the time the promo starts (2/1st in this case)

I don't like the 'change' option. really screwed up one of my friend's bookings a year or so ago. I like option 2 - book the sectors separately. LH F > SQ R. If you can score it the cost of two individual sectors is a worthwhile inconvenience.
Thanks for that. I will consider my options. :-|
 
re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I am looking at coming home from EU early next year in TG F. I would like to return in LH F but have to wait until T-14d. If I book the TG FRA-BKK-MEL now-ish, can I change the booking to LH FRA-SIN TG SIN-BKK-MEL closer to travel date as the origin and destination would remain the same?

My alternative is two bookings FRA-SIN and SIN-MEL, book LH if/when I can and cancel the redundant FRA-SIN leg.

If I'm not mistaken FRA-SIN served by A388 which can be quite challenging to find seats on. You will have better chances searching flights to HND/PEK on B748.
 
re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

You will have better chances searching flights to HND/PEK on B748.

I would take the 748 before the A80 too. Win-win! From HND there are some great fares on Air China to Australia - can be had for less than AUD1000 - full flats on the China to Australia. Would make an excellent combo. (As a 'back up' out of Europe perhaps try to get NH confirmed in F or J to Tokyo.)
 
re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

If I'm not mistaken FRA-SIN served by A388 which can be quite challenging to find seats on. You will have better chances searching flights to HND/PEK on B748.
And flying on the 748 is something I have missed in the past, so thanks for the info.
 
re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I would take the 748 before the A80 too. Win-win! From HND there are some great fares on Air China to Australia - can be had for less than AUD1000 - full flats on the China to Australia. Would make an excellent combo. (As a 'back up' out of Europe perhaps try to get NH confirmed in F or J to Tokyo.)

Can be cultural shock hopping from LH to CA :p

The best option would have been taking the train to NRT and flying home on JL F but unfortunately it's no longer possible so other interesting options are HND/NRT-SIN-MEL/SYD on SQ F/R or NRT-BKK-SYD on TG F (both great use of KF and LM). The more boring options are direct flights on NH/QF J HND-SYD.
 
re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I have some experience with Thai and Air India but not Asiana.

Thai is great if you're on their new 787's ex Aus, though our eastern states friends may or may not be getting the fully lay-flat beds on all flights yet. Warning with Thai is that they can be somewhat unreliable with flight schedule changes when booking a long way out. But I definitely use them regardless, PER seems to suffer from less schedule changes but with less favourable onward connections.

Air India for me was hit and miss. Good hard product for those who like to sleep with legs akimbo. Entertainment content sufficient for one return Europe trip. Food interesting. One flight had the best service I've ever experienced and the next flight was on par with the worst ever. DEL airport is not my favourite, and the transfer desk was mayhem. We got through ok in the end, AI wouldn't accept our previously issued boarding passes on Singapore paper so we needed new ones, though this was communicated only by a furrowed brow and pointing towards the transfer desk. It took an extremely long time with lots of staff shouting at each other in ?hindi and not telling us if there was a problem with us or with the thousand other things they were dealing with at the same time. I would fly with them again, but probably prefer Thai.

Thanks for this. I might stick to Thai or be adventurous and try Asiana
 
re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks for this. I might stick to Thai or be adventurous and try Asiana

The main issue with asiana is there angled lie-flats - often operating the long ICN-SYD flights. Their service however is top-notch and their food is good (much better than TG). The OZ lounge at ICN is totally unremarkable, but probably a fraction above TG's offerings at BKK (minus the spa).

Air India is a viable alternative if you want guaranteed flat beds (on their 787s) and want to get fed and watered. No bells and whistles. Service might not be doting. But you will arrive refreshed. If you're scratching for availability and Air India meets your requirements they're not 'bad'.

I was first off the plane for my transit at DEL and was through in 2 minutes. The airport is similar to BKK (lots of walking), but is actually a nicer airport overall.
 
re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

150 usd/person change fee. If you have miles, better to book LH F before canceling the TG F reservation (50+25 dollars in total). Finally, expect to be shocked by the LH taxes coming out of Germany.

accounts need to be open at the time the promo starts (2/1st in this case)

I am looking at coming home from EU early next year in TG F. I would like to return in LH F but have to wait until T-14d. If I book the TG FRA-BKK-MEL now-ish, can I change the booking to LH FRA-SIN TG SIN-BKK-MEL closer to travel date as the origin and destination would remain the same?

