Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Thx for your quick answer/advice as always.

If I opt for J instead of F, are there other options?

still only TG J, or possibly, with screenshots, maybe SQ J... but I wouldn't count on the Singapore airlines. There is supposed to be a restriction on sales... no flights available unless 14 before travel. Now some have been successful outside that period... but I wouldn't buy miles counting on it.

TG business class is best avoided on the 747 or in fact any aircraft out of Australia except the 787. And for business or first, the infant still has to pay 10% of the full published fare.

 

[noviceFF]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Thank you.

If I flew with TG and wanted to go onto Koh Samui, would it be the same points and does that involve this "screenshot" method or can I book it online via LM?

still only TG J, or possibly, with screenshots, maybe SQ J... but I wouldn't count on the Singapore airlines. There is supposed to be a restriction on sales... no flights available unless 14 before travel. Now some have been successful outside that period... but I wouldn't buy miles counting on it.

TG business class is best avoided on the 747 or in fact any aircraft out of Australia except the 787. And for business or first, the infant still has to pay 10% of the full published fare.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Thank you.

If I flew with TG and wanted to go onto Koh Samui, would it be the same points and does that involve this "screenshot" method or can I book it online via LM?

Easy to test with a dummy booking, but i suspect it will be a screenshot method.

With only two flights a day between BKK and Kon Samui I'm not sure how you'd go for award seating - there'll be connecting pax from international flights, and you'd need to make sure the connection from Australia is under 8 hours.

Looking at the United booking tool, there are NO business class redemtption seats at all between BKK-USM in business class for the next few months (which is as far as the booking engine allows). Plenty of economy, but that's all.

And LM won't allow mixed class redemptions.

 

[noviceFF]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Always helpful. Thanks for your advice.

Easy to test with a dummy booking, but i suspect it will be a screenshot method.

With only two flights a day between BKK and Kon Samui I'm not sure how you'd go for award seating - there'll be connecting pax from international flights, and you'd need to make sure the connection from Australia is under 8 hours.

Looking at the United booking tool, there are NO business class redemtption seats at all between BKK-USM in business class for the next few months (which is as far as the booking engine allows). Plenty of economy, but that's all.

And LM won't allow mixed class redemptions.

 

[Nizar]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Easy to test with a dummy booking, but i suspect it will be a screenshot method.

With only two flights a day between BKK and Kon Samui I'm not sure how you'd go for award seating - there'll be connecting pax from international flights, and you'd need to make sure the connection from Australia is under 8 hours.

Looking at the United booking tool, there are NO business class redemtption seats at all between BKK-USM in business class for the next few months (which is as far as the booking engine allows). Plenty of economy, but that's all.

And LM won't allow mixed class redemptions.

I'm also looking to go to USM and have found out that the above is correct.

Furthermore, Y award seats on BKK-USM seem to be always unavailable or blocked and there are no J seats offered on this route even as a revenue fare so flight might be in an all Y configuration.

The way to go might be to buy the MEL/SYD-BKK components in J/F then just buy a revenue fare in Y for the BKK-USM legs.

I don't think TG should have any problems interlining luggage all the way through even if on separate tickets (award ticket issued by taca/LM and a TG revenue fare) as all the flights will be on their metal ?

Just show them the revenue fare BKK-USM segment when checking in at MEL/SYD ?

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I'm also looking to go to USM and have found out that the above is correct.

Furthermore, Y award seats on BKK-USM seem to be always unavailable or blocked and there are no J seats offered on this route even as a revenue fare so flight might be in an all Y configuration.

The way to go might be to buy the MEL/SYD-BKK components in J/F then just buy a revenue fare in Y for the BKK-USM legs.

I don't think TG should have any problems interlining luggage all the way through even if on separate tickets (award ticket issued by taca/LM and a TG revenue fare) as all the flights will be on their metal ?

Just show them the revenue fare BKK-USM segment when checking in at MEL/SYD ?

I don't know about TG, but we've done it with SQ before. Check the baggage through is not the issue but misconnection can be an issue. For 2 PNR tickets, if the incoming flight is delayed for whatever reason and you missed the flight, then the second flight is considered as no show, even if it was the airline's fault with the delay.

 

[Nizar]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I don't know about TG, but we've done it with SQ before. Check the baggage through is not the issue but misconnection can be an issue. For 2 PNR tickets, if the incoming flight is delayed for whatever reason and you missed the flight, then the second flight is considered as no show, even if it was the airline's fault with the delay.

