Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Just a reflection on LM... I think I have been using it now for about 4 years and this last year's flights in particular have been incredibly difficult to find (we normally book from MEL to Europe somewhere). I used to purchase points in advance with confidence in respect to finding flights but I'm really skeptical about doing so moving forward. Has anyone else experienced the same difficulty? Is there any objective info to suggest that LM is releasing less flights?

This time round we used LM to book 3 J from SIN into Europe and had to book a separate flight going from MEL to SIN.

I remember people also noting that SG J flights get released close to the travel date. Looking at the next few weeks I can't seem to even find 1 J seat with SG, even for connections excluding Australia.

Perhaps time to have a look at United? I dunno if United is as economic as LM though.

There is some sporadic availability for SQ (Singapore Airlines), particularly short-haul and intra-Asia... but longer flights (including Australia) are not generally available on line. SQ doesn't release 'premium cabin' availability to most of its partners. Premium includes all full flat business and first class. There are some exceptions... A330 and older 777 business class can be found, with PER being a good example (or at least it used to be, dunno if the same still applies now). Sometimes if you send a screenshot LM will come back with an alternative routing that includes SQ, but it's not guaranteed.

TG remains a good option, particularly booking several months out. They have good availability. But trying to book 'close in' you may run in to difficulties.

United has many more options, but their award levels can be more expensive (will be more expensive after 1 Nov). The cost of points for United is 1.88c vs 1.375c for Lifemiles. But... you can fly Air china, Lufthansa etc etc. It's a trade-off. UA can book SQ, again, not generally premium aircraft, and not first class. But you have to call UA for them to book it manually. If you can find availability on Aeroplan, UA will also have it.

LM is great value, if you can find the seats.

 

[diningdecadence]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

those that have flown LH F - is the A330 or A380 preferred? gutted i missed the boat of the upper deck 747 from a couple of years ago!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Rumour:[Denied by RR] Qantas to ban JQ SYD-MEL pax from F lounges & send to J lou

those that have flown LH F - is the A330 or A380 preferred? gutted i missed the boat of the upper deck 747 from a couple of years ago!

The difference comes down only to the aircraft itself.. the a380 is quieter. In terms of service, seating, whatever, same same. If the 748 flies on your route, that's a clear winner.

 

[Danger]

Re: Rumour:[Denied by RR] Qantas to ban JQ SYD-MEL pax from F lounges & send to J lou

Here's a good article with an overview of some sweet spots. United SYD-TYO via SFO in J for 50k sounds pretty sweet.

https://thepointsguy.com/2017/08/hidden-gems-avianca-lifemiles/

 

[RB]

Re: Rumour:[Denied by RR] Qantas to ban JQ SYD-MEL pax from F lounges & send to J lou

Got an email from Thai today re them flying direct Bangkok to Vienna from 16th Nov 2017. From BKK on Mon, Thurs, Sat, Sun & from VIE on Mon, Thurs, Sat, Sun-guess it may show on Lifemiles

 

[Eric Barasa]

why that post title?
Vienna has been announced from a while back.

 

[RB]

why that post title?
Vienna has been announced from a while back.

Sorry to bother you! I have no control over the title. I received an email from Thai today that was headlining the Nov start-maybe I missed where someone already posted the news?

 

[rock86]

Re: Rumour:[Denied by RR] Qantas to ban JQ SYD-MEL pax from F lounges & send to J lou

Here's a good article with an overview of some sweet spots. United SYD-TYO via SFO in J for 50k sounds pretty sweet.

https://thepointsguy.com/2017/08/hidden-gems-avianca-lifemiles/

Could you exploit this, say for the SYD-SFO-NRT and not take the SFO-NRT leg of the journey? Nth Asia point requirement is 50K, whereas US is 85K.

 

[boomy]

Re: Rumour:[Denied by RR] Qantas to ban JQ SYD-MEL pax from F lounges & send to J lou

Could you exploit this, say for the SYD-SFO-NRT and not take the SFO-NRT leg of the journey? Nth Asia point requirement is 50K, whereas US is 85K.

Sure can, but not regularly. You can get blacklisted and lose your miles if exploiting hidden cities too often.

 

[rock86]

Re: Rumour:[Denied by RR] Qantas to ban JQ SYD-MEL pax from F lounges & send to J lou

Sure can, but not regularly. You can get blacklisted and lose your miles if exploiting hidden cities too often.

