Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Just to reconfirm

The email for tech support is still [email protected] ?

Don't want to hold my breath for too long if there is a better email to use.

Thanks

that's the one. But I don't know if they work 24/7 (I know they don't work Christmas day, so I don't know about weekends?)

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Not looking too good at this stage. LM hasn't called yet and it's reaching the final countdown.

Called yesterday, was told the "specialized department" would call back in a couple of hours. Nothing.

Wrote te email yesterday afternoon, no reply.

Tried to call this morning, Skype dropped after I told the agent the reservation number. Tried to call again, can't get through anymore.

Agree, the discount mightn't be worth it. I'm starting to get a bit paranoid by keep on checking my phone to make sure I have no missed calls. 3 nights of poor quality sleep.

LM is still best used for point to point booking, or whatever it shows online. Don't deal with their customer service!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Not looking too good at this stage. LM hasn't called yet and it's reaching the final countdown.

Called yesterday, was told the "specialized department" would call back in a couple of hours. Nothing.

Wrote te email yesterday afternoon, no reply.

Tried to call this morning, Skype dropped after I told the agent the reservation number. Tried to call again, can't get through anymore.

Agree, the discount mightn't be worth it. I'm starting to get a bit paranoid by keep on checking my phone to make sure I have no missed calls. 3 nights of poor quality sleep.

LM is still best used for point to point booking, or whatever it shows online. Don't deal with their customer service!

Calling the general reservations line doesn't seem to yield results... they can't put you through to the department that takes payment.

When (if) they call, it will likely be a conference call between you, the payment person, and a translator. The payment team will ask for CC information and whatever else they need which is then translated and relayed. The ticket should then come through pretty quickly if it is going to come. (If there is a problem with your CC not going through (and I rang my bank before the transaction), you need to email them again, and they'll call again).

It's still worth it price wise, you just need to manage your expectations that this won't always be stress free.

 

[RB]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Not looking too good at this stage. LM hasn't called yet and it's reaching the final countdown.

Called yesterday, was told the "specialized department" would call back in a couple of hours. Nothing.

Wrote te email yesterday afternoon, no reply.

Tried to call this morning, Skype dropped after I told the agent the reservation number. Tried to call again, can't get through anymore.

Agree, the discount mightn't be worth it. I'm starting to get a bit paranoid by keep on checking my phone to make sure I have no missed calls. 3 nights of poor quality sleep.

LM is still best used for point to point booking, or whatever it shows online. Don't deal with their customer service!

I wrote the following in Sept 2013 before quite a few changes. I think it is still relevant and people need to remember all schemes have their limitations

"I thought a post by "wheresmybaga" from Melb on FT was pretty spot on as an observation of LifeMiles
"There's actually not that much to comprehend.
And of course the simplest of all rules to remember is that if the website doesn't show it, you're not booking it! There are very few variables to play with on the website...force an airline choice, (try to) force a departure time...that's it. Let's forget about trick cities.
Confusion arises mainly because a lot of people have an idea that LM should somehow allow all the best bits of other FFPs they have membership of. Rather than simply accepting LM for what it is and what it offers there is this constant angst and hand wringing about what's not possible! "

 

[legroom]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

That's why I am holding onto my confirmed F bookings (with e-ticket numbers) while waiting for the (magical) return call to stitch up the promised OTHERS to ASIA award as a miles-saving ploy.

One feet in each camp !

Great if it works (saves lots of miles) but hell no, it's still far better than paying cash upfront.

Who knows, one may strike it lucky someday !

Not looking too good at this stage. LM hasn't called yet and it's reaching the final countdown.

Called yesterday, was told the "specialized department" would call back in a couple of hours. Nothing.

Wrote te email yesterday afternoon, no reply.

Tried to call this morning, Skype dropped after I told the agent the reservation number. Tried to call again, can't get through anymore.

Agree, the discount mightn't be worth it. I'm starting to get a bit paranoid by keep on checking my phone to make sure I have no missed calls. 3 nights of poor quality sleep.

LM is still best used for point to point booking, or whatever it shows online. Don't deal with their customer service!

