Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[Bofter]

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

I have tried multiple browsers (Firefox, Chrome, IE), of these I can't remember if any other than Firefox succeeded in displaying ORD.

It looks like the call centre may be the go sadly. I was hoping to avoid it if possible due to reports of challenges with English (my Spanish is rudimentary) although from memory there were some tips earlier in this thread.

 

[HWilliams]

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

Is the recent double points special available for new accounts? Just tried to open an account and buy points for a relative but it isn't showing up with the double amount. I remember when they had the share bonus it worked on new accounts.

Just read in the T&C:
Applies only to members enrolled in the program prior to December 3[SUP]rd[/SUP], 2013

Not good. Really hoping they have another special early next year.

they increased the number of points required in April or May this year. Without warning. And it was a pretty brutal increase in some cases.

Here's hoping this doesn't happen in 2014. I'm guessing if the merger that USDM is going through doesn't result in a competitive program, LM may very well increase their point redemptions and cost per points as they have one less program to compete with.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

Is the recent double points special available for new accounts? Just tried to open an account and buy points for a relative but it isn't showing up with the double amount. I remember when they had the share bonus it worked on new accounts.

Just read in the T&C:
Applies only to members enrolled in the program prior to December 3[SUP]rd[/SUP], 2013

Not good. Really hoping they have another special early next year.



Here's hoping this doesn't happen in 2014. I'm guessing if the merger that USDM is going through doesn't result in a competitive program, LM may very well increase their point redemptions and cost per points as they have one less program to compete with.

as you have discovered these promos are only available to existing account holders at the time the promo is announced.

the last mileage increase was fairly brutal in some cases, significantly adding to cost. lets hope there is no need for them to have another one too soon!

 

[redtop]

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

Apparently, there is a promotion today only that seems to be open to anyone to purchase LM at 3 for the price of 1, but it requires calling in. See the write-up on globetrotterhq.com for details. (Unfortunately, I can't yet include a direct link since my post count is too low).

 

[sandeepn]

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

Apparently, there is a promotion today only that seems to be open to anyone to purchase LM at 3 for the price of 1, but it requires calling in. See the write-up on globetrotterhq.com for details. (Unfortunately, I can't yet include a direct link since my post count is too low).

Unfortunately, it seems to be targeted. When you call in, you now need to send in the email

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

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

Anyone having issues with the LM website today?

Just bought some miles and trying to book some flights and it dies on me after selecting the flights and clicking on continue to put the passenger names in etc.

Tried IE and Chrome with same problem.

 

[robcuk]

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

Just sat in the FCT in FRA after driving a 911s for two hours - was a bit scary leaving the car park but once onto the Autobahns it was great fun. I maxed out at around 260ks as it was a little dark and seeing those left indicators come on briefly doing those speeds was heart attack inducing.

The lounge is fantastic very different from the TG lounge in BKK, it feels a little like being in a Michelin starred restaurant, very quiet, clean and Germanic. The cigar lounge looks inviting so I might indulge as we move away from breakfast time.

Thank you Lifemiles

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

Just sat in the FCT in FRA after driving a 911s for two hours - was a bit scary leaving the car park but once onto the Autobahns it was great fun. I maxed out at around 260ks as it was a little dark and seeing those left indicators come on briefly doing those speeds was heart attack inducing.

The lounge is fantastic very different from the TG lounge in BKK, it feels a little like being in a Michelin starred restaurant, very quiet, clean and Germanic. The cigar lounge looks inviting so I might indulge as we move away from breakfast time.

Thank you Lifemiles

The FCT is pretty amazing. It gets my vote as the #1 lounge worldwide.

 

[robcuk]

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

The FCT is pretty amazing. It gets my vote as the #1 lounge worldwide.

Just flicking through Global Travel magazine and according to there 2013 awards it's second behind Etihad - can't comment on that but it must be pretty special!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

Just flicking through Global Travel magazine and according to there 2013 awards it's second behind Etihad - can't comment on that but it must be pretty special!

I've never been to the EY lounge - but just did search... the EY lounge offers complimentary spa treatments (only 15 mins). Also has a cigar bar. Maybe tat's what pips it into first place?

 

[robcuk]

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

I've never been to the EY lounge - but just did search... the EY lounge offers complimentary spa treatments (only 15 mins). Also has a cigar bar. Maybe tat's what pips it into first place?

