Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[Deleted member 29185]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I've looked at the Life Miles Star award chart and it suggests AU-EU is 92500 life miles in J. Is this accurate in real life? Provided a redemption can be found, that's the miles cost + the pay component? United seems to suggest a lower rate of 85K miles or are life miles worth less than United miles?

 

[Guvner]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks very good summary

For SG, is there absolutely no space made available to lifemiles ex melbourne? I've been trying to find some. I have seen availability from another east coast city in J to singapore (with a trick to) so it may not be a blanket rule. does lifemiles SG availability match united? If so it could be an availability issue but it would be good to know if searching is futile.

Assuming you mean SQ, there is reasonable J availability (no tricks) from ADL, PER, BNE... occasionally SYD. MEL seems to be the problem.
Having said that. I did see J for SQ428, which seems to be seasonal A330 service, come up in October.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I've looked at the Life Miles Star award chart and it suggests AU-EU is 92500 life miles in J. Is this accurate in real life? Provided a redemption can be found, that's the miles cost + the pay component? United seems to suggest a lower rate of 85K miles or are life miles worth less than United miles?

The United tool is only for searching availability. Every program has different award prices, you go by the price of the program you are using to redeem. For example, Qantas charges 60k business class syd-hkg, but AA charges 40. if you are redeeming through qantas you have to pay 60. if you redeem through AA you'd pay 40. Same for lifemiles and other star partners.

Lifemiles doesnt charge fuel surcharges. so you only need to add actual taxes, which are usually pretty low. Also note that the 92500 is the price from Australia, I think it's still 85000 coming home. So you book two one ways and pocket the miles difference. (it's a glitch)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks very good summary

For SG, is there absolutely no space made available to lifemiles ex melbourne? I've been trying to find some. I have seen availability from another east coast city in J to singapore (with a trick to) so it may not be a blanket rule. does lifemiles SG availability match united? If so it could be an availability issue but it would be good to know if searching is futile.

The general rule is that Singapore airlines long haul premium cabins (not regional) are unavailable for redemption. First class is definitely out, business class can show some patchy availability. Sometimes that availability will be on the a30 (considered a regional aircraft). Sometimes you might get lucky and get true long haul. But it's rare. United airlines doesn't show SQ availability, but aeroplan does. If you can find seats via aeroplan they should, in theory, be availble on LM. but it might be a screenshot.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I've looked at the Life Miles Star award chart and it suggests AU-EU is 92500 life miles in J. Is this accurate in real life? Provided a redemption can be found, that's the miles cost + the pay component? United seems to suggest a lower rate of 85K miles or are life miles worth less than United miles?

So you use United to find ( search ) saver availability and then try and replicate that date and carrier in Life Miles search engine. If it is available on Life Miles you can book online. So yes 1 way J AU to EU is 92500 life miles.

EDIT : just saw MEL_Traveller post #7283. well explained

 

[jayel]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

The general rule is that Singapore airlines long haul premium cabins (not regional) are unavailable for redemption. First class is definitely out, business class can show some patchy availability. Sometimes that availability will be on the a30 (considered a regional aircraft). Sometimes you might get lucky and get true long haul. But it's rare. United airlines doesn't show SQ availability, but aeroplan does. If you can find seats via aeroplan they should, in theory, be availble on LM. but it might be a screenshot.

Thanks for this, I will check out aeroplan and familiarize myself with singapore's aircraft to see if its worth it vs thai's business which is much less hassle.

 

[jayel]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks will check this out. I was seeing good availability from CBR but will also check out syd. again I guess it depends on the hard product offered on these routes.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks for this, I will check out aeroplan and familiarize myself with singapore's aircraft to see if its worth it vs thai's business which is much less hassle.

Come August, with the exception of SYD, all TG ports will be full flat. The new long hall 'hawker' food service is pretty good. On par with SQ in terms of service and presentation, but lacking in taste (too bland for me, but other reckon it's good). TG flat bed plus good service wins over SQ's angled beds.

 

[jayel]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Come August, with the exception of SYD, all TG ports will be full flat. The new long hall 'hawker' food service is pretty good. On par with SQ in terms of service and presentation, but lacking in taste (too bland for me, but other reckon it's good). TG flat bed plus good service wins over SQ's angled beds.

Thanks, wouldn't mind giving SQ a go just for variety. So there will still be a chance of being TGed ex syd after august? I've got a F flight out of syd in september, I wonder if the a350 J hard product might trump the older 747 F?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks, wouldn't mind giving SQ a go just for variety. So there will still be a chance of being TGed ex syd after august? I've got a F flight out of syd in september, I wonder if the a350 J hard product might trump the older 747 F?

There are no plans to replace the twice daily 747 ex SYD. So F looks pretty safe. F hard and soft product beats even the new J product.

 

[jayel]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

There are no plans to replace the twice daily 747 ex SYD. So F looks pretty safe. F hard and soft product beats even the new J product.

