Miles and Cash booking with good Ratio (at least 40% in Miles, the rest can be paid 12.75 USD per 1K)
No YQ Charge on Award bookings
You can book all Staralliance award flights online (one-way, return, multi city)
50% Miles for one way
2-3 times per year a 100% Bonus when buying miles
40`000 miles for StarGold
No expiration of the miles when there is a single transaction within 24 months.
cancel and redeposit of the points 50 USD
Earning chart not that bad (J from 100% - 200% depending on airline)
The bad things:
10k miles needs to be flown on AviancaTaca metal for Gold status
Not a lot partner earnings (Hotels)
Stopover still unsure (?)
www.lifemiles.com
NWIFlyer
Jun 21, 12, 6:03 am
... and, unfortunately, a minimum 10k miles on their own metal for Elite status - with no direct flights into Heathrow (only a BA codeshare connection via Madrid.)
irishguy28
Jun 21, 12, 6:13 am
The fantastic claim in the thread title could only be true if they hired Keeley.
Swiss Tony
Jun 21, 12, 6:14 am
... and, unfortunately, a minimum 10k miles on their own metal for Elite status - with no direct flights into Heathrow (only a BA codeshare connection via Madrid.)
Fair enough - so you use A3 for your status (if you really want it) and this for your redemptions.
The no YQ has to be appealing!
PS northernstar84 - thanks for posting ^
northernstar84
Jun 21, 12, 6:17 am
... and, unfortunately, a minimum 10k miles on their own metal for Elite status - with no direct flights into Heathrow (only a BA codeshare connection via Madrid.)
Avianca will start LHR-BOG end of this year.
Tiger_lily
Jun 21, 12, 6:26 am
Avianca will start LHR-BOG end of this year.
Not the first place that springs to mind to do a MR to retain status
Swiss Tony
Jun 21, 12, 6:29 am
Not the first place that springs to mind to do a MR to retain status
No it.s perfect as the definition of a MR is that you get off one plane and get onto the next. As you say, you ain't going to hang around in Bogota...
northernstar84
Jun 21, 12, 6:32 am
One example:
ZRH - SFO return in C
40`000 Miles and 761 USD (Cash+Miles) + around 70 USD Taxes (No YQ)
and the same for ZRH - SIN !!!!
G_G
Jun 21, 12, 7:05 am
even the IT system is the same as BMI :D
impossible to enroll : no city available to choose !
orudge
Jun 21, 12, 8:14 am
Is there any way of viewing the redemption rates without signing up?
I notice you can't earn miles on TAM - I guess that's due to the LATAM anti-trust/competition issues? One wonders how long it'll be before LATAM announces their future alliance intentions.
Also, it kind of saddens me that we have a new airline (well, two) in Star Alliance and I can't update the bmi calculator with figures for it. :(
northernstar84
Jun 21, 12, 8:27 am
Is there any way of viewing the redemption rates without signing up?
I notice you can't earn miles on TAM - I guess that's due to the LATAM anti-trust/competition issues? One wonders how long it'll be before LATAM announces their future alliance intentions.
Also, it kind of saddens me that we have a new airline (well, two) in Star Alliance and I can't update the bmi calculator with figures for it. :(
Here but from a german forum:
upgedatete Awardchart (danke an User piiit für die Vorarbeit):
Cash + Miles Option: you need to have at least 40% of the total miles on your account, the rest can be paid with cash (1K = 12,75 USD )
Return (One-Way)
Europa - Europa (MAD)
Eco: 25.000 (12.500)
Business: 40.000 (20.000)
Europa - Nordamerika / Südafrika (JFK, LAX, YVR, CPT) (HNL -> Werte für Mittelamerika)
No it.s perfect as the definition of a MR is that you get off one plane and get onto the next. As you say, you ain't going to hang around in Bogota...
Why? Colombia is a great country to visit and while BOG is a little gritty I've certainly felt less safe elsewhere. Bolton for example. ;)
That said 10K miles on AV/TA metal every year is a bit of a pain.
Swiss Tony
Jun 21, 12, 10:36 am
Why? Colombia is a great country to visit and while BOG is a little gritty I've certainly felt less safe elsewhere. Bolton for example. ;)
That said 10K miles on AV/TA metal every year is a bit of a pain.
Yes, but as I understand it the 10k is only to get elite status. If you're just doing it to rip the whatever out of a FF scheme - as so many did with BMI - then it's an irrelevance, surely? (I am saying this without knowing/accounting for the status bonuses that apply)
The OP mentioned generous mileage purchase schemes, but even without that and just buying miles, I reckon you could get to the US in club for about £1400... Might not be very special for a weekend trip to New York, but if you're trying to get to somewhere way down the line for a couple of days midweek, it sounds attractive.
lizban
Jun 21, 12, 10:41 am
I will definately keep an eye on this one. I assume there is no UK issued CC to go with it (or on line shoppping).
pogonation
Jun 21, 12, 11:52 am
What are rules on stopovers?
jbfield
Jun 21, 12, 12:01 pm
Don't forget that COPA should be following sometime soonish too...will have to see how that one compares once it joined.
Avianca has always looked good from the sidelines.
Are they an underdog in the region? If so, it would be a good sign they'd want to make further benefits available.
northernstar84
Jun 21, 12, 12:01 pm
I will definately keep an eye on this one. I assume there is no UK issued CC to go with it (or on line shoppping).
They have a on line shopping store.
pogonation
Jun 21, 12, 12:04 pm
I'm showing SQ C availability on my life miles account :eek:
xcalx
Jun 21, 12, 12:09 pm
One example:
ZRH - SFO return in C
40`000 Miles and 761 USD (Cash+Miles) + around 90 USD Taxes (No YQ)
and the same for ZRH - SIN !!!!
