Avianca LifeMiles – Bookings and Discussion

[twinaisle]

Apparently as explained to me that is only if your a resident and citizen of US . I can cal back in 6 hours and try and speak to supervisor . Any tips anyone ?

I didn't have a problem with it and I've done it around 5 times with the agent over the phone.

 

[blacksultan]

I didn't have a problem with it and I've done it around 5 times with the agent over the phone.

But they lodge a case for escalation and said it take approx 7 days for points and taxes to be refund at which stage the seat may come available for booking.

Is there any point waiting until midnight to speak to supervisor ? Can they waive cancellation charges ?

 

[twinaisle]

But they lodge a case for escalation and said it take approx 7 days for points and taxes to be refund at which stage the seat may come available for booking.

Is there any point waiting until midnight to speak to supervisor ? Can they waive cancellation charges ?

What exactly are you saying to them?

Its always been instant when I inform them I need to cancel within 24 hours from booking

 

[blacksultan]

What exactly are you saying to them?

Its always been instant when I inform them I need to cancel within 24 hours from bookingCoul

Could be something new . I say I need to cancel ticket and get instant refund .2 staff said same . I need to pay $200 and wait 7 biz days . What should I be saying ?

 

[twinaisle]

Could be something new . I say I need to cancel ticket and get instant refund .2 staff said same . I need to pay $200 and wait 7 biz days . What should I be saying ?

And this is within 24 hours of the booking being made?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not sure of twinaisle's experience, but the 24-hour free cancel isn't routinely offered by lifemiles, except where required by law.

That would include itineraries with the USA, but not necessarily if not.

 

[twinaisle]

Not sure of twinaisle's experience, but the 24-hour free cancel isn't routinely offered by lifemiles, except where required by law.

That would include itineraries with the USA, but not necessarily if not.

I've always been able to get it actioned with Asian itineraries but I guess YMMV

 

[blacksultan]

And this is within 24 hours of the booking being made?

Yes . They refused . Said I could lodge a claim for same would take 2 weeks . But the seat was only seat avl - so I had to cancel by paying $200 have it released and rebook .

 

[RB]

Has anyone else received this email? (seems genuine )
We have good news for you! You have been selected to participate in a pilot test for a new benefit. Smiles will soon be offering this opportunity to a select group of members as well.
Starting today, you have the ability to convert your miles from lifemiles to Smiles; the loyalty program & currency of avianca’s sister airline GOL. You will need to have a Smiles account to convert your miles. If you are not yet a member you can join for free.
This benefit facilitates the ability to redeem your miles for flights in GOL’S air partners, in case you don’t find the flights you are looking for with avianca & avianca’s air partners.
For now, this is a temporary benefit. We will evaluate the results in a few months, and if it goes well the benefit may continue being available in the future.

Notes:
An exchange rate, updated monthly, will be used to convert your lifemiles to Smiles. For example, if you need 150,000 Smiles for your redemption, and the applicable exchange rate at the time is 3:1, then you’ll need to convert 50,000 lifemiles.
Once your lifemiles are converted to Smiles, you’ll have 12 months to use them before they expire. In case you don’t use them, you can convert them back to lifemiles before they expire at the exchange rate that applies at that time.

 

[kpc]

Has anyone else received this email? (seems genuine )
We have good news for you! You have been selected to participate in a pilot test for a new benefit. Smiles will soon be offering this opportunity to a select group of members as well.
Starting today, you have the ability to convert your miles from lifemiles to Smiles; the loyalty program & currency of avianca’s sister airline GOL. You will need to have a Smiles account to convert your miles. If you are not yet a member you can join for free.
This benefit facilitates the ability to redeem your miles for flights in GOL’S air partners, in case you don’t find the flights you are looking for with avianca & avianca’s air partners.
For now, this is a temporary benefit. We will evaluate the results in a few months, and if it goes well the benefit may continue being available in the future.

