Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[Keith009]

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

Maybe I'm not looking far enough ahead or in the peak, but I find this to be not quite true.

The availability varies in BR J, IME, from a nice splattering to stark none. Of course, I'm only mainly concerning myself with the 77W operated routes (other J operated routes do not have the new product). Unless ANA under-shows the BR availability.

Had no issues when we were thinking of using them to LAX. Moot point via LM though as you can't connect from BNE, but you could originate somewhere in Asia or break up your trip in TPE into 2 awards or something. Pretty good availability on selected dates. We typically book awards on any airline about 10 months out but these were available as close as 9 months out upon a cursory search.

 

[HWilliams]

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

I'd like to book a couple of tickets for my parents for around middle of next year to Europe and make use of the promotion, but there aren't many flights to choose from. I'd like to get them an F flight but I can't find any at all. Has anyone succeeded in finding an F flight to Europe? Am I checking too early (they want to go in around 5-6 months)?

All the J flights are essentially Thai as well. I can't find any SQ flights to TAV, FCO, CDG or ATH.

Father had a bad experience with Thai in J, the foot rest was broken and he couldn't extend his feat out properly. Staff were very kind but essentially said there is nothing they can do. He isn't a very good flyer so it was quite an uncomfortable trip for him.

 

[bcworld]

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

I'd like to book a couple of tickets for my parents for around middle of next year to Europe and make use of the promotion, but there aren't many flights to choose from. I'd like to get them an F flight but I can't find any at all. Has anyone succeeded in finding an F flight to Europe? Am I checking too early (they want to go in around 5-6 months)?

All the J flights are essentially Thai as well. I can't find any SQ flights to TAV, FCO, CDG or ATH.

Father had a bad experience with Thai in J, the foot rest was broken and he couldn't extend his feat out properly. Staff were very kind but essentially said there is nothing they can do. He isn't a very good flyer so it was quite an uncomfortable trip for him.

If you want to book a single F award to Europe the only departure point is SYD. I think the options you have will be TG and Air China (when they operate the 77W SYD-PEK which may be seasonal).

You will only be offered a single award if the connection time between flights is less than 8 hours, in some cases up to 12.

You will only be offered SQ-SQ itins to Europe after 14 days before departure.

If you are prepared to spend more miles you could book individual sectors e.g. SYD-SIN and SIN-LHR as separate awards in advance of 14 days.

 

[Keith009]

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

I haven't noticed CA popping up but best availability out of Australia in F is usually exSYD on Thai. Next to nil chance on SQ (not impossible, but a big ask and I don't like your chances of getting more than 1 seat as bcworld pointed out). Thai only flies F out of SYD and there's usually very good availability.

Unlike Thai Business, we are big fans of Thai First. Your parents will be more than sufficiently comfy on either F configuration on the 744 - you will get either a Suite-like seat sans door (I recommend 1A and K over 4EF - the former is sufficiently close together for a couple, the latter even though meant to be a pair of coupled seats is too near the curtains and the J cabin) in a cabin of 9, or the older style individual lie flat seat pods depending if you get a refurbished 744. Fizz is Dom Perignon, not too shabby. They also serve caviar in F, unlike some other supposedly more premium airlines.

I haven't flown on their A380 but these fly to CDG and look amazing.

Next to LH F, TG has perhaps the best F service on the ground. The Flounge in BKK is nice and there are also free spa treatments if your parents are into that sort of thing, but I was most impressed by the private transfer to/from the plane in a buggy and you also get to bypass the hoi polloi through security. If they don't travel well, Thai F ground service will be perfect for them. You also get a private escort through immigration if you are stopping over in Bangkok.

I'd just save the aggravation of looking for needles in haystacks and simply book TG F.

 

[HWilliams]

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

If you want to book a single F award to Europe the only departure point is SYD. I think the options you have will be TG and Air China (when they operate the 77W SYD-PEK which may be seasonal).

You will only be offered a single award if the connection time between flights is less than 8 hours, in some cases up to 12.

You will only be offered SQ-SQ itins to Europe after 14 days before departure.

If you are prepared to spend more miles you could book individual sectors e.g. SYD-SIN and SIN-LHR as separate awards in advance of 14 days.

That was the mistake I was making; departing from Melbourne. I get TG F when I choose Sydney. Might have to get them to take a domestic to and from Sydney for the F.

My calculations note F is only a couple of hundred more than J, so it seems well worth it.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by 'SQ-SQ itns to Europe after 14 days before departure'. Does this mean SQ release flights 2 weeks before departure dates only? I just did a search and found a J flight back from CDG with SQ mid next year.

 

[bcworld]

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

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by 'SQ-SQ itns to Europe after 14 days before departure'. Does this mean SQ release flights 2 weeks before departure dates only? I just did a search and found a J flight back from CDG with SQ mid next year.

From CDG to where?

