Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[Happy Trails]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

While I mightn't be wringing out the maximum mileage, I'm happy enough with my simple SYD-BKK-SYD TG F tix, as long as they last.

 

[HBA747]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Well, as previously stated, I did indeed received a response overnight. It stated "Our website will show the available spaces designated by our Star Alliance partners to book Award tickets". i.e. if there isn't availability on LM.com then it doesn't exist. However, if there was availability then I would just book it online. Can someone clarify the screenshot method? I'm obviously not doing it quite right. Sorry to be a pain, I know how frustrating it can be going over old ground for those who have been following the thread for a prolonged period.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Well, as previously stated, I did indeed received a response overnight. It stated "Our website will show the available spaces designated by our Star Alliancepartners to book Award tickets". i.e. if there isn't availability on LM.com then it doesn't exist. However, if there was availability then I would just book it online. Can someone clarify the screenshot method? I'm obviously not doing it quite right. Sorry to be a pain, I know how frustrating it can be going over old ground for those who have been following the thread for a prolonged period.

The screenshot method is intended to overcome the glitch (effective december 2014) which prevented almost all flight connections ex Australia from showing on the LM website.

If you wish to take advantage of a flight connection, you need to provide the screenshots of the appropriate sectors, and then a third screenshot showing the through-journey is not available from Australia. LM is correct that availability must show for each sector in isolation.

So for example you want to fly SYD-SIN via BKK. Screenshot 1 is SYD-BKK (showing available flights which you can book). Screenshot 2 is BKK-SIN (again, available flights must show). Screenshot 3 is a search request SYD-SIN which will return a 'no availability'.

You send all three screenshots, plus all the other information they require (which was outlined a page or so ago).

The other award conditions continue to apply - for example mixed class awards and stopovers are not allowed. So your screenshots must comply with those award conditions.

And then wait for the call

 

[HBA747]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks MEL_Traveller. I will try again and see what happens. No doubt LM is similar to all other FF programs. i.e. dependant on staff member on the other end of phone/email

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks MEL_Traveller. I will try again and see what happens. No doubt LM is similar to all other FF programs. i.e. dependant on staff member on the other end of phone/email

Phone won't help because call centre agents seem to use the same screen/booking tool we do. They can only book what they can see.

Email to the appropriate department has, as far as I'm aware, returned a 100% success rate... provided you comply with the award rules.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks MEL_Traveller. I will try again and see what happens. No doubt LM is similar to all other FF programs. i.e. dependant on staff member on the other end of phone/email

As I said, LM won't book you for mixed cabin. But I suppose your approach can be:

"I would like to book all in first class, however BKK-SIN business class is there top cabin. I was wondering if I can book this as first class award with my SYD-BKK leg and I'm happy to pay miles as first class..." something like that, just play dumb.

I don't think it will work but if you have a dumb agent.....

I actually have an existing LM booking in mixed cabin. But it was involuntary. It was originally all in F NRT-BKK-SYD, then the NRT-BKK leg got downgraded to 787 so no more first class. LM was happy to reissue the ticket with mixed cabin.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

As I said, LM won't book you for mixed cabin. But I suppose your approach can be:

"I would like to book all in first class, however BKK-SIN business class is there top cabin. I was wondering if I can book this as first class award with my SYD-BKK leg and I'm happy to pay miles as first class..." something like that, just play dumb.

I don't think it will work but if you have a dumb agent.....

I actually have an existing LM booking in mixed cabin. But it was involuntary. It was originally all in F NRT-BKK-SYD, then the NRT-BKK leg got downgraded to 787 so no more first class. LM was happy to reissue the ticket with mixed cabin.

I guess three things can happen:

• they allow mixed cabin
• they disallow it as per the rules
• they decide too many people are trying to push the rules, it's creating too much work, and they withdraw the ability to send screenshots all together.

I hope we don't go down the path of option 3

 

[HBA747]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

I hope we don't go down the path of option 3

Agreed! Apologies for bringing more attention to the screenshot approach

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Agreed! Apologies for bringing more attention to the screenshot approach

The screenshot method is fine! Nothing wrong with that.

My only concern is that people asking for things outside the rules... stopovers, mixed class etc.. it creates extra work for the support team because they have to read the emails and write back outlining why a request is not allowed (ie it's not in the rules). Wash rinse repeat for the next email.