I am aware of the risks but what else would you suggest ?

Is there anyway to get LM to add the BKK-USM legs as a revenue fare so it can be on the same PNR ?

Should we instead buy the BKK-USM tickets on the ground after we land from the airport TG ticket office or even from Bangkok Airways who have about 30 flights per day ?
How much more expensive is this likely to be compared to buying online six months out ?

Happy to hear any suggestions.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

... and there are no J seats offered on this route even as a revenue fare so flight might be in an all Y configuration.

The way to go might be to buy the MEL/SYD-BKK components in J/F then just buy a revenue fare in Y for the BKK-USM legs.

I don't think TG should have any problems interlining luggage all the way through even if on separate tickets (award ticket issued by taca/LM and a TG revenue fare) as all the flights will be on their metal ?

Just show them the revenue fare BKK-USM segment when checking in at MEL/SYD ?

There are revenue fares available BKK-USM on TG. THB7100 each way - but looking at various sample dates - close in and far out, loadings are pretty heavy. The morning flight to USM is often heavily sold in business, as is the evening flight back from USM to BKK. I suspect there are connecting pax off european services. That might explain why flights aren't showing.

Separate tickets TG-TG shouldn't be a problem to through check bags.

 

[Nizar]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

There are revenue fares available BKK-USM on TG. THB7100 each way - but looking at various sample dates - close in and far out, loadings are pretty heavy. The morning flight to USM is often heavily sold in business, as is the evening flight back from USM to BKK. I suspect there are connecting pax off european services. That might explain why flights aren't showing.

Separate tickets TG-TG shouldn't be a problem to through check bags.

Actually I stand corrected. There actually are J flights BKK-USM flights. Because the price is 7100 compared to 5180 in Y I thought that it was a flexible ticket or something like that. But turns out that its J.

The morning J flight to USM departs about 2 hours after the flight from MEL lands. That's pretty tight. But I suppose the only way I'll miss the connection is probably if the flight departs late from MEL ?

So given its a flexi ticket I suppose we can call the international BKK office of TG and change our ticket to the evening flight if we can see the flight is departing MEL more than say an hour late ?

But that would leave a very long transit and would be unfortunate if we had a favourable tailwind and it turned out we could have made the morning flight !

Is the J flexi ticket for 7100 THB flexible enough to allow for a same day or day before change at no cost ?

Or is it better if we wait until we land and if its clear we will not make the USM flight (its departing in 30mins for example) will the TG office be able to get us on the afternoon departure for just a reissue fee ?

Seems to be a lot of potential mucking around lol.

I had a read of the fare rules but couldn't figure it out. I suppose according to the below we could be charged a re-issue fee and a fare difference if moving to a higher level of J fare ? Thoughts ?

ROYAL SILK FULL FLEX
Travel Class	Royal Silk Class (Business)
Eligibility	These fares apply with capacity limitations determined by the Carrier best judgement
Flight Restriction	Valid on TG operating flight only
Ticket Validity	1 year
Reservation Change
- Flight/Date change :	✔ within ticket validity
Change to higher fares, ticket must be reissued and pay additional fare
- Reroute :	✔
- Name Change /Name Spelling Correction :	✔ with fee THB500 (Only for the totally unused ticket)
Cancellation / Refund
- Totally unused ticket :	✔ with fee THB 500
- Partially used ticket :	✔
Child / Infant Discount	Child (2-11 years) gets discount 25% of adult fare / Infant without seat gets discount 90% of adult fare
Baggage Allowance	✔ 40 kg. subjects to THAI Airways baggage policy for TG flights
Royal Orchid Plus Miles	✔ Mileage accrual with Royal Orchid Plus terms and conditions applied
For more detail, please refer to "Fare Condition" which located under review page / purchase page during the booking process.
Enquiries	Please contact THAI Call Center +662 356-1111
Remarks : Any reservation change, please contact THAI office. Applicable fare conditions are to be complied with.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I am aware of the risks but what else would you suggest ?

Is there anyway to get LM to add the BKK-USM legs as a revenue fare so it can be on the same PNR ?

Should we instead buy the BKK-USM tickets on the ground after we land from the airport TG ticket office or even from Bangkok Airways who have about 30 flights per day ?
How much more expensive is this likely to be compared to buying online six months out ?

