Lifemiles - ponderings from a veteran

[9171]

Hi there all, just engaging, and got into a thread about Lifemiles changes for 2024.

My credentials are that I have amassed/bought many millions of LM points over the years, and have redeemed these predominantly for J travel, perhaps around 200 or so international legs (you lose count)

I have a few comments/experiences on this, but thought I would attempt a new thread. Rather than just respond to specific questions.

I absolutely LOVE Lifemiles. I used to also love Avianca, but they have gone to absolute shiite... a once great carrier re-invented as a low-cost-carrier post Covid

But Lifemiles itself seems to still be going strong.

Yes, during the Covid fiasco there were many carriers that changed things, etc, but it is sort of bouncing back very nicely now. As I have been a bit slack in actual travel recently, am not up to date with everything, such as previous successes with F on Thai, etc. But my experiences so far this year retain LM as my number one choice of travel departing from Australia. I can consistently get travel in J (as a solo traveller) from east coast Australia to west coast USA, for $3200 AUD return. This year so far have done it via Taipei on EVA and on United direct.

BUT!

You have to spend some time on it. You need to do endless searches via the LM site until you actually understand and get all the glitches and quirks that actually work in your favour. This is tedious - their site and search engine sometimes makes no sense. You have to bash and bash at it millions of times until you understand it. You should also invest in another tool - seats.aero. This assists in pointing in the rough direction of available seats. But learn to use it in conjunction with LM. Nothing is simple.

If it was simple, all the cheap seats would be easily taken. I love LM as it is a bit hard, which both cuts out 99% of those looking with no effort, and rewards those who actually put in the effort.

If someone wants advice how to use it generally, happy to help. But any question as to a specific route or trip, sorry, cannot help. You need to be prepared to put in the hard yards.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I’m in the same boat as you. Bought and spent many millions of lifemiles. It *used* to be a great program. But it’s way too glitchy now.

Aeroplan charges exactly the same price to the USA. And are the same price on a return basis to Asia ex AU as LM.

Aeroplan is far more flexible, has better availability, and more partners. Appreciate LM may still be going strong in some markets, but I don’t understand the preference for LM over Aeroplan?

Just as a current example, when I checked a few weeks ago when Turkish announced their flights to Sydney… LM had zero availability, Aeroplan was offering 2+ seats every day.

 

[r01x]

Frequency and availability of sales is a main one. With LM there is often a decent sale running the vast majority of the year so I can buy and burn as availability occurs. With AP it's much less common, meaning I will have to pre-emptively stock up

 

[aspro2]

As a newbie to Aeroplan, is the *cost* of acquiring miles during bonus offers via purchase similar to LM's promotional prices? (i.e. putting to one side the issue of availability for a moment)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

As a newbie to Aeroplan, is the *cost* of acquiring miles during bonus offers via purchase similar to LM's promotional prices? (i.e. putting to one side the issue of availability for a moment)

Depends on the bonus being offered. At 125% it’s extremely close. At 100% it’s pretty close.

But i take into account the overall benefits and ease of use of the program. Pointless having a fraction of a cent cheaper if you can use it or speak to anyone.

Actually, given the poor USD exchange rate atm, aeroplan might work out cheaper?

 

[drron]

Though I can find many AP redemptions but on the last couple of occasions I searched lifemiles I could find no J awards at all. I do mean zero. And that included several TG routes.