Screenshots that are within the rules are fairly 'straightforward'. They create the booking then ring you to take payment. Job done.

 

[hummel]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

With the screenshot method are they allowing 8+ hr transits?

Found MEL-BKK-SGN using United engine and can find them on LM but it's at 10hr transit.

Normally don't bother with LM anymore but this could work as need to go next week.

 

[aaronjames000]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

With the screenshot method are they allowing 8+ hr transits?

Found MEL-BKK-SGN using United engine and can find them on LM but it's at 10hr transit.

Normally don't bother with LM anymore but this could work as need to go next week.

You could be lucky....

I recently ticketed an 8:15 transit on my flight home NRT-BKK-BNE.... perhaps they let me just slide through...

 

[slodki]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Hey Guys,

Been reading lots on Avianca after I pulled the trigger with a points purchase the other day. My gut feel was that I would be able to ticket the award without having done a great deal of research.

I'm looking to book a one way MEL-BKK-FRA-KRK next year. The search engine doesn't show the flights for MEL-KRK, but each sector is available and meets the 8hr transit rules. I'm assuming I can use the screenshot method for the above?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Hey Guys,

Been reading lots on Avianca after I pulled the trigger with a points purchase the other day. My gut feel was that I would be able to ticket the award without having done a great deal of research.

I'm looking to book a one way MEL-BKK-FRA-KRK next year. The search engine doesn't show the flights for MEL-KRK, but each sector is available and meets the 8hr transit rules. I'm assuming I can use the screenshot method for the above?

that should be ok. Screenshot of MEL-BKK, followed by BKK-KRK.

As the glitch primarily affects flights from Australia, not sure how you'd go if BKK-KRK wasn't showing in its own right.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Hey Guys,

Been reading lots on Avianca after I pulled the trigger with a points purchase the other day. My gut feel was that I would be able to ticket the award without having done a great deal of research.

I'm looking to book a one way MEL-BKK-FRA-KRK next year. The search engine doesn't show the flights for MEL-KRK, but each sector is available and meets the 8hr transit rules. I'm assuming I can use the screenshot method for the above?

I don't see why not. If all within their routing rule, they should be able to book it for you.

When I sent in the screenshot, I always specify that "there is no mixed cabin and transit time within 8 hours".

 

[slodki]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks for the advice guys.

Would I be able to send them screen shots of sector by sector, to build the itinerary I want?

For Eg: If I search BKK-KRK the website shows a routing, which usually is longer and involves more sectors. I can find something shorter with less flying. Might have to give it a try and see how it goes.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Thanks for the advice guys.

Would I be able to send them screen shots of sector by sector, to build the itinerary I want?

For Eg: If I search BKK-KRK the website shows a routing, which usually is longer and involves more sectors. I can find something shorter with less flying. Might have to give it a try and see how it goes.

the screenshot method is supposed to allow ticketing to overcome the glitch preventing connections ex Australia.

the other rules around award ticketing continue to apply... and it hasn't been advertised as a method to allow us to build our own unique itineraries... although I say that reiterating my concerns outlined in post #4620.

 

[Nizar]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Guys what's TG availability like to LAX ?
Or what's the other best option via Asia availability like ? Preferably in F ?

Cheers

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Guys what's TG availability like to LAX ?
Or what's the other best option via Asia availability like ? Preferably in F ?

Cheers

A good way of tracking availability is with the United tool. It'll give you a whole set of options by day, and also has a month-at-a-glance calendar.

The UA tool may not show the whole range of options out of Australia - but I know before the glitch they were allowing travel via SIN on SQ. So you might get away with BKK.

Otherwise via China/Sth Korea/Taiwan Province should be ok... you may need to break it down by sector even on the UA tool.

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Guys what's TG availability like to LAX ?
Or what's the other best option via Asia availability like ? Preferably in F ?

Cheers

3 flights on an angled-flat bed to get to the US? No thanks.

Try AC or CA.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

3 flights on an angled-flat bed to get to the US? No thanks.

Try AC or CA.

Or Asiana. The availability is wide open. Even though they downgraded SYD-ICN back to angled slider, there is a slight possibility they will bring QS flat seat back next year.