Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[boomy]

Is there still a discrepancy in the mileage charged between booking online and via support?

It can happen and it can play in our favour.

 

[r01x]

Thanks, knew that was the case in times gone by, but not sure if it still held. I guess as with everything else in LM, YMMV.

 

[NZflygirl]

I've been playing around with LM site lately. I swear united airlines wasn't on LM and there's a little joke/dig eluding to this on point hacks. But today they are listed and they have some availability .

I don't remember seeing partner airlines and star alliance airlines on the SQ site but noticed them there today.

Or maybe I'm just behind the times

Just need to wait for a good promo to come along (like the 145%) to actually buy some miles but otherwise I think I'm into this program

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've been playing around with LM site lately. I swear united airlines wasn't on LM and there's a little joke/dig eluding to this on point hacks. But today they are listed and they have some availability .

I don't remember seeing partner airlines and star alliance airlines on the SQ site but noticed them there today.

Or maybe I'm just behind the times

Just need to wait for a good promo to come along (like the 145%) to actually buy some miles but otherwise I think I'm into this program

United Airlines has always been available through LM. There was wide open availability a few months ago USA-TYO for example (in F) as well as other Asian destinations, and limited availability TATL. I booked a USA-MEL non-stop as well, but theree was like one seat on one day three months in advance. Availability is the problem. TATL and Australia get snapped up very quickly... perhaps giving the appearance it's not available.

SQ recently introduced the ability to book partner awards on line.

 

[NZflygirl]

United Airlines has always been available through LM. There was wide open availability a few months ago USA-TYO for example (in F) as well as other Asian destinations, and limited availability TATL. I booked a USA-MEL non-stop as well, but theree was like one seat on one day three months in advance. Availability is the problem. TATL and Australia get snapped up very quickly... perhaps giving the appearance it's not available.

SQ recently introduced the ability to book partner awards on line.

I can't believe how much availability SFO-AKL has, about half of Jan, although it is last minute, some dates in Feb also. UA are supposed to have the polaris product flying to AKL also.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I can't believe how much availability SFO-AKL has, about half of Jan, although it is last minute, some dates in Feb also. UA are supposed to have the polaris product flying to AKL also.

It's a seasonal service 20OCT17 to 22MAR18. Which might explain why there's some availability for that route opening up.

 

[Major]

I have been looking at using LM on Air NZ for BNE-RAR in Oct but there is no availability at all.

Does this open up at all closer to the date ?

 

[Stutzy]

I have been looking at using LM on Air NZ for BNE-RAR in Oct but there is no availability at all.

Does this open up at all closer to the date ?

Some of the star alliance airlines will put up award seats closer to the date of travel incase they sell out the cabin. Air NZ seems to barely ever have award space for lifemiles let alone premium cabins awards.

 

[I love to travel]

Does anyone know the time frame for releasing of F seats on Lufthansa. If they release them its usually 3 days beforehand but my question is the exact timing T-72 hours from departure location or do they work at T-72 from Bogota time etc. Any insights would be great. Thanks

 

[JessicaTam]

Does anyone know the time frame for releasing of F seats on Lufthansa. If they release them its usually 3 days beforehand but my question is the exact timing T-72 hours from departure location or do they work at T-72 from Bogota time etc. Any insights would be great. Thanks

I don't think there is a set time. I thought they could be released up to 14 days before.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I don't think there is a set time. I thought they could be released up to 14 days before.

Correct. The earliest LH releases F inventory to its partners is 14 days before. LM however does some extra blocking of its own. Seats can show up, sporadically, at any time between 14 days and day of departure. Or not at all.

 

[boomy]

LM shows LH F T-14 but only on restricted routes. Almost no availability on A380, best bets are usually B748 ex-FRA or A340 ex-MUC.

 

[Finale]

THAI just released quite a bit of F seats SYD-BKK route. I checked Feb - June but could be more. Most seems to be just 1 seat per flight though. Good timing for me.

 

[1022]

THAI just released quite a bit of F seats SYD-BKK route. I checked Feb - June but could be more. Most seems to be just 1 seat per flight though. Good timing for me.

That's all good and well, so long as TG drag their heals on switching from the 747 to the slated A350 (2 class) on SYD flights which was mentioned elsewhere as happening in the first half of 2018. If the MEL A350 introduction is any indication though, it'll be years before they hit SYD.

I have TG J flights booked in August via LM and am hoping for one last hurrah up in a 747 bubble. Day flight, so the old angled product is satisfactory.

 

[Happy Trails]

Expiry provisions are changing.

Miles Expiration Policy valid from April 15th, 2018.

a. Any miles accrual transaction in a member´s account in the Program extends the validity of the miles in the account of such member for a term of twelve (12) months from the date of such accrual of miles.

Other transactions that may affect the balance of miles in a member’s account, including redemption transactions, will have no effect on them and will not extend the validity of the miles in such account.

Avianca LifeMiles Will Expire in 12 Months, Only Accrual (Not Redemption) Will Extend - View from the Wing

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Expiry provisions are changing.

Miles Expiration Policy valid from April 15th, 2018.

a. Any miles accrual transaction in a member´s account in the Program extends the validity of the miles in the account of such member for a term of twelve (12) months from the date of such accrual of miles.

Other transactions that may affect the balance of miles in a member’s account, including redemption transactions, will have no effect on them and will not extend the validity of the miles in such account.

Avianca LifeMiles Will Expire in 12 Months, Only Accrual (Not Redemption) Will Extend - View from the Wing

Hmmm. Perhaps not so bad for the majority of us buying miles. Binus promotions are frequent (maybe that's going to change?) and miles should only really be purchased for confirmed travel up to a year in advance.

I either missed it, or it is silent on what happens with miles which would have otherwise expired if you cancel a ticket? I think it should be covered by 'b' - any transaction that increases the the balance.

 

[auriga]

Expiry provisions are changing.

Miles Expiration Policy valid from April 15th, 2018.

a. Any miles accrual transaction in a member´s account in the Program extends the validity of the miles in the account of such member for a term of twelve (12) months from the date of such accrual of miles.

Wow, not the best news.
Will really need to watch out.

 

[burmans]

Wow, not the best news.
Will really need to watch out.

Yes, but you only need a small miles purchase each year to keep the account alive, which is what I think I'll be doing for myself and my wife. A bit of a pain but have largely been doing this anyway when they have 145% bonus.

 

[BobbyFlyer]

With TG does anyone know if they release more than the initial 2 J seats for destinations to Japan from BKK? I know they do it for some routes outside Japan, but seems they are more stingy these days.....I have tried HND before in January and they didn't release any more so was wondering about NRT, NGO or cough? Any help much appreciated!!!

 

[drron]

I got 2 from NRT-BKK about 2 months ago for May that had been unavailable that had been unavailable for the 2 months before that so I guess the reverse may work.It could of course have been someone cancelling awards.