Ah ok, too easy.

I actually think the LM program is pretty good value on most routes when you purchase their miles at the dicounts.

 

[boomy]

Re: Rumour:[Denied by RR] Qantas to ban JQ SYD-MEL pax from F lounges & send to J lou

Ah ok, too easy.

I actually think the LM program is pretty good value on most routes when you purchase their miles at the dicounts.

Oh yea, if you manage to maximise your routing it's not just pretty good, it's a bloody awesome programme!

 

[Danger]

Re: Rumour:[Denied by RR] Qantas to ban JQ SYD-MEL pax from F lounges & send to J lou

What is up with the post titles in this thread?

 

[RB]

Re: Rumour:[Denied by RR] Qantas to ban JQ SYD-MEL pax from F lounges & send to J lou

What is up with the post titles in this thread?

My post 7465 from yesterday originally had the wrong heading but it is now showing correctly.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Rumour:[Denied by RR] Qantas to ban JQ SYD-MEL pax from F lounges & send to J lou

What is up with the post titles in this thread?

it's a known glitch. The exact explanation escapes me, but one of the mods outlined it before... something about replying via tablet or something? It's only this title that gets automatically inserted.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

What is up with the post titles in this thread?

You can change it, you just have to go into the advanced reply.

 

[coolkid101]

can someone give me some advice regarding my options in this situation

i had a flight on TG F going SYD-BKK-KIX r/t booked via LM
just received notification via myflights app saying my BKK-KIX has been cancelled and replaced (same flight number and time) with a different plane, now on the 777-300 in business instead.
same with my KIX-BKK return

can someone advise what options i have at this time?
will LM allow a cancellation without fee?
or rebooking a different flight without fee?
or should i wait to see if it'll change again given TG's frequent changes

thanks guys

 

[VAG newbie]

can someone give me some advice regarding my options in this situation

i had a flight on TG F going SYD-BKK-KIX r/t booked via LM
just received notification via myflights app saying my BKK-KIX has been cancelled and replaced (same flight number and time) with a different plane, now on the 777-300 in business instead.
same with my KIX-BKK return

can someone advise what options i have at this time?
will LM allow a cancellation without fee?
or rebooking a different flight without fee?
or should i wait to see if it'll change again given TG's frequent changes

thanks guys

I'm sorry to hear that. Looks like you've been TG'd.

It happened to me twice before. Generally in this situation LM will change or refund without penalty as it's an involuntary downgrade. However, if you wanna change to another flight with F, it's subject to availability. If there is no F available they can't make a seat for you. In both of my cases I just had to accept the downgrade. After all, it's still cheaper than just flying SYD-BKK so the BKK-KIX leg isn't just free, it's -10000 LM

 

[coolkid101]

I'm sorry to hear that. Looks like you've been TG'd.

It happened to me twice before. Generally in this situation LM will change or refund without penalty as it's an involuntary downgrade. However, if you wanna change to another flight with F, it's subject to availability. If there is no F available they can't make a seat for you. In both of my cases I just had to accept the downgrade. After all, it's still cheaper than just flying SYD-BKK so the BKK-KIX leg isn't just free, it's -10000 LM

Thanks. It's a real bummer. I've already tried finding an alternative F but no go. Even to NRT. Problem is also needing to find something that matches onto the syd BKK sector.

Glad to know there's at least the option of cancelling for free. Might wait a bit longer in the hope the flight changes back

Backup plan is to cancel and go for the newly available QFF awards on el Al 787 J to visit TLV

 

[MEL_Traveller]

can someone give me some advice regarding my options in this situation

i had a flight on TG F going SYD-BKK-KIX r/t booked via LM
just received notification via myflights app saying my BKK-KIX has been cancelled and replaced (same flight number and time) with a different plane, now on the 777-300 in business instead.
same with my KIX-BKK return

can someone advise what options i have at this time?
will LM allow a cancellation without fee?
or rebooking a different flight without fee?
or should i wait to see if it'll change again given TG's frequent changes

thanks guys

Depends on the reason for the change. If it comes in because of the summer/winter schedule changes, it's unlikely to change back. If it's a one off, might change back.

 

[BacchusMarsh]

If there is no F available they can't make a seat for you.

They can't, but TG can, and then liaise with Lifemiles.