Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[MEL_Traveller]

Without getting bogged down in the screenshot procedure, I think the takeaway from the email I received was that Lifemiles acknowledged that there is a problem with the search engine and that they're trying to fix it.

So the complete lack of availability we're seeing now isn't an intentional 'enhancement'.

The current system would be unworkable. But the old system wasn't that much better... and that's been around for years. How long till they fix it who knows. We've been promised it would be fixed for years now (

 

[PatMcrotch]

Might be worth experimenting with a vpn if you need to book a trip soon.

Just a thought, haven't tried it.

 

[I love to travel]

The columbia workaround seems to be ok at the moment

 

[bcworld]

I'm pretty sure the Colombia workaround is now gone, regardless of browser, incognito etc.

 

[BobbyFlyer]

Flyertalk reports of some people having success now calling their call centre and having success in getting tickets that used to appear on old search engine....this is really a pain now!!

 

[bcworld]

I am seeing some results again in the new search...SQ, TG, BR etc. Maybe still a bit flaky (normal LM flaky!) but definitely stuff showing up that wasn't a couple of days ago.

 

[Guvner]

Same. Plenty of SQ J from Melbourne back on the search results. OZ first ICN-LAX is back as well

 

[BobbyFlyer]

Lot of SQ J from Perth has dried up...can only get max 2 seats in J and less availability of times....doesn't appear to be an LM issue as appears to be same with United....

 

[pmdg7444]

SQ J availability seems to be month specific.....

 

[drron]

Availability for my searches has improved but turning up some unusual results.Some days from USA to NRT it is showing J awards at 10750 instead of 75000.On airlines that have multiple flights on the same day it can be a mixture of 10750 or 75000.
So now we have mistake awards.
They were not what I wanted so haven't tried to complete a booking.May revert when you try to book.

 

[waver99]

Any hints on this one which City in the US? not seeing anything for my searches

 

[drron]

From LAX-NRT.
I'm sure it was a glitch though.
PS Just checked-not happening now.

 

[waver99]

Thanks for letting us know the possibilities for this.

 

[boomy]

OZ 204 ICN-LAX will swap from A380 to A350 sometime next year. As a result we were downgraded from F to J. Called LM and they moved us to OZ 202 earlier on the day, so far so good.

The interesting part is that we have connecting flight which now will be > 24hr. There was no request from LM to change our connection to an earlier time (there were flights available) and we are happy with longer connection so didn't say anything. Unlike other programmes which are very strict on the 24hr rule (like AA for example) seems that LM is more lenient, at least in some cases.

 

[auriga]

Air China seems to be showing on some searches?
Anyone been able to book these?

 

[coolkid101]

finally - LM 145% bonus is back!

got an email just now

fantastic promo - minimum of 1000 LM only @ 1.34 cpm USD - up to 200k miles for the year

been waiting for this most of the year! time to stock up guys

 

[brown891]

finally - LM 145% bonus is back!

got an email just now

fantastic promo - minimum of 1000 LM only @ 1.34 cpm USD - up to 200k miles for the year

been waiting for this most of the year! time to stock up guys

Saw the email too, worth buying them? Do you rate ‘stocking up’ ? Or reckon it’s better to buy only when you have a redemption in mind, id love to buy them and use for Mum or dads bday late next year.

Also, qantas cash have a promo at the moment.. Load $5000 or more and get 5000bonus points. Then if you used it to pay for miles you’d get 1.5points per $. Idk if credit cards are better but I find that a good way to earn some extra points.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Saw the email too, worth buying them? Do you rate ‘stocking up’ ? Or reckon it’s better to buy only when you have a redemption in mind, id love to buy them and use for Mum or dads bday late next year.

given the massive problems with LM in terms of booking, availability, and trying to contact them, I'd don't think they are a 'stockpile' scenario. But YMMV.

If the price is 1.34cpm, you can buy them for 1.5c anyway under points plus pay. So the bit of a cent you save per mile is something you'll have to work out if it is worth the risk.

 

[coolkid101]

Saw the email too, worth buying them? Do you rate ‘stocking up’ ? Or reckon it’s better to buy only when you have a redemption in mind, id love to buy them and use for Mum or dads bday late next year.

Also, qantas cash have a promo at the moment.. Load $5000 or more and get 5000bonus points. Then if you used it to pay for miles you’d get 1.5points per $. Idk if credit cards are better but I find that a good way to earn some extra points.

The miles are the cheapest I can ever recall them being. Before they hiked the price last time the highest bonuses were 100% which from memory works out to be about the same price. You can also buy any amount this time to get the bonus.

Here's luckys take on it
Wow: LifeMiles Is Offering A 145% Bonus On Purchased Miles - One Mile at a Time

Most people will tell you not to stock up for various reasons, certainly all bloggers do, but if you've got a specific redemption in mind that LM has traditionally been easy to get then can't see why not.. They've already had a recent deval so hopefully won't be another soon.. I use a cc that doesn't charge a forex fee to buy.

 

[boomy]

Was focused on burning UA lately and didn’t use LM for a while. I usually restock at 145% (it doesn’t get much better than that) but recent website changes which closed some major loopholes and lack of posts in the successful bookings thread are a worry