Yeah although I was under the impression they were still occassionally flying the 10 seat 747 F cabin with the angle flat seats and roll down projector screen on SYD BKK? I wonder if this would be worth the premium over new a350 J?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Yeah although I was under the impression they were still occassionally flying the 10 seat 747 F cabin with the angle flat seats and roll down projector screen on SYD BKK? I wonder if this would be worth the premium over new a350 J?

The old 10F is still a flat bed for all intents and purposes. I know some of the pictures seem to show the back-rest is on a slight angle, but honestly I've never noticed it, or had a problem with it. The most important part - your legs and feet - are full flat, resting on an ottoman at the end. The projector is only there for the safety demo, you have a PTV for viewing films in-flight.

The old 10F is still wider, longer, and more spacious overall than any TG J offering. The food and beverage is also a step up. And the ground service is far superior in BKK with buggy on arrival + F lounge in transit and/or departure.

 

[Finale]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Yeah although I was under the impression they were still occassionally flying the 10 seat 747 F cabin with the angle flat seats and roll down projector screen on SYD BKK? I wonder if this would be worth the premium over new a350 J?

Old F is still flat bed and quite comfy but lacks privacy. TG normally uses old F on 471/472 (afternoon from SYD/morning from BKK, 3-4 times weekly) while 475/476 normally get new F. However, my last trip I got a new F on 471/472 and old F on 475/476 lol. 475/476 is safer if you want new F.

A flight attendant told me that old F was the current King's favourite and he liked to sit on 1A.

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/tg475
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/tg471

If leaving from Sydney, I keep checking these flights leaving from BKK so I know beforehand which F I will get.

HS-TGA, HS-TGB, HS-TGF, HS-TGG, HS-TGY, HS-TGZ are new F while HS-TGO, HS-TGP, HS-TGW, HS-TGX are old F.

 

[bwhouse]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

The old 10F is still a flat bed for all intents and purposes. I know some of the pictures seem to show the back-rest is on a slight angle, but honestly I've never noticed it, or had a problem with it. The most important part - your legs and feet - are full flat, resting on an ottoman at the end. The projector is only there for the safety demo, you have a PTV for viewing films in-flight.

The old 10F is still wider, longer, and more spacious overall than any TG J offering. The food and beverage is also a step up. And the ground service is far superior in BKK with buggy on arrival + F lounge in transit and/or departure.

Couldn't agree more, I am a huge fan of TG F no matter what hard product you get. I have always had a great experience.

 

[jayel]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Old F is still flat bed and quite comfy but lacks privacy. TG normally uses old F on 471/472 (afternoon from SYD/morning from BKK, 3-4 times weekly) while 475/476 normally get new F. However, my last trip I got a new F on 471/472 and old F on 475/476 lol. 475/476 is safer if you want new F.

A flight attendant told me that old F was the current King's favourite and he liked to sit on 1A.

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/tg475
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/tg471

If leaving from Sydney, I keep checking these flights leaving from BKK so I know beforehand which F I will get.

HS-TGA, HS-TGB, HS-TGF, HS-TGG, HS-TGY, HS-TGZ are new F while HS-TGO, HS-TGP, HS-TGW, HS-TGX are old F.

Thanks all for the opinions and this tip, I've got 476 out and 475 home (a380 onwards from bkk) so should be fine! I wouldn't be complaining about old F for what I'm paying.

 

[bwhouse]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks all for the opinions and this tip, I've got 476 out and 475 home (a380 onwards from bkk) so should be fine! I wouldn't be complaining about old F for what I'm paying.

The A380 is also awesome, I really liked the cabin layout. Some people think it isn't private enough, but I found it really spacious.

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

The A380 is also awesome, I really liked the cabin layout. Some people think it isn't private enough, but I found it really spacious.

TG A380 F long haul is great. I find the service constantly better than on the B747 from/to SYD.

 

[Nizar]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Guys can anyone comment on the MEL-BKK TG flights ?
Have the hard product on these been upgraded/refurbed ?
I knew they never tended to fly their latest aircraft on this route but wondered what it was like these days as haven't followed LM/TG for a while.

Cheers

 

[bcworld]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Guys can anyone comment on the MEL-BKK TG flights ?
Have the hard product on these been upgraded/refurbed ?
I knew they never tended to fly their latest aircraft on this route but wondered what it was like these days as haven't followed LM/TG for a while.

Cheers

Currently TG461/2 goes out on 772ER (old business). TG465/6 77W (lie fiats). Later in the year (August) I have bookings in 461/2 that show 77W.

 

[Nizar]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Currently TG461/2 goes out on 772ER (old business). TG465/6 77W (lie fiats). Later in the year (August) I have bookings in 461/2 that show 77W.

Thanks for the info.
I'm looking at T466 in August so should be good !

Are TG still as notorious for their equipment swaps as they used to be lol ?