Another few examples
DUB-IAD-LAX (UA) OW in C 20000 +$431.86 or 50000 + $49 taxes
LHR-LAX (UA) OW in C 20000 + $658 or 50000 + $278 taxes
colmc
Jun 21, 12, 1:51 pm
Don't forget that COPA should be following sometime soonish too...will have to see how that one compares once it joined.
Copa joined today also. They use MileagePlus (previously OnePass) and have done since the time since CO owned a big share - even though they weren't *A members :D
So no new options there!
irishguy28
Jun 21, 12, 2:21 pm
No it.s perfect as the definition of a MR is that you get off one plane and get onto the next. As you say, you ain't going to hang around in Bogota...
Except that, as LHR is the outstation and BOG is the home base, the next flight might not be for days...
irishguy28
Jun 21, 12, 2:25 pm
I'm showing SQ C availability on my life miles account :eek:
This page (https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/abo/sta/stasingaporeairlines.aspx) suggests you won't actually be able to earn/burn on SQ until September next.
pogonation
Jun 21, 12, 2:58 pm
This page (https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/abo/sta/stasingaporeairlines.aspx) suggests you won't actually be able to earn/burn on SQ until September next.
I could find tickets before then ^
I am wondering now how to find out the award cancellation fees. There is nothing on the website about cancellation fees so I called up to ask and his english wasn't so good, although I did hear the word free which sounded good ^
northernstar84
Jun 21, 12, 3:09 pm
I could find tickets before then ^
I am wondering now how to find out the award cancellation fees. There is nothing on the website about cancellation fees so I called up to ask and his english wasn't so good, although I did hear the word free which sounded good ^
Thanks for the information, It seems as though there is a $50 redeposit charge?
The only problem is that all this information is out of date as it is from before star alliance joined :(
h15t0r1an
Jun 21, 12, 4:11 pm
One example:
ZRH - SFO return in C
40`000 Miles and 761 USD (Cash+Miles) + around 90 USD Taxes (No YQ)
and the same for ZRH - SIN !!!!...Does that transit through Bogota?
northernstar84
Jun 21, 12, 4:15 pm
...Does that transit through Bogota?
No, why it should
Its a Staralliance award
klaus79856
Jun 21, 12, 4:38 pm
Question is if they also match bmi DC as TK do.
TK matched me until 05/14.
gkbiiii
Jun 21, 12, 4:49 pm
I think Lifemiles may be better than BMI ever was, unlimited upgrades (like in the domestic USA) and the use of system wide upgrades to Europe.
2. if you book the highest cost miles awards, you earn miles on them based on class booked. So at least you get some miles back for booking the "all seats award".
This is just like US Dividend Miles but better. Diamonds get upgraded 120 hours before flight (just like US) and get 4 system wide upgrades (that do not expire) that you can save them for as long as you want.
Here is my review of the Lifemiles program: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/star-alliance/1359201-avianca-taca-lifemiles-may-best-program-star.html
abcx
Jun 21, 12, 6:12 pm
What's interesting is that it doesn't make any sense to pay $150 for a date change. Might as well re-deposit for $50 and make a fresh booking.
dannyrado
Jun 22, 12, 1:15 am
Looks interesting for those of us that couldn't give a stuff about status (i'm with Tony on that one.)
No option on the (UK) credit card yet though, as far as i can find??
Swiss Tony
Jun 22, 12, 3:16 am
What do you reckon the spike in account applications has looked like to some poor sod in the marketing department in Colombia? Assume he'll be working all weekend to clear the backlog!
Percy Pig
Jun 22, 12, 5:34 am
I echo Danny's request above - any credit card earning opportunities?
northernstar84
Jun 22, 12, 5:46 am
I echo Danny's request above - any credit card earning opportunities?
at the moment only for US Residents
pogonation
Jun 22, 12, 8:22 am
One big problem with the booking software is that it will only show an itinerary if all the legs are in the same class of travel i.e. If you wanted to book BKK-SYD TG C, SYD-CHC NZ Y it will not show this itinerary. Or for example if you wanted MAN-ZRH(LX C)-HKG(LX F) then it will not show this either.
From what I experienced with the call centre last night (calling the 1-800 number), booking through the ICC will seem like the best booking experience ever in comparison.
pogonation
Jun 22, 12, 8:25 am
What's interesting is that it doesn't make any sense to pay $150 for a date change. Might as well re-deposit for $50 and make a fresh booking.
I would agree but if if you are changing only a few of the legs then you risk losing the availability on the legs you want to keep. So in some scenarios paying the $150 fee might be a better idea.
xcalx
Jun 22, 12, 8:27 am
Transfers can be made from Marriott reward accounts.
The flight and hotel package looks the far better option.
Marriott card 1 point per £1. This can get converted @ (worse case) 6.6 Marriott points to 1 Lifemiles. (1500 - 10,000)
Pretty poor rate but a start.
chrisellen1
Jun 22, 12, 9:53 am
Any ideas on rule of stopovers on redemption tickets?
Would we ring the call centre to do this? Only point to point through their website.
holtju2
Jun 22, 12, 11:12 am
2-3 times per year a 100% Bonus when buying miles
They had one sale in December and another one back in May (http://loyaltylobby.com/2012/05/22/aviancataca-lifemiles-buy-miles-100-bonus/). If you are planning to take advantage any of their future sales, you need to be a Lifemiles member before the sale starts.
I wrote a piece about the sale (http://loyaltylobby.com/2012/05/22/aviancataca-lifemiles-buy-miles-100-bonus/) and how it possibly could make sense to buy and then use them for flights instead of cash. This was when you couldn't redeem for other Star Alliance carriers than Lufthansa and United. My conclusion was that for oneways and business class awards it can make sense to buy the miles.
lizban
Jun 22, 12, 12:27 pm
Can you have family membership? See you can transfer miles but it seems to be $15 per 1000 to transfer.
waribai
Jun 24, 12, 6:20 am
From what I experienced with the call centre last night (calling the 1-800 number), booking through the ICC will seem like the best booking experience ever in comparison.