Happy to hear any suggestions.

You cannot add a revenue fare to an award ticket.

Looking at Bangkok Airways fares for tomorrow, the chreapest price of THB3300 (plus 100 tax) is available on 6 out of the 16 flights. Otherwise you have to go up to the next level which is THB4190 (plus 100 tax).

Looking in two months, the THB3300 is the same, but available every flight.

The advantage of having your USM ticket in advance should be that TG can interline your bags and you'd collect them in USM.

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

BKK-USM is 45min flight (just did that yesterday). I see no reason to purchase J ticket for such a short route, instead I recommend getting cheap Y ticket with PG, which also gets lounge access in BKK plus reasonable legroom and hot meal onboard.

 

[Nizar]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

You cannot add a revenue fare to an award ticket.

Looking at Bangkok Airways fares for tomorrow, the chreapest price of THB3300 (plus 100 tax) is available on 6 out of the 16 flights. Otherwise you have to go up to the next level which is THB4190 (plus 100 tax).

Looking in two months, the THB3300 is the same, but available every flight.

The advantage of having your USM ticket in advance should be that TG can interline your bags and you'd collect them in USM.

Yeah true I will likely go down this route.
But if I misconnect, then bad luck ?
If I am flying TG J for the second leg and my bags are interlined through to my final destination USM will TG likely assist when I land at BKK or unlikely ?
Having not been to BKK before, is a 2 hour layover tight given TG-TG with no need to pick up luggage and flying J ?

I suppose it's still an international to domestic connection ? Are the domestic gates far from the international arrivals hall ?
My boarding pass probably can't be issued in MEL as on separate PNRs but the transfer desk at BKK should be able to help ?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Actually I stand corrected. There actually are J flights BKK-USM flights. Because the price is 7100 compared to 5180 in Y I thought that it was a flexible ticket or something like that. But turns out that its J.

The morning J flight to USM departs about 2 hours after the flight from MEL lands. That's pretty tight. But I suppose the only way I'll miss the connection is probably if the flight departs late from MEL ?

So given its a flexi ticket I suppose we can call the international BKK office of TG and change our ticket to the evening flight if we can see the flight is departing MEL more than say an hour late ?

But that would leave a very long transit and would be unfortunate if we had a favourable tailwind and it turned out we could have made the morning flight !

Is the J flexi ticket for 7100 THB flexible enough to allow for a same day or day before change at no cost ?

Or is it better if we wait until we land and if its clear we will not make the USM flight (its departing in 30mins for example) will the TG office be able to get us on the afternoon departure for just a reissue fee ?

Seems to be a lot of potential mucking around lol.

I had a read of the fare rules but couldn't figure it out. I suppose according to the below we could be charged a re-issue fee and a fare difference if moving to a higher level of J fare ? Thoughts ?

That's the full J price. So shouldn't be a fare difference.

Changes to date also FOC provided within validity of ticket (which is one year):

Penalties for adult(s)

1 - psgr p1 adt rules display
fare component 1 adt bkkusm tg jowth05
fcl: jowth05 trf: 918 rule: th01 bk: j
ptc: adt-adult ftc: br -business class restricted
pe.penalties
for jowth05 type fares


note -
totally unused ticket.
- name change/correction is permitted with fee
thb500 for
- open ticket/open date are not allowed.
---
change flight/date/routing/rbd must be made before
ticket expiration.
---
1.flight/date change is permitted within ticket
validity - revalidate apply /same rbd/
>
2.changing date on outbound sector from original
booking to earlier departure must contact tg
office for ticket reissuance without fee /same
rbd/.
3.reroute is permitted - ticket must be reissued
collect additional fare /if any/ without fee.
4.for y/class change to higher fares -c/class-
ticket must be reissued collect additional
fare without fee.
--------------------------------------------------
incase of no. 2-4 and all reissuance concern
ticket reissuance can be made in the same
time /restriction apply same as
original ticket/.
--------------------------------------------------
refund fee thb 500 for totally unused ticket.
---
refund after departure will be the balance of
ticket used at one-way fare.

MCT BKK for TG-TG (USM) is 55 minutes. So 2 hours should be fine. No need to collect bags in BKK.

If you decide to go for the PG connection, your bags can still be through checked, but you'll probably have to collect your boarding pass from the transfer desk on arrival as they'll want to sight your credit card (if you purchase directly on the PG wbesite).

