Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[bcworld]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

the point is - the SQ inventory is available now.

most of the people complaining are saying things like 'oh I was going to book some SQ but now it might be gone'.

so they want to have their cake and eat it too.

There is no guarantee LM wouldn't have removed the inventory earlier, or that they won't remove it tomorrow or the day after. And no necessary link between it being blogged and removed (it might have been on LM's radar for a few days now waiting for an IT patch... we have no idea).

too many people complaining instead of just going ahead and booking what they need now.

I don't really have a position on bloggers vs forums - I'll make an exception for someone who all of a sudden turns blogger after being so secretive on the forums to the point it was childish at times.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

I don't really have a position on bloggers vs forums - I'll make an exception for someone who all of a sudden turns blogger after being so secretive on the forums to the point it was childish at times.

that... is very true. I hadn't put two and two together on that until you mentioned it.

 

[dalereardon]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Just a quick query - how many days out does LM release award inventory?

I am looking for an award flight to Hawaii and also New York in J next April. I am coming from Tasmania (Hobart) so what is the most likely routing to look at?

Dale.

 

[tallboy]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

My apologies in advance, as I think this issue is covered somewhere in this thread but I have searched for a while and am unable to find it.

I am trying to book some tickets for a trip to South Africa next year and would like to fly into one destination and out of the other as in the following:
MEL-CPT // surface // JNB-MEL or vice versa via whatever routing.

I have tried to book this via the LM website but can't make it work. I think I recall that open-jaw reservations can't be made using LM, so you have to opt for simple point to point returns, or combine two one way bookings at slightly higher cost. Is that correct?

Thanks and regards in advance.

tb

 

[aikman]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Why would two one way bookings be slightly higher cost? Two one ways should cost the same as a return.

 

[bcworld]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Why would two one way bookings be slightly higher cost? Two one ways should cost the same as a return.

Twice as many booking fees.

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Just a quick query - how many days out does LM release award inventory?

I am looking for an award flight to Hawaii and also New York in J next April. I am coming from Tasmania (Hobart) so what is the most likely routing to look at?

Dale.

No offence, but this is going to almost impossible to ticket.

 

[kamchatsky]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Just a quick query - how many days out does LM release award inventory?

I am looking for an award flight to Hawaii and also New York in J next April. I am coming from Tasmania (Hobart) so what is the most likely routing to look at?

Dale.

You can do something like this:

OZ J SYD-ICN
OZ J ICN-HNL
UA J/F HNL-EWR
OZ J JFK-ICN
OZ J ICN-SYD

I don't think any star alliance airlines serves Hobart. Also it is a long way around to go to Hawaii as well.

 

[quokka77]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Life miles certainly is quirky. Today I find myself in possession of an extra 150000 miles (in my partner's account) as a result of a transaction processing which the call centre had assured me would not process and was not registered in their booking system. Also, a route which I tried to book online (unsuccessfully) is now booked (but definitely not paid for nor ticketed) and I am receiving updates about minor departure time changes. The double sale of points I think I personally can handle, although many people would probably be reaching for the phone at this point to cancel I'll just sit on them for a rainy day. The booking of phantom tickets is a worry. I think I will make sure to proved very slowly and carefully with future booking and even if I'm told something was unsuccessful / cancelled, make sure I give the computer a day or two to work through its issues before proceeding on a different course. Lucky the phantom ticket is booked against my account containing minimal miles (rather than the 150k one) so I don't have to worry too much that it will debit a ticket I can't use. I hope. proceed slowly and with caution!

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Just a quick query - how many days out does LM release award inventory?

I am looking for an award flight to Hawaii and also New York in J next April. I am coming from Tasmania (Hobart) so what is the most likely routing to look at?

Dale.

You cannot have a stopover in Hawaii unless you price AU-HNL then HNL-NYC as two separate multicity redemptions (which cost a lot more points). You will need to make your own way to SYD to start and end your trip. You will also have to have flexibility and be organised to have any hope of finding flights.

I would suggest the USDM program may be more appropriate for this intended trip.

 

[tallboy]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

My apologies in advance, as I think this issue is covered somewhere in this thread but I have searched for a while and am unable to find it.

I am trying to book some tickets for a trip to South Africa next year and would like to fly into one destination and out of the other as in the following:
MEL-CPT // surface // JNB-MEL or vice versa via whatever routing.

I have tried to book this via the LM website but can't make it work. I think I recall that open-jaw reservations can't be made using LM, so you have to opt for simple point to point returns, or combine two one way bookings at slightly higher cost. Is that correct?

Thanks and regards in advance.

tb

Apologies, just seeking confirmation of the above bolded text ~ is that correct? Open-jaw not possible, or is there some way of doing it?

Thanks,

tb

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Apologies, just seeking confirmation of the above bolded text ~ is that correct? Open-jaw not possible, or is there some way of doing it?

Thanks,

tb

I suspect if you have tried it via the website, including the 'multi city' function (which auto fills the next starting point anyway), then it's not possible.

You would then need to 'manually' create your open jaw by purchasing two separate tickets.

 

[mushypeas]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

made an online booking this evening MEL > NRT return - 42,000 pts and USD$948 with Thai - absolute piece of piss, went through straight away. Just logged into checkmytrip and it's showing the Thai PNR etc... are there any tricks or anything I should be wary of? (I fly out Monday and seems I'll get to try their A380 BKK>NRT)

 

[gpl007]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Just had to cancel a booking due to a change of plans. I was a bit apprehensive as I've read mixed reviews on the dealing with the Avianca call centre.

It took a while, probably 30 mins, but the agent was actually very good and despite some troubles with the spelling of my suburb (Wollstonecraft - so not easy) it all went smoothly.

Looks like I'll be getting all Miles back, even though I paid with Miles and cash. Hopefully it all goes through ok!

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

made an online booking this evening MEL > NRT return - 42,000 pts and USD$948 with Thai - absolute piece of piss, went through straight away. Just logged into checkmytrip and it's showing the Thai PNR etc... are there any tricks or anything I should be wary of? (I fly out Monday and seems I'll get to try their A380 BKK>NRT)

Nice work. Call up TG Australia - they should be able to seat assign you now.

 

[markis10]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Nice work. Call up TG Australia - they should be able to seat assign you now.

Not until the e ticket is issued.

 

[canne]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Just had to cancel a booking due to a change of plans. I was a bit apprehensive as I've read mixed reviews on the dealing with the Avianca call centre.

It took a while, probably 30 mins, but the agent was actually very good and despite some troubles with the spelling of my suburb (Wollstonecraft - so not easy) it all went smoothly.

Looks like I'll be getting all Miles back, even though I paid with Miles and cash. Hopefully it all goes through ok!

Hi gpl007 - Which call center did you call and what is the number? I also need to do a cancellation. Thanks

 

[gpl007]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Hi gpl007 - Which call center did you call and what is the number? I also need to do a cancellation. Thanks

I called the Avianca call centre in the US, from Aus the full number to dial is: 0011 1 800 284 2622

In the initial IVR menu, press 2 for english and you should be ok from there.

 

[mushypeas]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Not until the e ticket is issued.

according to checkmytrip, the eticket number was there instantly.... but i booked at 10pm and called 9am the next day... no issues at all other than the flight took off within 48 hours and the cream seats were gone

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - New FF program in *A

Avianca has issued a new partner redemption chart. Modest increases in some zones. Australia to SE Asia seems unchanged.