I see though that TACA have a few service centers dotted around the US and even one in the UK.....Anyway, I've joined up!
JohnnyColombia
Jun 24, 12, 8:51 am
Avianca will start LHR-BOG end of this year.
Maybe, they have been saying that for at least 10 years. They will probably only start it when they get their 787s, which I don't think will be this year. By the way, the rumour is LGW not LHR
No it.s perfect as the definition of a MR is that you get off one plane and get onto the next. As you say, you ain't going to hang around in Bogota...
How very rude. I flew LHR MAD BOG in 2008 and I am still here. No recession here, no Daily Mail, the chicas are way hotter than they are in Clapham, beer costs a buck a bottle and a packet of 20 smokes is only 70p. Just a handful of reasons to "hang around" in Bogotá
Why? Colombia is a great country to visit and while BOG is a little gritty I've certainly felt less safe elsewhere. Bolton for example. ;)
That said 10K miles on AV/TA metal every year is a bit of a pain.
That's more like it! Shame it isn't like LAN where you can do your qualifying segments between FRA and MAD in one weekend.
What do you reckon the spike in account applications has looked like to some poor sod in the marketing department in Colombia? Assume he'll be working all weekend to clear the backlog!
LifeMiles is administered from Costa Rica or El Salvador I think, somewhere on the TA side rather than the AV side.
Pacha
Jun 24, 12, 9:33 am
does anyone know if the Elite bonus (100% for gold/plat) is also awarded on *A flights?
lizban
Jun 24, 12, 9:55 am
Dear MBNA Please transfer my cc with immediate effect....
cmcbugg
Jun 24, 12, 4:52 pm
I signed up - did a dummy LHR-JNB return and found flights in C with their online tool (SAA out, LX back) - total for miles + cash: 36,000 + £700.
Which is pretty much in about the same range as I used to pay for DC miles+cash. So this program could be very interesting. And they even have an online booking tool that seems to work for *A bookings.
Only problem is I used to earn the majority of my DC miles from CC spend.
lizban
Jun 25, 12, 3:17 am
Indeed the lack of CC is the one missing link in stopping this scheme being fantastic.
Surely a nice shiney new Credit card with a 40k sign up bonus is needed!
GBM.flights
Jun 25, 12, 4:21 am
does anyone know if the Elite bonus (100% for gold/plat) is also awarded on *A flights?
That point also got my attention but the answer unfortunately is no.
See page 4 (https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/pdf/111228_LifeMiles_Guidebook_PDF_2_eng.pdf), point 2.1.a.
Bonus miles received by the fare family purchased: We’re giving you a great sales tool
to increase your income! This bonus, which is in addition to the base miles, is
awarded to members when traveling on Avianca and TACA fights, and depends on
the fare family purchased. The higher the fare family purchased by your client, the
larger the Elite qualifying mile bonus received.
GBM
marwanb
Jun 25, 12, 4:22 am
Indeed the lack of CC is the one missing link in stopping this scheme being fantastic.
Surely a nice shiney new Credit card with a 40k sign up bonus is needed!
To be 100% accurate, a new UK-issued credit card would make Lifemiles a great alternative to DC.
From what I can tell, US (http://www.usbank.com/cgi_w/cfm/credit/distancia/usb_distancia_sig.cfm) and Colombian (https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/use/cob/cobprocrecarciticol2.aspx) residents have access to credit cards.
lizban
Jun 25, 12, 4:29 am
To be 100% accurate, a new UK-issued credit card would make Lifemiles a great alternative to DC.
From what I can tell, US (http://www.usbank.com/cgi_w/cfm/credit/distancia/usb_distancia_sig.cfm) and Colombian (https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/use/cob/cobprocrecarciticol2.aspx) residents have access to credit cards.
Indeed (that's my fault for assuming a UK bias on the BMI forum)
Pacha
Jun 25, 12, 5:30 am
That point also got my attention but the answer unfortunately is no.
See page 4 (https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/pdf/111228_LifeMiles_Guidebook_PDF_2_eng.pdf), point 2.1.a.
GBM
Thanks!!
The question is if this was written prior to them joining *A and if this will change <end wishful thinking>
JohnnyColombia
Jun 25, 12, 5:51 am
To be 100% accurate, a new UK-issued credit card would make Lifemiles a great alternative to DC.
From what I can tell, US (http://www.usbank.com/cgi_w/cfm/credit/distancia/usb_distancia_sig.cfm) and Colombian (https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/use/cob/cobprocrecarciticol2.aspx) residents have access to credit cards.
I've got 2 LifeMiles credit cards. An InterBank Perú Amex and a Citi Colombia Visa. In fact LifeMiles has cards in all territories in which it operates, but I don't see one coming to the UK soon. At least not until this fabled LGW to BOG route starts.
Check the offers page on LifeMiles though, they have triple miles car rental deals quite often so you get 1500 LifeMiles for any rental. I picked up 4500 miles in Feb for a rental at MIA for a day, a rental at FLL for a day and a Vauxhall Zafira for a week from Bow in East London. That was with Sixt, I think the current deal is with Avis.
UA Fan
Jun 27, 12, 7:37 am
I still wish that AV did not join. There might have been a chance to have JJ stay in star.
NickB
Jun 27, 12, 7:59 am
I've got 2 LifeMiles credit cards. An InterBank Perú Amex and a Citi Colombia Visa. In fact LifeMiles has cards in all territories in which it operates, but I don't see one coming to the UK soon. At least not until this fabled LGW to BOG route starts.I agree. Difficult to see which cc companies would be madly enthusiastic about such a credit card in the UK market.