 

[HWilliams]

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

From CDG to where?

CDG to Melbourne.

 

[bcworld]

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

CDG to Melbourne.

Your account must be special. I clicked all the way from May to Sep and got no seats in J SQ/SQ CDG-MEL.

 

[HWilliams]

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

Your account must be special. I clicked all the way from May to Sep and got no seats in J SQ/SQ CDG-MEL.

I promise I got a search with a full SQ run back home. I'm trying to get it come up again.

Found a flight leaving from Melbourne 20th May and returning 24th July that utilises SQ but it it's with conjunction with other airlines.

 

[bcworld]

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

Found a flight leaving from Melbourne 20th May and returning 24th July that utilises SQ but it it's with conjunction with other airlines.

Half of MEL flights are operated by SQ aircraft with the medium haul business product...it isn't restricted in the same way that the A380/77W are. So you will certainly see it appear in EU itineraries alongside TG, TK etc.

 

[smit0847]

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

Half of MEL flights are operated by SQ aircraft with the medium haul business product...it isn't restricted in the same way that the A380/77W are. So you will certainly see it appear in EU itineraries alongside TG, TK etc.

This - SQ operate 4 different aircraft types out of MEL each day.

The 1am is a 77W
The 11am is a 777-300
The 4pm is an A380 and
The 7pm is an A330.

You want the 1am or the 4pm if you can get it.

 

[HWilliams]

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

Half of MEL flights are operated by SQ aircraft with the medium haul business product...it isn't restricted in the same way that the A380/77W are. So you will certainly see it appear in EU itineraries alongside TG, TK etc.

Just been through a heap of searches and can't seem to find it, sorry mate.

Kinda puts you in a difficult situation because booking 2 weeks before a flight isn't ideal. I assume SQ release both J and F flights? In my situation, I would really like to book then an F flight. I'm guessing 2 weeks before departure you'd have no chance getting a TG F flight and if there aren't any SQ flights available then they're stuck going J with TG again.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

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

This - SQ operate 4 different aircraft types out of MEL each day.

The 1am is a 77W
The 11am is a 777-300
The 4pm is an A380 and
The 7pm is an A330.

You want the 1am or the 4pm if you can get it.

the new regional seat is still very good though especially on a day flight

 

[Keith009]

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

Just been through a heap of searches and can't seem to find it, sorry mate.

Kinda puts you in a difficult situation because booking 2 weeks before a flight isn't ideal. I assume SQ release both J and F flights? In my situation, I would really like to book then an F flight. I'm guessing 2 weeks before departure you'd have no chance getting a TG F flight and if there aren't any SQ flights available then they're stuck going J with TG again.

Book TG F and pay the change fee (US$150 - unsure if that's per person or per PNR) in the unlikely event SQ F pops up?

 

[HWilliams]

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

Found an SQ J flight coming back from Rome.

Screenshot: imgur: the simple image sharer

I think it's with the 777 though which as smit reports isn't ideal.

 

[Keith009]

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

SQ228 (A380) and SQ217 (77W) feature the long haul/non-regional J product. I'd be happy with that. LH isn't quite as nice but rather acceptable. I'd fly the SQ/LH combo over TG exMEL in J (eta: the MEL-SIN-FRA-FCO option that is not the one with the needless routing via both FRA and MUC) but your parents may prefer the more direct TG one stop flights.

The FCO SQ flight is a 772ER which should already be refurbed with the same J product.

 

[bcworld]

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

Found an SQ J flight coming back from Rome.

Screenshot: imgur: the simple image sharer

I think it's with the 777 though which as smit reports isn't ideal.

This is a nice find actually. FCO is I think 772ER which as far as I know should be reconfigured with the extra wide (first generation) business seat by now. Officially even US Airways would let you book this as it's not 77W or A380...the LM logic is possibly the same.

 

[Keith009]

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

This is a nice find actually. FCO is I think 772ER which as far as I know should be reconfigured with the extra wide (first generation) business seat by now. Officially even US Airways would let you book this as it's not 77W or A380...the LM logic is possibly the same.

I am fairly sure LM allows bookings on the 'new' SQ Business/First products unlike US, if you can find availability in the first place. I've booked a friend on the A345 to EWR before.

 

[bcworld]

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

I am fairly sure LM allows bookings on the 'new' SQ Business/First products unlike US, if you can find availability in the first place. I've booked a friend on the A345 to EWR before.

It does. But it doesn't piece them together with connecting flights until T-14 days...with rare exceptions possibly. So MEL-SIN and SIN-LHR are available separately with a 2ish hour connection...but the website won't offer it at 87.5k until 2 weeks before. There is loads of A380/77W for point to point flights in J.

 

[Alanslegal]

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

Has anyone flown BR?! Are the soft+hard products any good? I think I have a 332 flight with them booked TPE-VIE. Will I get pants wedgy during flight?