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

I wrote the following in Sept 2013 before quite a few changes. I think it is still relevant and people need to remember all schemes have their limitations

"I thought a post by "wheresmybaga" from Melb on FT was pretty spot on as an observation of LifeMiles
"There's actually not that much to comprehend.
And of course the simplest of all rules to remember is that if the website doesn't show it, you're not booking it! There are very few variables to play with on the website...force an airline choice, (try to) force a departure time...that's it. Let's forget about trick cities.
Confusion arises mainly because a lot of people have an idea that LM should somehow allow all the best bits of other FFPs they have membership of. Rather than simply accepting LM for what it is and what it offers there is this constant angst and hand wringing about what's not possible! "

I can't agree with you more. In fact, this is what I would warn people before they commit themselves to purchase LM. If you can't see it online, you can't book it. That's it!

The issue we are facing here is that, these bookings that we are trying to get LM to book manually were available online before. It was simple IT glitch that made it not available online. LM acknowledge the issue and is apparently working on it, and that is why they are willing to book it manually. In the mean time, we just have to put up with the inconvenience and stress.

I understand that this is what happens in mileage game. The rules change and to stock pile miles is a risk we take. I actually already had back up plan made before I contacted LM with the screenshots. If this doesn't work out, my back up plan is just to fly business class on OZ NRT-ICN-SYD for 40K, or I could try NH F NRT-SIN, then SQ Y SIN-BNE for 72.5K. All with space available. Or I can use my KF miles to book SQ J NRT-SIN-BNE. Worst comes worst I can always fly a paid ticket on Jetstar. I am not stuck in Japan. So with not much expectation, I wrote them the emails with screenshots, but I didn't expect that it would be approved and actually booked so fast!

The problem is, it's like you have won a lottery unexpectedly, but you are waiting for them to contact you for further instructions, yet if you don't claim the money within 72 hours, you forfeit your prize. It is the waiting that makes it so........stressful/exciting? Whatever it is, it's adrenaline rush, and not really suitable for the faint hearted.

I am not complaining about LM. I agree it is still very good value. The purpose of me writing my experience is to share with others who might be thinking of doing it. If you can take the stress, do it. For me, I am not sure if it is worth the stress for me (well, after I get the 60 min spa treatment in BKK, I might change my mind....). But in the mean time, I think I will stick to whatever is available online until they fix the glitch.

 

[ComeGroundWithMe]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Confusion arises mainly because a lot of people have an idea that LM should somehow allow all the best bits of other FFPs they have membership of. Rather than simply accepting LM for what it is and what it offers there is this constant angst and hand wringing about what's not possible!

Why do we have to be forced to jump over hurdles, run through hoops and cross our fingers just for something as straightforward as HKG-BKK-MEL? I mean really?

Is it too much of me to expect Lifemiles to be like every other FFP program, and let me, I dunno... be able to book an actual ticket?

 

[juddles]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Why do we have to be forced to jump over hurdles, run through hoops and cross our fingers just for something as straightforward as HKG-BKK-MEL? I mean really?

Is it too much of me to expect Lifemiles to be like every other FFP program, and let me, I dunno... be able to book an actual ticket?

IMHO the ability of frequent flyers to come up with desires far outweighs the reasonable preparedness of airlines to foresee them

 

[Princess Fiona]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Real newbie question here that I'd love some help with.
Have a TG F booking SYD-LHR. Thanks to TG schedule changes the flights completely misconnect. SYD-BKK arrives 3 hours after the BKK-LHR sector.
Who fixes this up ? I presume it's Avianca and I presume I need to call. Any help would be most welcome

 

[bcworld]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Real newbie question here that I'd love some help with.
Have a TG F booking SYD-LHR. Thanks to TG schedule changes the flights completely misconnect. SYD-BKK arrives 3 hours after the BKK-LHR sector.
Who fixes this up ? I presume it's Avianca and I presume I need to call. Any help would be most welcome

Thai should fix this for you. Call the office in Sydney...there are some very helpful people there, but you might not always get to them first time.

 

[Cynicor]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Real newbie question here that I'd love some help with.
Have a TG F booking SYD-LHR. Thanks to TG schedule changes the flights completely misconnect. SYD-BKK arrives 3 hours after the BKK-LHR sector.
Who fixes this up ? I presume it's Avianca and I presume I need to call. Any help would be most welcome

Call Thai and see what they can offer. Don't stress too much yet. This is the change I asked about last night, i think?

 

[Princess Fiona]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Call Thai and see what they can offer. Don't stress too much yet. This is the change I asked about last night, i think?

Funny you should say that
Yes it is and thanks for the heads up

 

[drron]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

I second giving the Thai sydney office a call or even an email.They fixed our problem without any need for us to contact Avianca.
Sorry I didn't keep the email with the agent's name but she was fantastic.