BTW - the difference between economy and business being so small ($60-80) is normal for TG domestic... when comparing full Y fares and full J fares. Only against the discount Y does the difference start to look more like we are used to in Australia.

 

[Nizar]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

BKK-USM is 45min flight (just did that yesterday). I see no reason to purchase J ticket for such a short route, instead I recommend getting cheap Y ticket with PG, which also gets lounge access in BKK plus reasonable legroom and hot meal onboard.

More interested in the J flight not due to comfort but rather flexibility but looking at it again on the TG website even the Y is full flex. Does J full flex give added flexibility over Y full flex ?

Wow so Y tickets with PG get lounge access ? Does flying Y in any other airline in the world get lounge access if no status lol this is the first I've heard of such a phenomenon or do you mean I get lounge access because I just arrived from TG J like an arrivals lounge etc ?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

More interested in the J flight not due to comfort but rather flexibility but looking at it again on the TG website even the Y is full flex. Does J full flex give added flexibility over Y full flex ?

Wow so Y tickets with PG get lounge access ? Does flying Y in any other airline in the world get lounge access if no status lol this is the first I've heard of such a phenomenon or do you mean I get lounge access because I just arrived from TG J like an arrivals lounge etc ?

PG offers a very basic lounge for all pax in economy (no status needed). It's a nice benefit, but it's not a true lounge as we might think of it - it's kind of tea/coffee/juice and some snacks (ok... so pretty much same same as the TG international business lounges at BKK )

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Yeah true I will likely go down this route.
But if I misconnect, then bad luck ?
If I am flying TG J for the second leg and my bags are interlined through to my final destination USM will TG likely assist when I land at BKK or unlikely ?
Having not been to BKK before, is a 2 hour layover tight given TG-TG with no need to pick up luggage and flying J ?

I suppose it's still an international to domestic connection ? Are the domestic gates far from the international arrivals hall ?
My boarding pass probably can't be issued in MEL as on separate PNRs but the transfer desk at BKK should be able to help ?

TG-TG they can issue the boarding pass in Australia. TG-PG they can issue you the boarding pass provided you haven't booked directly on the PG website (as PG will want to sight the card).

You will head straight from your international arrival, through immigration, and be in the domestic departures hall. Time? Well it can be a very long walk in BKK, but you know, 20-30 minutes... plus immigration time.

you'd complete customs in USM

 

[Flashback]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

PG offers a very basic lounge for all pax in economy (no status needed). It's a nice benefit, but it's not a true lounge as we might think of it - it's kind of tea/coffee/juice and some snacks (ok... so pretty much same same as the TG international business lounges at BKK )

Sounds like most European lounges

In any case - if you meet MCT, even though split over 2 PNR's this is where travel insurance would step in surely if needed and they don't accommodate you on the next flight? YMMV.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Sounds like most European lounges

In any case - if you meet MCT, even though split over 2 PNR's this is where travel insurance would step in surely if needed and they don't accommodate you on the next flight? YMMV.

Not necessarily. You'd need to read the PDS, but most insurances will cover you for delays to your scheduled transport or trip after 6 hours. So they may cover a hotel/meals, but it would be up to the policy. They won't cover a replacement flight unless for a special event.

There are a couple of policies that will cover missed connections (other than connections for 'special events'), however they stipulate that to be covered for a replacement flight, the passenger needs to be at the airport/connecting point at the earliest check-in time stipulated by the airline for that connecting flight. This would mean 2-3 hours before flight departure, not MCT.

 

[N860CR]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

In the experience of others, how long have you usually waited for your purchase of miles to show in your account?
I had money deducted on Tuesday but still no miles added to my account. TIA.

I had the same thing happen also on Tuesday night. Not sure if there was a system fault or something... I called about 3 hours after making the booking (so about 9am in Columbia) and it was fixed over the phone. Took about half an hour... But the third person I spoke to seemed fairly switched on and managed to fix it easily enough.

 

[Nizar]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Guys just as a further query to my questions last night..

Would it be possible/help my chances if I call the TG office in Sydney before I travel so they can "link" the separate PNRs so that the person checking us in at MEL will already know that our final destination is USM ?

Can they refuse to interline to USM ?

Because I just realised that the BKK-USM flight departs at 07:25 and the flight from MEL is scheduled to arrive at 05:40. I thought it was 2 hours now it seem that it's 1h 45m, which doesn't leave much room for delays.