Avianca LifeMiles devaluation 15th May

[coolkid101]

just received email from LifeMiles. I suppose most of us have had an enjoyable time thus far with LM and this change is not thoroughly unexpected. Increases for the bookings i see most often in our successful bookings thread - Aus to Eur, N Asia and S Asia.
Interesting that Aus to N Asia is still cheaper than S Asia (in F and Y, same in J)

I'm thinking of having a closer look at UA now, especially with the new $200 cancellation fees with LM

https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/tra/p...m=email&utm_source=151123-LM-Noticias/ofertas

 

[PatMcrotch]

Yeah time to say goodbye to LM. Was good while it lasted.

 

[Happy Trails]

If this means that flights into Aus are unchanged, then I can live with it.

2 The changes in redemption mileage are unidirectional (from the region others)

https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/tra/pro/proofenot.aspx?d=ttn343&utm_campaign=20170418-lm-starallianceesp&utm_medium=email&utm_source=151123-lm-noticias%2fofertas

 

[Cynicor]

They are retune prices, so affect either direction.

 

[Happy Trails]

They are retune prices, so affect either direction.

Well, I'm not hanging my hat on it, but the published info so far seems quite specific in mentioning only travel 'from' Oceania.
Time will tell I suppose.

 

[Cynicor]

I think it's a translational thing. If you are correct, it would mean AU- N. Asia would become 60k and vv would be 40k.

"[h=4]To North Asia[/h]

	Cabin	Before May 15th, 2017​	Miles starting May 15th, 2017​
	Economic	40,000​	50,000​
	Business	80,000​	100,000​
	First	100,000​	125,000"​

Well, I'm not hanging my hat on it, but the published info so far seems quite specific in mentioning only travel 'from' Oceania.
Time will tell I suppose.

 

[Happy Trails]

I think it's a translational thing. If you are correct, it would mean AU- N. Asia would become 60k and vv would be 40k.

"[h=4]To North Asia[/h]

	Cabin	Before May 15th, 2017​	Miles starting May 15th, 2017​
	Economic	40,000​	50,000​
	Business	80,000​	100,000​
	First	100,000​	125,000"​

That's what I'm hoping for (most likely against hope), but why else would they say the changes are "unidirectional"?
But having said that, who knows what's meant by "(from the region others)".

 

[Cynicor]

The award chart only shows 1 direction (it's a grid that is blank top left to bottom left and bottom right), they don't publish rates for each direction. Pretty sure it's just lost in translation.

Under your (accurate, I agree) reading of it, the new award chart would be the same but with a weird line of numbers along the bottom middle. This seems very very unlikely. I'd put at least 2-3k on it if you would like a wager?

 

[Happy Trails]

I'd put at least 2-3k on it if you would like a wager?

Thanks, but no thanks, I'm probably just clutching at straws.

 

[bwhouse]

I'm thinking of having a closer look at UA now, especially with the new $200 cancellation fees with LM

I have used Lifemile quite a few times now and they definitely had a sweet spot from Aus to Japan, interestingly Lifemiles is still significantly better than UA in some situations, based on the most recent points sales.

[FONT=&amp]Most Recent United Sale: 2.17c per mile
Most Recent Lifemiles Sale: 1.375c per mile (using additional bonus from OMAAT)
[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Using those rates, I thought it would be interesting to map out a comparison of not only the miles for a few key locations from Australia but also put the approximate cost next to them based on the cents per mile listed above.
[/FONT]

One-Way Award Rates
Program	Japan	Bangkok	China	Hong Kong
Lifemiles - First	62,500 ~$859	75,000 ~$1,031	62,500 ~$859	62,500 ~$859
MileagePlus - First	60,000 ~$1,302	40,000 ~$868	50,000 ~$1,085	40,000 ~$868
Lifemiles - Business	50,000 ~$687	50,000 ~$687	50,000 ~$687	50,000 ~$687
MileagePlus - Business	40,000 ~$868	30,000 ~$651	40,000 ~$868	30,000 ~$651

[FONT=&amp]Note: All aprocimate prices are in USD

You can read the full write-up I did for my own interest on my blog if you want.[/FONT]

 

[I love to travel]

I have used Lifemile quite a few times now and they definitely had a sweet spot from Aus to Japan, interestingly Lifemiles is still significantly better than UA in some situations, based on the most recent points sales.

