Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

The booking I've requested is for next year. Searched flights on UA which also didn't show availability for SQ.

UA doesn't show availability on line - you have to call and they book it for you.

LM 'finding' SQ availability is not uncommon. There's been a few reports of this happening where requested flights have gone but SQ is offered in its place. I don't know if there's a pattern (requested alternative must be unavailable), or whether the availability is widespread.

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

LM 'finding' SQ availability is not uncommon. There's been a few reports of this happening where requested flights have gone but SQ is offered in its place. I don't know if there's a pattern (requested alternative must be unavailable), or whether the availability is widespread.

At least we know LM have access to SQ J ex-AUS, meaning it's not blocked, just a glitch on their site.

Now to check if they will allow requesting SQ flights without using screenshots, which may show availability on other airlines eg BNE-BKK-SIN on TG.

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

UA doesn't show availability on line - you have to call and they book it for you.

LM 'finding' SQ availability is not uncommon. There's been a few reports of this happening where requested flights have gone but SQ is offered in its place. I don't know if there's a pattern (requested alternative must be unavailable), or whether the availability is widespread.

I’m going to try emailing them tonight to request a simple ADL-SIN SQ regional J. SQ are the only *A carrier that services ADL with J so putting ADL as the origin always returns no J availability (the flight is available in Y). Its 9 months in advance, mid-week and not a very popular flight so I suspect there’s plenty of award availability for KF members.

I’ll let you know how I go and see what they come back to me with. If I can book it then it makes LMs even more flexible than it already is. I’m really liking this program at the moment both for its value and flexibility.

 

[I love to travel]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I’m going to try emailing them tonight to request a simple ADL-SIN SQ regional J. SQ are the only *A carrier that services ADL with J so putting ADL as the origin always returns no J availability (the flight is available in Y). Its 9 months in advance, mid-week and not a very popular flight so I suspect there’s plenty of award availability for KF members.

I’ll let you know how I go and see what they come back to me with. If I can book it then it makes LMs even more flexible than it already is. I’m really liking this program at the moment both for its value and flexibility.

Have you tried selecting SQ as the airline rather than smart search. I can often get SQ flights that way in ADL

 

[coolkid101]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I’m going to try emailing them tonight to request a simple ADL-SIN SQ regional J. SQ are the only *A carrier that services ADL with J so putting ADL as the origin always returns no J availability (the flight is available in Y). Its 9 months in advance, mid-week and not a very popular flight so I suspect there’s plenty of award availability for KF members.

I’ll let you know how I go and see what they come back to me with. If I can book it then it makes LMs even more flexible than it already is. I’m really liking this program at the moment both for its value and flexibility.

not sure about always no availability
i've booked 2 flights in the last year ADL-SIN directly on website and another 3rd flight when J class showed up as F, but a quick screenshot and note to callcentre sorted it out). i've always searched "smart search" and the bookings varied between 3 to 11 months in the future
ADL-SIN was always the easiest to find
even got SIN-BNE-SIN online only last month

 

[luxury-lizard]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I'm having a problem booking AC - every time I press continue after selecting the flight(s) I get an error / contact support. I've sent screen shots to LM and fully expect no issues booking what I want but it seems kind of funny that it always errors out - it's a very simple itinerary (SYD-YVR-SYD). The same thing happened a few months ago on another AC booking and I wrote it off as a temporary glitch.

Anyone else have this issue??

 

[bcworld]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I'm having a problem booking AC - every time I press continue after selecting the flight(s) I get an error / contact support. I've sent screen shots to LM and fully expect no issues booking what I want but it seems kind of funny that it always errors out - it's a very simple itinerary (SYD-YVR-SYD). The same thing happened a few months ago on another AC booking and I wrote it off as a temporary glitch.

Anyone else have this issue??

A friend of mine did...booking SYD-YVR-EWR. Screenshot / email is the only way. Being a simple itinerary really means nothing with regard to what will or wont error during LM online booking!

 

[N860CR]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Nice easy one done, MEL-BKK-FCO and MXP-BKK-SYD. All in TG J. Could have had one sector in F (MXP-BKK) but would have added about $600 and I'm over budget as it is.

Total cost was about $3500. Not the best value, but not bad for a return a few days before Xmas at short notice.