 

[RB]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Real newbie question here that I'd love some help with.
Have a TG F booking SYD-LHR. Thanks to TG schedule changes the flights completely misconnect. SYD-BKK arrives 3 hours after the BKK-LHR sector.
Who fixes this up ? I presume it's Avianca and I presume I need to call. Any help would be most welcome

We have friends invloved in a similar misconnect. They rang Thai Syd & are now travelling to BKK a day earlier & having a longer stop. I believe there was a bit of "discussion" before the agreement was reached.
If you send me a pm I have the name & number of a very helpful lady in Thai SYD

 

[Princess Fiona]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

We have friends invloved in a similar misconnect. They rang Thai Syd & are now travelling to BKK a day earlier & having a longer stop. I believe there was a bit of "discussion" before the agreement was reached.
If you send me a pm I have the name & number of a very helpful lady in Thai SYD

Brilliant, first phone call to TG was an abysmal failure.
Advised to go through Avianca as TG couldn't re-book onto the earlier SYD flight.

 

[legroom]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Really ???? .....But it is not our fault at all !!!

Their own chart expressly offers the awards with a built-in connection e.g. OTHERS (Oz / NZ) to Asia (North / South)

We did not push the boundaries, far from it.

We are asking them to honour their own chart, that's all

https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/inc/starredawards.aspx

IMHO the ability of frequent flyers to come up with desires far outweighs the reasonable preparedness of airlines to foresee them

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Really ???? .....But it is not our fault at all !!!

Their own chart expressly offers the awards with a built-in connection e.g. OTHERS (Oz / NZ) to Asia (North / South)

We did not push the boundaries, far from it.

We are asking them to honour their own chart, that's all

https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/inc/starredawards.aspx

the chart makes no guarantees to connections! (although it is implied).

there are options to fly 'others' to both South and North asia without a connection (thai, air China, air New Zealand, Asiana all offering non-stop services to those regions from australia).

QF is the same... it implies you can book oneworld and connections, but their website doesn't even list half their partners, and misses various cities. to book will involve a manual process (the call centre) with hefty call centre charges. (actually... QF is different in that their approach is intentional! LM seems to be a glitch.)

 

[legroom]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Off topic, but for the sake of an argument only:

Living in Oz, wish to go to (North Asia) NRT / HKG on *A or going to South Asia (Myanmar etc...), how on earth could anyone fly "direct from OZ" without stopping at one of their hubs e.g. BKK, ICN, AKL etc..... ?

That is why the chart is misleading with the way LM is not actually offering those routes as one award.

I am not complaining either. Just saying !

the chart makes no guarantees to connections! (although it is implied).

there are options to fly 'others' to both South and North asia without a connection (thai, air China, air New Zealand, Asiana all offering non-stop services to those regions from australia).

QF is the same... it implies you can book oneworld and connections, but their website doesn't even list half their partners, and misses various cities. to book will involve a manual process (the call centre) with hefty call centre charges. (actually... QF is different in that their approach is intentional! LM seems to be a glitch.)

 

[jsoprano]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Brilliant, first phone call to TG was an abysmal failure.
Advised to go through Avianca as TG couldn't re-book onto the earlier SYD flight.

Keep us posted how you go. Haven't fixed my 3-hr misconnection to MUC yet, but will call them tomorrow I guess.

What I was wondering: as it seems nobody is actually notifying the traveller, what happens if you just "don't bother" and show up for check in? Or will they "clear out" the misconnecting pax eventually, closer to the travel date?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Off topic, but for the sake of an argument only:

Living in Oz, wish to go to (North Asia) NRT / HKG on *A or going to South Asia (Myanmar etc...), how on earth could anyone fly "direct from OZ" without stopping at one of their hubs e.g. BKK, ICN, AKL etc..... ?

That is why the chart is misleading with the way LM is not actually offering those routes as one award.

I am not complaining either. Just saying !

as I said - the chart makes no mention of connecting flights, and the chart is accurate for existing flights (non-stop) from Australia to the regions it mentions.

Sth Asia? You can fly AU-BKK on TG (chart satisfied)
Nth Asia? You can fly MEL/SYD to PVG/PEK/ICN (chart satisfied)
From NZ? You can fly AKL to BKK/PVG/NRT (chart satisfied)

It's no like the chart is saying you can fly from 'others' to Nth/Sth Asia, but there are no flights (other than connections) available.