Notes:
An exchange rate, updated monthly, will be used to convert your lifemiles to Smiles. For example, if you need 150,000 Smiles for your redemption, and the applicable exchange rate at the time is 3:1, then you’ll need to convert 50,000 lifemiles.
Once your lifemiles are converted to Smiles, you’ll have 12 months to use them before they expire. In case you don’t use them, you can convert them back to lifemiles before they expire at the exchange rate that applies at that time.
View attachment 396942

I got it too....will need to explore Smiles' partners to see if worthwhile...

 

[burmans]

I got it too....will need to explore Smiles' partners to see if worthwhile...

Seems to have plenty of partners but that floating exchange rate could be interesting.

 

[WilsonM]

Another nail in the coffin for Avianca enthusiasts (and a bit of a bonus for Aeroplan perhaps?)

Ouch: Lifemiles Devalues Award Ticket Costs

The avianca lifemiles program has increased partner award pricing considerably. Here are the details of this devaluation.

onemileatatime.com

There doesn't seem to be any change for Asia - Australia (and vice versa), which is still at 40k/50k for J. But for the US dream of LH F TATL, it's now gone from 87,000 to 130,000.

 

[Mattg]

Another nail in the coffin for Avianca enthusiasts (and a bit of a bonus for Aeroplan perhaps?)

Ouch: Lifemiles Devalues Award Ticket Costs

The avianca lifemiles program has increased partner award pricing considerably. Here are the details of this devaluation.

onemileatatime.com

There doesn't seem to be any change for Asia - Australia (and vice versa), which is still at 40k/50k for J. But for the US dream of LH F TATL, it's now gone from 87,000 to 130,000.

It's very poor form for programs like LifeMiles to change award prices without any notice or warning. Not impressed.

 

[Flashback]

It's very poor form for programs like LifeMiles to change award prices without any notice or warning. Not impressed.

They all seem to be doing it lately, BA did recently on a few areas too.

 

[Cynicor]

It's very poor form for programs like LifeMiles to change award prices without any notice or warning. Not impressed.

Par for the course with LM

 

[r01x]

Looks like ANA award space is unavailable again

ETA: also unavailable on AC it seems, but showing available on UA and VA

 

[BobbyFlyer]

Anyone having issues with TG availability on Lifemiles? I can see availability when I select Thai airlines and flights appear to book for some dates, but when you enter details and try to confirm before payment it errors. Understand ghost flights but these seats are there and bookable on United just not on LM. Has anyone had success calling up or is this just a LM issue at the moment?

 

[blacksultan]

Anyone having issues with TG availability on Lifemiles? I can see availability when I select Thai airlines and flights appear to book for some dates, but when you enter details and try to confirm before payment it errors. Understand ghost flights but these seats are there and bookable on United just not on LM. Has anyone had success calling up or is this just a LM issue at the moment?

Try changing browsers . Calling might help .

 

[Gold Member]

Anyone having issues with TG availability on Lifemiles? I can see availability when I select Thai airlines and flights appear to book for some dates, but when you enter details and try to confirm before payment it errors. Understand ghost flights but these seats are there and bookable on United just not on LM. Has anyone had success calling up or is this just a LM issue at the moment?

This is a known LM issue with TG availability. Not much you can do I’m afraid. It’s super frustrating when you’ve already booked all of your other non-refundable trip elements and this happens.

It might be a it too late now, but my advice is to try and make the LM TG flight booking first before making any other bookings.

 

[boomy]

Anyone having issues with TG availability on Lifemiles? I can see availability when I select Thai airlines and flights appear to book for some dates, but when you enter details and try to confirm before payment it errors. Understand ghost flights but these seats are there and bookable on United just not on LM. Has anyone had success calling up or is this just a LM issue at the moment?

I had the same issue earlier this year. Called LM and they couldn’t help. The advice was to use only Smart Search and not to search specifically by airline.