It would be nice to see a return of LON-BOG with AV. They used to fly to LON but that was a looong time ago, before 9/11. I would not hold my breath on that route coming back too soon.
It has been a long time since I flew AV. I did it a few times in C during the infamous Latinpass Million miles run and they were very decent indeed. Catering was excellent (although it might have changed since then). I have flown TA rather more as they difficult to avoid in central America anyway. They were not the worst airline on the planet but nothing to write home about either. Catering in C was shocking, though.
AV imo works very well as a replacement for DC for those who are based in the Americas. For UK, and more generally European, flyers, it is not quite as obvious, at any rate for those who do not regularly fly to South America.
NickB
Jun 27, 12, 8:01 am
I still wish that AV did not join. There might have been a chance to have JJ stay in star.It seems to me that you are looking at it the wrong way round: with the imminent departure of JJ from *A, *A would have been left with a gaping hole in Latin America. It seems to me that it was always more likely for LATAM to end up in OW than *A.
UA Fan
Jun 27, 12, 8:38 am
It seems to me that you are looking at it the wrong way round: with the imminent departure of JJ from *A, *A would have been left with a gaping hole in Latin America. It seems to me that it was always more likely for LATAM to end up in OW than *A.
I thought I heard that LATAM was going to an alliance in which TA was not part of. Brazil is empty again.
holtju2
Jun 27, 12, 8:41 am
I thought I heard that LATAM was going to an alliance in which TA was not part of. Brazil is empty again.
There is an Avianca Brazil that is a rebranded OceanAir. Flew with them once to Salvador da Bahia. Maybe they eventually join Star Alliance as well?
colmc
Jun 27, 12, 8:52 am
There is an Avianca Brazil that is a rebranded OceanAir. Flew with them once to Salvador da Bahia. Maybe they eventually join Star Alliance as well?
I would imagine so, once TAM has left. I'd imagine it was just a "polite" thing not to include them while the whole LATAM thing was coming together. Once they are gone, there is nothing to stop Avianca's owners from bringing Avianca Brazil into the fold
UA Fan
Jun 27, 12, 9:09 am
There is an Avianca Brazil that is a rebranded OceanAir. Flew with them once to Salvador da Bahia. Maybe they eventually join Star Alliance as well?
I hope so. I flew them as well and liked it.
JohnnyColombia
Jun 27, 12, 10:23 am
It has been a long time since I flew AV. I did it a few times in C during the infamous Latinpass Million miles run and they were very decent indeed. Catering was excellent (although it might have changed since then).
AV is a different beast altogether now, they have an excellent fleet, a great economy class with better catering than LAN on regional routes. A proper business class on domestic and regional routes which LAN doesn't have on its A319 services. Great IFE, superb business class flat bed on the A330
Of course none of that is of much consequence to a former DC aficionado that lives just off the Matlock Bypass and has no plans to visit South America.
abcx
Jun 27, 12, 8:41 pm
AV is a different beast altogether now, they have an excellent fleet, a great economy class with better catering than LAN on regional routes. A proper business class on domestic and regional routes which LAN doesn't have on its A319 services. Great IFE, superb business class flat bed on the A330
Of course none of that is of much consequence to a former DC aficionado that lives just off the Matlock Bypass and has no plans to visit South America.
LAN business class was pretty good too - all fully flat beds. The catering was a bit bland but I care a lot more about the hard product than the soft product.
Thanks for posting that. I hope that SMD V visits AV because I want to see their robot in action.
"Our automatic upgrade robot reviews all the reservations in our system looking for Elite members and checking availability on Business Class on every fight."
I wonder if he looks like Robby.
I would like an upgrade - Computer says nooooo.
Atlantico
Jul 5, 12, 1:28 pm
I've asked them for a stauts match, got a negative response within hours.
Pacha
Jul 6, 12, 9:16 am
has anyone found out if they allow stopovers (on the phone)?
soy
Jul 8, 12, 4:45 am
No stopovers allowed, at least that is my understanding based on other things I have read on the interweb about the program.
So SYD-BKK-LHR would cost less than SYD-BKK (stop) - LHR
waribai
Jul 11, 12, 11:51 am
Do they have any kind of family membership?
erik123
Jul 11, 12, 2:48 pm
Do they have any kind of family membership?
If you have a twin brother with the same name yes - otherwise no.
TPJ
Jul 12, 12, 1:24 pm
There is an Avianca Brazil that is a rebranded OceanAir. Flew with them once to Salvador da Bahia. Maybe they eventually join Star Alliance as well?
They keep them out of *A for now to give LATAM a chance (slim chances, though).
To remember: You need at least 40% of the total miles of the trip then you can pay the rest with cash (1K for 12,5 USD)
harryhv
Jul 14, 12, 8:13 pm
A couple of questions about booking awards
- any experience of booking LifeMiles awards? The online booking page is great, seems to show more flights than the ANA tool, eg offers up 3-leg connections, and can look more than 11 months ahead. But does it fall over at payment-time?
- One major drawback is that the award-booking dialog is missing some airports including some favourites for FTers. You won't find CMB in their list, but maybe someone has hacked the page with Greasemonkey to add items to the list? Or, how is the phone-booking, is it really worse than the ICC?
- AFAIK cancellation is cheap but changes are expensive, so better to cancel and start a new booking. Any problem to redeposit the miles and the cash?
- There are some rumours, but I don't know any details, that staff and/or the web-dialog can make useful mistakes as to the zone of a destination.
AA_EXP09
Jul 14, 12, 9:55 pm
:td: for not putting HKG as it's own country.
I refuse to associate with the mess that is the PRC.
To remember: You need at least 40% of the total miles of the trip then you can pay the rest with cash (1K for 12,5 USD)
weird.. was trying to book a One Way redemption in J from SIN (South Asia) to TPE (North Asia). I was charged 40,000 miles instead of 22,500 miles.