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Have you tried selecting SQ as the airline rather than smart search. I can often get SQ flights that way in ADL

Thanks for the tip - that actually worked perfectly!

 

[baggyred]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Looking at booking a flight to the US ex Perth.

If I book a mixed cabin flight where the Perth -> Sin leg is in economy and the rest is in J, am I able to "upgrade" that first leg without penalty if a J award set becomes available later.

Noticing a lot of J seats available within 10 or so days of flying. - so thinking that routing might be preferable to TG

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Looking at booking a flight to the US ex Perth.

If I book a mixed cabin flight where the Perth -> Sin leg is in economy and the rest is in J, am I able to "upgrade" that first leg without penalty if a J award set becomes available later.

Noticing a lot of J seats available within 10 or so days of flying. - so thinking that routing might be preferable to TG

No, you will either need to pay a change fee (USD150) or cancel (USD50) and re-book.

There will be no additional miles required to upgrade though

 

[smit0847]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Im buying points (either LMs or AA) to fly my parents to Europe next year. Theyve never flown a preium class. As LMs J is the cheapest option, Im planning to book them into SQ + TG J one-way to Europe and now looking at options home. I was initially thinking QR J with AA miles (B787 + A350) as it would be one stop back to ADL (where they live) and I cant think of a better J product out there.
However AA miles are significantly more expensive than LMs to buy and its almost exactly the same price to book them LM F as AA J. There’s availability for TG F FRA-BKK-SYD one-way (A380 + B747) so Im thinking which is the better option even though it would involve an extra SYD-ADL leg at the end. Its too expensive to do QR J one way and TG F the other so Im only tossing up this option for one-way.

What would you choose? QR J or TG F?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

What would you choose? QR J or TG F?

Easy. TG F. They have a tag-on flight at the end, but more than made up for by being looked after during the transit in BKK.

 

[Guvner]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

I second that

 

[JessicaTam]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Easy. TG F. They have a tag-on flight at the end, but more than made up for by being looked after during the transit in BKK.

I second that

I third that.

The F service in BKK is fantastic. If you have a few spare QF/AA points they could fly SYD-ADL J so still get lounge access for the last leg.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Qr J service is better than TG F in the air. The food on QR is better than tg F and the A350 j seat is great. I vote QR. Only thing better on TG would be ground service in transit but the QR j lounge in DOH is very good.

 

[tm.smile]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Qr J service is better than TG F in the air. The food on QR is better than tg F and the A350 j seat is great. I vote QR. Only thing better on TG would be ground service in transit but the QR j lounge in DOH is very good.

My vote is TG F. Seat on TG is far better, though QR seat is still good and their catering is great. TG food is still nice and service I have found is on par, with TG being more genuine vs the hit and miss of QR crew.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Looking at booking a flight to the US ex Perth.

If I book a mixed cabin flight where the Perth -> Sin leg is in economy and the rest is in J, am I able to "upgrade" that first leg without penalty if a J award set becomes available later.

Noticing a lot of J seats available within 10 or so days of flying. - so thinking that routing might be preferable to TG

No, you will either need to pay a change fee (USD150) or cancel (USD50) and re-book.

There will be no additional miles required to upgrade though

I have tried to upgrade 1 leg from Y to J before on a mixed booking and was not allowed. Despite 2 emails and numerous calls. I think the T&C allow it but they would just not do it.

They ended up saying if I could show the route as available in J the entire way online they would change it.

 

[Cynicor]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

It would have to be a very good J to be better than TG F. Many F are better, but I'd take it any day. Food seems to be fine too. 3 serves of caviar, various breads, entree, chef on call style booking and decent normal menu.
TG J is pretty barren but F ain't bad at all.

 

[bwhouse]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

It would have to be a very good J to be better than TG F. Many F are better, but I'd take it any day. Food seems to be fine too. 3 serves of caviar, various breads, entree, chef on call style booking and decent normal menu.
TG J is pretty barren but F ain't bad at all.

I agree, I've only flown TG F on one of there older 747's (will be flying F in the A380 in a few days) but it was still fantastic. The service was excellent and the food and drink was better than I have seen on QF J. I can't compare to QR J though as I haven't had the opportunity to fly it.