[FONT=&amp]Most Recent United Sale: 2.17c per mile
Most Recent Lifemiles Sale: 1.375c per mile (using additional bonus from OMAAT)
[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Using those rates, I thought it would be interesting to map out a comparison of not only the miles for a few key locations from Australia but also put the approximate cost next to them based on the cents per mile listed above.
[/FONT]

One-Way Award Rates
Program	Japan	Bangkok	China	Hong Kong
Lifemiles - First	62,500 ~$859	75,000 ~$1,031	62,500 ~$859	62,500 ~$859
MileagePlus - First	60,000 ~$1,302	40,000 ~$868	50,000 ~$1,085	40,000 ~$868
Lifemiles - Business	50,000 ~$687	50,000 ~$687	50,000 ~$687	50,000 ~$687
MileagePlus - Business	40,000 ~$868	30,000 ~$651	40,000 ~$868	30,000 ~$651

[FONT=&amp]Note: All aprocimate prices are in USD

You can read the full write-up I did for my own interest on my blog if you want.[/FONT]

Yes if you use a LM sale that is more than 100% bonus it is still better value than AA United and Alaska

 

[CJEMNMAC]

I have used Lifemile quite a few times now and they definitely had a sweet spot from Aus to Japan, interestingly Lifemiles is still significantly better than UA in some situations, based on the most recent points sales.

[FONT=&amp]Most Recent United Sale: 2.17c per mile
Most Recent Lifemiles Sale: 1.375c per mile (using additional bonus from OMAAT)
[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Using those rates, I thought it would be interesting to map out a comparison of not only the miles for a few key locations from Australia but also put the approximate cost next to them based on the cents per mile listed above.
[/FONT]

One-Way Award Rates
Program	Japan	Bangkok	China	Hong Kong
Lifemiles - First	62,500 ~$859	75,000 ~$1,031	62,500 ~$859	62,500 ~$859
MileagePlus - First	60,000 ~$1,302	40,000 ~$868	50,000 ~$1,085	40,000 ~$868
Lifemiles - Business	50,000 ~$687	50,000 ~$687	50,000 ~$687	50,000 ~$687
MileagePlus - Business	40,000 ~$868	30,000 ~$651	40,000 ~$868	30,000 ~$651

[FONT=&amp]Note: All aprocimate prices are in USD

You can read the full write-up I did for my own interest on my blog if you want.[/FONT]

Thanks bwhouse..

Good to look at a comparison table..If UA did a 80% or 100% bonus ( I think last year was 100% ) somewhere like BKK becomes very attractive...



Sorry to be a spell checker , but you may wish to update your blog with... "approximate" instead of aprocimate

 

[bwhouse]

Thanks bwhouse..

Good to look at a comparison table..If UA did a 80% or 100% bonus ( I think last year was 100% ) somewhere like BKK becomes very attractive...

Absolutley, although I don't recall UA doing a 100% bonus, maybe I missed it.

Sorry to be a spell checker , but you may wish to update your blog with... "approximate" instead of aprocimate

Good catch, I really shouldn't write things late at night

 

[CJEMNMAC]

Absolutley, although I don't recall UA doing a 100% bonus, maybe I missed it.

Here is the link

https://thepointsguy.com/2016/06/up-to-100-percent-bonus-buy-united-miles/

 

[bwhouse]

Here is the link

https://thepointsguy.com/2016/06/up-to-100-percent-bonus-buy-united-miles/

Thanks. At 1.88c per mile United is pretty good value. Interestingly, I think the split between which region is cheaper UA vs Lifemiles stays pretty much the same. But the UA redemptions get cheaper and certainly easier to actually redeem

 

[MEL_Traveller]

UA 100% is key. Easy availability + interesting routing options + Air China available.

 

[N860CR]

Thanks bwhouse..

Good to look at a comparison table..If UA did a 80% or 100% bonus ( I think last year was 100% ) somewhere like BKK becomes very attractive...



Sorry to be a spell checker , but you may wish to update your blog with... "approximate" instead of aprocimate

Absolutley, although I don't recall UA doing a 100% bonus, maybe I missed it.



Good catch, I really shouldn't write things late at night

I did one ages ago. Was great value.

SYD-BKK(F)-RGN(J)-BKK(J)-VTE(J)-BKK(J)-SYD(F)

Cost was only about $2000AU.

Great way to tick off two new SE Asian destinations

 

[bwhouse]

UA 100% is key. Easy availability + interesting routing options + Air China available.

It is still quite a bit more expensive for Japan, but all other SE Asian destinations I agree.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

UA 100% is key. Easy availability + interesting routing options + Air China available.

Agree here.... The ease of booking with availability is so good...

 

[BacchusMarsh]

If this means that flights into Aus are unchanged, then I can live with it.

2 The changes in redemption mileage are unidirectional (from the region others)

https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/tra/pro/proofenot.aspx?d=ttn343&utm_campaign=20170418-lm-starallianceesp&utm_medium=email&utm_source=151123-lm-noticias%2fofertas

Showing that way at the moment. For example, (in J) SYD-HND is 50,000, HND-SYD is 40,000.

Better still, HND-SYD-HND is 80,000.

Not a whole lot of reason to book SYD-HND-SYD (100,000) as a return now.