:confused:
CAlex
Jul 15, 12, 4:47 am
Is there any info on stopovers?
northernstar84
Jul 15, 12, 7:18 am
weird.. was trying to book a One Way redemption in J from SIN (South Asia) to TPE (North Asia). I was charged 40,000 miles instead of 22,500 miles.
:confused:
deleted
eponymous_coward
Jul 15, 12, 9:57 am
:td: for not putting HKG as it's own country.
I refuse to associate with the mess that is the PRC.
Who cares? It's an award chart, not a political statement. And US does this too: they consider HKG and MFM to be part of China/North Asia, not South Asia, which reduces the award cost from many places. It's also really quite helpful to have HKG/MFM in two different *A award zones with different programs if you know how to work this...
To remember: You need at least 40% of the total miles of the trip then you can pay the rest with cash (1K for 12,5 USD)
Thank you. Where are the good redemption values in this chart? Does AV ever have any buy miles specials like US Airways dividend miles?
ADNANALI
Jul 15, 12, 5:02 pm
my first redemption with using lifemiles;
KTM-BKK-ICN-TAS (I Know its a very long route, but this seemed the only possible way using star alliance carriers.)
7500 lifemiles + $143 cash + $34 taxes. booked online in Business class.
I presume it is not a bad deal at all.
GBM.flights
Jul 16, 12, 4:39 am
my first redemption with using lifemiles;
KTM-BKK-ICN-TAS (I Know its a very long route, but this seemed the only possible way using star alliance carriers.)
7500 lifemiles + $143 cash + $34 taxes. booked online in Business class.
I presume it is not a bad deal at all.
Booked online? wow. TG and OZ?
But how did it come to 7500 miles?
Central Asia to Central Asia as per the award chart is 45K in J. One way would be 22.5K. 40% of that would come to 9K instead of 7.5K.
Thanks.
GBM
Swanhunter
Jul 16, 12, 7:32 am
my first redemption with using lifemiles;
KTM-BKK-ICN-TAS (I Know its a very long route, but this seemed the only possible way using star alliance carriers.)
7500 lifemiles + $143 cash + $34 taxes. booked online in Business class.
I presume it is not a bad deal at all.
That is good value. I did a TAS-ICN-HKG-BKK-KBV in the old DC days for about 15K miles and thought I had a bargain!
Enigma368
Jul 16, 12, 7:46 am
One example:
ZRH - SFO return in C
40`000 Miles and 761 USD (Cash+Miles) + around 70 USD Taxes (No YQ)
So this would be 40k miles and about £550
For the same route BMI used to be 37.5k and £210 and ~£300-£400 taxes right?
Seems good to me.
As someone who rarely flies revenue and earned all his DC miles through credit card and hotel promos, I hope there will be some way we can earn significant avianca miles without flying.
ADNANALI
Jul 16, 12, 8:52 am
Booked online? wow. TG and OZ?
But how did it come to 7500 miles?
Central Asia to Central Asia as per the award chart is 45K in J. One way would be 22.5K. 40% of that would come to 9K instead of 7.5K.
Thanks.
GBM
I agree with you, I was expecting to pay 22500 miles, but the online booking system at lifemiles.com gave a price tag of 17500 miles (it might be some kind of promotion, though not quite sure). It only gave the minimum miles option of 7500 (43%) and more, in the increments 1000 miles.
It was a very easy online booking, with e-ticket issued in 24 hours.
I did try to buy a ticket from KTM to TAS (via DEL, DXB, IST) but it was too expensive around $800 in economy class. It seems rather silly to have a 32 hours journey for such a (geographically) such short distance.
Boddingtons
Jul 16, 12, 9:52 am
One stopover permitted.
abcx
Jul 16, 12, 9:58 am
One stopover permitted.
On the phone or how? One stop per one way or per round trip?
GBM.flights
Jul 16, 12, 10:13 am
I agree with you, I was expecting to pay 22500 miles, but the online booking system at lifemiles.com gave a price tag of 17500 miles (it might be some kind of promotion, though not quite sure). It only gave the minimum miles option of 7500 (43%) and more, in the increments 1000 miles.
I like their IT already, it will make an easy transition from DC, feeling like home :D .
It was a very easy online booking, with e-ticket issued in 24 hours.
This is still the amazing part for me, that a new *A member already has this interface. Great stuff.
GBM
stephem
Jul 16, 12, 9:44 pm
I just flew a UA F domestic routing today and luckily checked out the earnings table. Bummer that UA and US don't get better than 150%. I credited to LH to get the 300% and top up for a Sen companion award. Looks like onlycertain carriers get 200-300% for premium cabins. Great redemption values though on AV...
harryhv
Jul 17, 12, 12:55 am
Round-up of Aviance LifeMiles experiences as a raw newbie
1. Signed up, got a number immediately. Online password was E mailed after 30 mins. Mrs harryhv also signed up. Drawback - Impossible to enter our address as the city is a drop-list missing our town in Australia. Had to put in a nearby town instead.
2. Bought a handful of miles for USD30 per 1,000. No tax. No limit on buy-miles. The bought-miles posted immediately. Transferred them to Mrs harryhv with bonus offer. Transferred-miles and bonus posted immediately. Continued to transfer back and forth till fingers sore. Drawback - Credit-card company called up, what all these charges in Colombia?
3. Looked for awards. Bl00dy superb search engine, heaps better than ANA or even KVS. Shows a week long list, including multi-sector awards with many legs. Selected a transpac award, AC biz for late June 2013, some 350 days ahead. So not yet visible to ANA, KVS, UAMP etc. Not sure that even AC's own members can see that far out.
Also apparently no limit at the short end, shows awards for tomorrow.
Drawback - Must select destinations from their list, and couldn't hack the page to include CMB for example, would have to call for that.