That's the cigar lounge in FRA - I'll be popping in there soon & the 911 I hired for all of two hours - it's amazing how quickly the 150k limit comes up when your on the autobahn.

 

[robcuk]

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

The bar area, sorry about not rotating the pics. Not sure if I should post the pictures elsewhere though?

 

[anat0l]

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

Enjoy the FCT robcuk. I have to agree it is right up there with one of the world's best F facilities; I personally think it pips the TG F ground experience. It is perhaps not as well known as due to increasing tightening on the part of the Lufthansa group, LH (and LX) F is one of the most difficult F awards to get these days (UA and AV are predominantly the only non-Miles and More methods of doing so). Of course, you could just hand over the money for F......

I've done the FCT twice as a passenger and trip reported on it as many times. The thing that blows me away is the phenomenal single malt selection. It is a shame that I don't really drink hard spirits, and I don't smoke (so no cigars). Can't go past the big bathroom with the bathtub, and the rubber duckies.

 

[robcuk]

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

Enjoy the FCT robcuk. I have to agree it is right up there with one of the world's best F facilities; I personally think it pips the TG F ground experience. It is perhaps not as well known as due to increasing tightening on the part of the Lufthansa group, LH (and LX) F is one of the most difficult F awards to get these days (UA and AV are predominantly the only non-Miles and More methods of doing so). Of course, you could just hand over the money for F......

I've done the FCT twice as a passenger and trip reported on it as many times. The thing that blows me away is the phenomenal single malt selection. It is a shame that I don't really drink hard spirits, and I don't smoke (so no cigars). Can't go past the big bathroom with the bathtub, and the rubber duckies.

Hi anat01 - yes it's hard to keep the smile off my face! The car hire was all over very quickly so I will have had a good 4 hours in the lounge before my flight departs which seems a decent amount of time.

I wish I drank spirits too, although I do intend to try a cigar with a glass of red shortly. The bubbly is very nice, haven't had Bollinger before but it tastes better than Dom P.

I used my LM miles - I did have a flight home in J on CA but when I saw availability on LH I didn't think for very long and cancelled the flight. Luckily the other half had some miles in the account so I just used hers although the miles from the cancellation appeared immediately.

 

[Kangol]

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

I used my LM miles - I did have a flight home in J on CA but when I saw availability on LH I didn't think for very long and cancelled the flight. Luckily the other half had some miles in the account so I just used hers although the miles from the cancellation appeared immediately.

Awesome, I thought that you couldn't use AVLM to book LH F - what was your entire routing, out of interest - given that AV don't book mixed class itineraries?

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

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

Had an issue where LM wasn't allowing me to book BKK - ICN in October. It would show all the flights and when I clicked on continue it would bomb out on me. I could do dummy bookings to other city pairs fine.

Emailed the LM support group and they replied over night. Sent them the passenger details and they made a booking for me. Just had to call the US call centre to pay for the taxes.

Have to say I'm happy with the customer service. Hopefully the AUD holds and I can try an F booking next year

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

Awesome, I thought that you couldn't use AVLM to book LH F - what was your entire routing, out of interest - given that AV don't book mixed class itineraries?

LH F is available within 14 days of departure.

 

[anat0l]

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

Awesome, I thought that you couldn't use AVLM to book LH F - what was your entire routing, out of interest - given that AV don't book mixed class itineraries?

LH F is available within 14 days of departure.

As MEL_Traveller said. You have to live life a little on the edge for this (have "backup" or "cover" flights which you can cancel if you don't find anything). Of course, we'll see how long in the new year we can continue to do this, as the Lufthansa Group seeks to tighten their approach to allowing Star Alliance redemptions on their F products (both LH and LX).

 

[smit0847]

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

LH F is available within 14 days of departure.

You would have to use more miles as you would probably have to book legs separately unless there was F available on all legs.

 

[anat0l]

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

You would have to use more miles as you would probably have to book legs separately unless there was F available on all legs.

Which is an almost universal disadvantage of the AV LM system for F redemptions (which accounts for the predominant redemptions of J itineraries).

Mind, in a sizeable number of cases, the "premium" is worth it for some rare F redemptions! (Or, just pay cash for the short leg).