My alternative is two bookings FRA-SIN and SIN-MEL, book LH if/when I can and cancel the redundant FRA-SIN leg.

Yes I would agree with this. Keep your Thai ticket and hope that LH release tixs. With Lifemiles you can cancel your ticket up to a year after your booking so you can keep looking for LH tixs right to the last minute and have your back up plan. My understanding is that Lifemiles charges $150 per tix change no matter what the change is so you are better off canceling and re-booking if tix come up
 
re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I've only done a few sectors on OZ but I honestly wouldn't rate them above TG. Rather than being top notch service was distinctly amateur hour and actually downright frustrating. Food, to be honest I'd take TGs. I'm sure it was posted eons ago in this thread...the breakfast of lasagne and chopped up frankfurter sausage was just bizarre. The famous bibimbap was disappointing too. Adding all that to the sub par hard product in a lot of cases, I will probably avoid them in future.
 
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re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Inserting to read different opinions. My experience with OZ is mostly positive. Admittedly I've avoided them on the SYD route due to an inferior hard product but on other routes I've been on the service was top notch and food was great. The IFE on the other hand left a lot to be desired...

My experience with TG service is more of a hit and miss. Out of all the full service Asian carriers I've flown so far I'd say TG provided the most amateurish service, keeping in mind that amateurish service by Asian standards still usually better than all the rest ;)
 
re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Agree, I'd rate the food and service on OZ as probably the best I have had. I even liked the seat for a day flight but yes, would have been happy if overnight. IFE, yes not great.
 
re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I've only done a few sectors on OZ but I honestly wouldn't rate them above TG. Rather than being top notch service was distinctly amateur hour and actually downright frustrating. Food, to be honest I'd take TGs. I'm sure it was posted eons ago in this thread...the breakfast of lasagne and chopped up frankfurter sausage was just bizarre. The famous bibimbap was disappointing too. Adding all that to the sub par hard product in a lot of cases, I will probably avoid them in future.

Thanks Bcworld and Meltraveller for your advice I will aim for Thai. I have never been disappointed with them
 
re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Gday

Speaking of OZ- i have a lifemiles redemption coming up in April with BKK- ICN and ICN- SYD on OZ and I just noticed both legs have had a time change of 20 minutes. No dramas with MCT's and flight numbers are the same but one change means it is a date change. On the OZ website and also checkmytrip the flight with the date change shows as unconfirmed. When i go to the OZ website it asks me to confirm the change but when i click that button it fails and says i need an email address, phone number, and first name. Do i need to do anything? I dont want to ring Lifemiles as that is just a bad idea. Might try and call OZ tomorrow and see if they can confirm it all. Anyone had similar experiences?

Thanks.

Pele.
 
re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Do i need to do anything? I dont want to ring Lifemiles as that is just a bad idea. Might try and call OZ tomorrow and see if they can confirm it all. Anyone had similar experiences?

Thanks.

Pele.

Maybe you could email lifemiles stating your acceptance of the changes? (I don't blame you not wanting to ring them!)
 
re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Twice I have had similar problems with LM redemptions and time changes.both with TG and I called TG and got it sorted so try OZ.
 
re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Their service however is top-notch and their food is good (much better than TG). The OZ lounge at ICN is totally unremarkable, but probably a fraction above TG's offerings at BKK (minus the spa).

When was the last time you flew Thai BC? Their food has improved out of sight in the last 6 months or so. The Thai Samrab is awesome and offer some on demand dining options such as the steak sandwich.
 
re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

When was the last time you flew Thai BC? Their food has improved out of sight in the last 6 months or so. The Thai Samrab is awesome and offer some on demand dining options such as the steak sandwich.
That's great to hear since I am flying back from Stockholm on TG in August and based on some feedback here was a bit reticent.
 
re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

When was the last time you flew Thai BC? Their food has improved out of sight in the last 6 months or so. The Thai Samrab is awesome and offer some on demand dining options such as the steak sandwich.

a couple months ago. The food ex BKK was bland. Presentation great, but no flavour. And still little bits of sliced/chopped protein. Oz... big juicy steaks!
 
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