4. Price YYZ-SYD one-way C, 27000 miles + $513 cash + $83 tax. No YQ, YR, or other fees. Total cost including buying all the miles, about USD1,000. Terms & conditions showed up as a balloon with 4 words: Change $150, Cancel $50. Ticketed within 15 minutes. Drawback - ticketed on Avianca stock (202), must hope they are still around in 12 months; need to call Avianca's notorious call centre in case of schedule changes etc.
5. Stopovers - a one-way fare is just that, no stopover. But there's a multi-city award page which assumes you are booking a return fare with one stopover which seems to be allowed. The mulit-city page is also missing a few important destinations from the drop-list. However there are rumours that it can be persuaded to offer some bargains for remote stops. [Edit-The multi-city seems to charge as if you booked the sectors separately so not sure of its purpose.]
6. Earning - haven't had much time to look at the table but seems normal, similar to Diamond Club with 150% for UA F etc.
7. Status - wasnt interested as you need to fly a few flights with them.
Avianca Lifemiles, altogether a great experience online. Now will see if it's as bad as they say when you call them.
burmans
Jul 17, 12, 12:57 am
From July 16th to July 31st, for every 1,000 miles you transfer to the account of a relative or friend, we will double the miles transferred to your friend’s account. Pay USD $15 plus local taxes per each block of 1,000 miles.
Terms and Conditions
This promotion is available at LifeMiles.com, Information Centers of Avianca and TACA and through our Call Center
This promotion applies between July 16th, 2012 and July 31st, 2012, as the last date of purchase.
Minimum transfer miles: 1,000
Maximum transfer miles: 50,000
The miles must be transferred in multiples of 1,000
Transfer fee for each block of 1,000 LifeMiles: USD $15 + local taxes
For residents in Colombia: block transfer fee of 1.000 LifeMiles is USD $15 + local taxes The values must be calculated at the Alaico rate of the date of transaction
For residents in Peru: the transfer fee for each block of 1,000 LifeMiles: USD $17.7, S. / 46.9. Rate change to July 1st, 2012: S /. 2.65
The amount paid for the miles’ transfer is not refundable
Form of payment through Call Center and LifeMiles.com: credit card or international debit card. Cash payments are only allowed at Avianca or TACA’s Information Centers
The miles transferred and earned with this promotion do not apply to achieve Elite status.
Redemption charges apply for award tickets. Award tickets (obtained by means of accumulation, purchase or transfer miles) have no commercial value because it cannot be sold to third parties. If the award ticket is sold to a third party, the ticket becomes invalid and cannot be used for transportation and the user’s account will be eliminated. Remember that for redemptions in our products “Limited Seats” and “Seat Sale” may not be availability on all flights and /or dates. The product “All Seats” is always available; you can check how many miles are required at LifeMiles.com or at your closest Avianca or TACA’s Information Centers
LifeMiles Terms and Conditions apply
pandaperth
Jul 17, 12, 1:08 am
Thanks for posting harryhv
...
2. Bought a handful of miles for USD30 per 1,000. No tax. No limit on buy-miles. The bought-miles posted immediately. Transferred them to Mrs harryhv with bonus offer. Transferred-miles and bonus posted immediately. Continued to transfer back and forth till fingers sore. Drawback - Credit-card company called up, what all these charges in Colombia?
...
5. Stopovers - a one-way fare is just that, no stopover. But there's a multi-city award page which assumes you are booking a return fare with one stopover which seems to be allowed. The mulit-city page is also missing a few important destinations from the drop-list. However there are rumours that it can be persuaded to offer some bargains for remote stops.
.
2. From playing with the tool - there is a purchase limit of 150,000 miles. Don't know if that is just merely per transaction or per something else (for example annually). I didn't of course actually purchase any miles, so I couldn't test the limits
5. The *A mulit-city option appears to price the trip as three separate 1-way awards. I'm not sure of this yet - but it appears to be doing that.
Also the three-segment trip must return to point of origin (the on-line tool puts the destination in and you are unable to change it)
I see burmans has posted while I've been typing. So harryhv - how many times did you transfer the miles between you and ther missus?:D
harryhv
Jul 17, 12, 1:28 am
how many times did you transfer the miles between you and ther missus?:DCurrently parlaying 2,000 miles into 64,000 at USD15 per thousand. :)
BTW You can't select SQ as your "preferred airline' in LM and it never seems to display any SQ awards, not sure if that's deliberate or just an SQ-induced drought while SQ licks its woulds after that horde of UAMP F bookings invaded their system last week.
pandaperth
Jul 17, 12, 2:12 am
Currently parlaying 2,000 miles into 64,000 at USD15 per thousand. :)
Nice one
BTW You can't select SQ as your "preferred airline' in LM and it never seems to display any SQ awards, not sure if that's deliberate or just an SQ-induced drought while SQ licks its woulds after that horde of UAMP F bookings invaded their system last week.
I had noticed that SQ cannot be selected - BUT I have had SQ flights display - this was a week or two ago
Aussie_flyer
Jul 17, 12, 2:19 am
Nice one
I had noticed that SQ cannot be selected - BUT I have had SQ flights display - this was a week or two ago
they do seem to have vanished but the website does say you won't be able to redeem on SQ until September.
https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/abo/sta/stasingaporeairlines.aspx
GBM.flights
Jul 17, 12, 2:42 am
Currently parlaying 2,000 miles into 64,000 at USD15 per thousand. :)
So this would be something like:
buy initial 2'000 miles - 60USD
trsf 2'000 miles get 4'000 miles - 30USD/Total 90USD
trsf 4'000 miles get 8'000 miles - 60USD/Total 150USD
trsf 8'000 miles get 16'000 miles - 120USD/Total 270USD
trsf 16'000 miles get 32'000 miles - 240USD/Total 510USD
trsf 32'000 miles get 64'000 miles - 480USD/Total 990USD
Is this correct?
That would be ~1.5cts/miles. Very decent deal.
GBM
Aussie_flyer
Jul 17, 12, 2:43 am
So this would be something like:
buy initial 2'000 miles - 60USD
trsf 2'000 miles get 4'000 miles - 30USD/Total 90USD
trsf 4'000 miles get 8'000 miles - 60USD/Total 150USD
trsf 8'000 miles get 16'000 miles - 120USD/Total 270USD
trsf 16'000 miles get 32'000 miles - 240USD/Total 510USD
trsf 32'000 miles get 64'000 miles - 480USD/Total 990USD
Is this correct?
That would turn ~1.5cts/miles. Very decent deal.
GBM
you only need to buy 1000 to get this started.
cmcbugg
Jul 17, 12, 2:46 am
Currently parlaying 2,000 miles into 64,000 at USD15 per thousand. :)
By my maths I make that US$990 for 64,000 (assuming 3000 purchased at the outset for $60) - which is a rate of about $15.47/1000.
So I guess it's about the same as a double miles promo - just with a bit more hassle involved.
edit: and I was beaten to it -- just spent to long in a spreadsheet myself.
IAN-UK
Jul 17, 12, 3:12 am
5. Stopovers - a one-way fare is just that, no stopover. But there's a multi-city award page which assumes you are booking a return fare with one stopover which seems to be allowed. The mulit-city page is also missing a few important destinations from the drop-list. However there are rumours that it can be persuaded to offer some bargains for remote stops.
7. Status - wasn't interested as you need to fly a few flights with them.
Multi-city seems to add sectors: Lisbon to San Francisco one-way was fine with a transfer in Newark, but asking for an EWR stopover pulled in an EWR SFO sector for an additional 25K miles.
Status would be a terrific boost to earning, but for most Europe-based members it's unlikely to be an easy option!
Forcing the search engine to look for flights on specific carriers throws up some problems as it doesn't always recognise airports as part of that carrier's network (although these slot in if the *A option is selected).
holtju2
Jul 17, 12, 3:17 am
Status would be a terrific boost to earning, but for most Europe-based members it's unlikely to be an easy option!
Not really. Status bonuses only apply for flights taken on Avianca or Taca metal. Have I missed something??
burmans
Jul 17, 12, 3:45 am
So this would be something like:
buy initial 2'000 miles - 60USD
trsf 2'000 miles get 4'000 miles - 30USD/Total 90USD
trsf 4'000 miles get 8'000 miles - 60USD/Total 150USD
trsf 8'000 miles get 16'000 miles - 120USD/Total 270USD
trsf 16'000 miles get 32'000 miles - 240USD/Total 510USD
trsf 32'000 miles get 64'000 miles - 480USD/Total 990USD
Is this correct?
That would be ~1.5cts/miles. Very decent deal.
GBM
Isn't FT great sometimes, this is just what I was wondering if you could do, thanks to harryhv no need to wonder anymore.
stinger101
Jul 17, 12, 11:33 am
Paris to Seoul via CDG-MUC-ICN-KHV
8000 miles + $153 cash + $113 tax = $266 in business on LH one way.
holtju2
Jul 17, 12, 11:46 am
Paris to Seoul
Something is better left unsaid.
IAN-UK
Jul 17, 12, 1:35 pm
Have I missed something??
Probably not!
NickB
Jul 17, 12, 1:35 pm
Something is better left unsaid.Indeed. Some people just never learn...
gkbiiii
Jul 17, 12, 1:44 pm
Thank you. Where are the good redemption values in this chart? Does AV ever have any buy miles specials like US Airways dividend miles?
Yes, this was for Dec, 2011:
Dear George:
You can still buy miles 2x1! Take advantage of this opportunity that LifeMiles brings you up to December 30th (2011)!
We want to enjoy your LifeMiles doing what you love during 2012; therefore, for each package of 1,000 miles you buy, LifeMiles will give you a bonus of 100 % more. This miles can be used to redeem reward tickets in Avianca and/or TACA operated routes or at any of our wide variety of air and commercial partners, where you can find theme parks, hotels, car rentals, experiences, products and much more.
Remember that to access this promotion, you must provide the following code: LMAZ03 at our Call Center, LifeMiles.com or at Avianca and TACA’s Information Centers.
gkbiiii
Jul 17, 12, 2:07 pm
Lifemiles does have an award option, that allows you to book a "high award" that earns miles. My understanding is that the miles earned are based on the award class booked, but do they also earn bonus and status miles?
We have good news for all our Diamond Elite members!
In LifeMiles we care about our Diamond members and that is why we want you to enjoy the following exclusive new benefits:
Exclusive Diamond VIP Lounges
Upgrades to Business Class from Cali or Medellin to/from Madrid
Rollover Miles and Segments
echino
Jul 17, 12, 2:59 pm
Where is Mexico?
North of Central America:
35,000
60,000
80,000
echino
Jul 17, 12, 3:01 pm
There are quite a lot of airports put in "unexpected" zones. I'll be playing with their online tool to try and discover more.
littlevoices
Jul 17, 12, 3:35 pm
Interesting, just started to pay attention now, I notice one flaw with the engine being if you want, for example, a First class flight and the airline only offers business on one leg it just refuses to price into First at all, showing it as unavailable (unless I'm missing something with the online tool?)
erik123
Jul 17, 12, 3:37 pm
Paris to Seoul
.
You might consider editing your post?? As should some responders....
gkbiiii
Jul 17, 12, 5:23 pm
North of Central America:
35,000
60,000
80,000
They don't list it there, even though many programs list Mexico as North America.
ariyo15
Jul 17, 12, 5:34 pm
Is the online LM calculator down? Now it's telling me the *A availability will be coming soon. Hmmm. I must be doing something wrong. Lol
Edit: problem solved! Hhaha
ariyo15
Jul 17, 12, 6:24 pm
Not sure how I (or anyone) would effectively use this, but if you mix up a "bad" man and send him off to be burnt with special rays (ending in F), you could end up snowed in with Lester B. for only 5,000 miles and $69.75
Was that toooooo coded? Haha
NickB
Jul 18, 12, 2:51 am
Not sure how I (or anyone) would effectively use this, but if you mix up a "bad" man and send him off to be burnt with special rays (ending in F), you could end up snowed in with Lester B. for only 5,000 miles and $69.75
Was that toooooo coded? HahaOh please... leave that kind of nonsense to the tricking thread lunatics... :)
We simply do not need to know the details of all the weird and wonderful routings that some people extract from the FFP.
Aussie_flyer
Jul 18, 12, 3:02 am
Oh please... leave that kind of nonsense to the tricking thread lunatics... :)
We simply do not need to know the details of all the weird and wonderful routings that some people extract from the FFP.
agreed
Shimon
Jul 18, 12, 4:37 am
Some are finding the search great... I on the other hand am finding it horrible... TLV-ZRH there are flights. ZRH-SFO-LAX there are flights. Search TLV-LAX or SFO selecting Swiss as the airline and nothing shows up. In reverse simply selecting *A flights shows the LX flight.
Enigma368
Jul 18, 12, 5:39 am
You might consider editing your post?? As should some responders....
In fairness, its not like something so obviously wrong will last long unoticed/unchanged whether people post about it on flyertalk or not. As soon as a few people book such a routing, I'm sure this will be fixed.
ariyo15
Jul 18, 12, 10:38 am
Oh please... leave that kind of nonsense to the tricking thread lunatics... :)
We simply do not need to know the details of all the weird and wonderful routings that some people extract from the FFP.
Ok ok. Haha. Sorry. I've actually never posted in trick-it as I don't think I'm "qualified." lol. Given that was my first coded post, I'm glad I didn't get scorned too harshly. That said, I'll keep the rest to myself :)
IAN-UK
Jul 18, 12, 1:41 pm
Ok ok. Haha. Sorry. I've actually never posted in trick-it as I don't think I'm "qualified." lol. Given that was my first coded post, I'm glad I didn't get scorned too harshly. That said, I'll keep the rest to myself :)
To be honest, I've yet to see a clue so impenetrable on the smugfest that is the trick-and-treat thread.
ariyo15
Jul 18, 12, 4:11 pm
To be honest, I've yet to see a clue so impenetrable on the smugfest that is the trick-and-treat thread.
Haha - Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, though like I said, this was a first attempt for me ;)
galego
Jul 19, 12, 5:05 am
Apologies if this has been asked :D
Can you open a LifeMiles account in the UK, and link it to their US credit card?
I have a US bank account that I could link a credit card too...wouldn't mind those free sign up miles...
burmans
Jul 19, 12, 5:19 am
Nice one
I had noticed that SQ cannot be selected - BUT I have had SQ flights display - this was a week or two ago
I think with last weeks SNAFU from UA (not to be confused with this weeks one) a fair bit of Singapore availability over next 6 months disappeared so wouldn't be holding my breath!
Colkurt
Jul 20, 12, 1:23 am
Cool! Thank you for the hint!
IAN-UK
Jul 20, 12, 2:32 am
Sigh...
Again and again and again...I am fed up with people refusing to shut up.
Why ? You think this sort of information is the preserve of a cognoscenti?
dannyrado
Jul 20, 12, 2:41 am
Also, who is it that keeps drawing attention to it?? It would have been buried many pages back already....
Enigma368
Jul 20, 12, 3:53 am
Why ? You think this sort of information is the preserve of a cognoscenti?
I agree. I dont like this kind of "we have found this really great deal, dont tell anyone else" attitude. The whole point of flyertalk is to share these kind of things. OK by all means dont go shouting about it elsewhere, but we are community that are supposed to help each other, not selifishly hide things from each other.
On the other hand, is there a forum on FT that is only open to long term members (like CC), where these kind of things could be more appropriately discussed?
GoldCircle
Jul 20, 12, 4:22 am
Again and again and again...I am fed up with people refusing to shut up.
Ok, so the suggestion is that there is a whiff of skipping the last leg and getting off in ICN, rather than continuing back to the Europe zone, where the lower mileage zone has been charged??? Goodness, that's a real eye opener to us here! ;)
This is a public internet bulletin board. Stuff gets posted. Stuff gets bumped. And you cannot control that. And the Avianca FFP, just like Diamond Club in its time, is perfectly well aware of the practise on revenue and redemption tickets. Screaming 'shhhh!' doesn't change anything.
So, the only person who gets to ask anyone to shut up is the board Moderator. That is the prevailing practise on the bmi board for years. So, if you are fed up, you are entitled to be so. But please don't glower at people who have a different view to you, or you may be asked to shut up yourself.
GoldCircle
bmi board Mod team
YorkieFlyer
Jul 20, 12, 12:42 pm
more info and some booking experiences in another place
I wouldn't be off to KTM from MAD via BKK if it hadn't been for FT.
Yet my local airport is EDI/GLA.
Or would I really know all about BA offering significantly cheaper fares ex-AMS etc via LHR than from LHR direct?
We are here to share how the system works!
Kais767
Jul 21, 12, 7:41 pm
I'm a bit confused here. I currently have an empty new account, to play around with the booking engine a bit.
When it comes to the itinerary review page, there's an option for "More cash" which I presume is the cash+miles option. But I'm being charged USD30 per 1000 miles.
From what I understand, this cash+miles option will count each block of 1000 miles for USD12.75, up to 60% of the required mileage.
Is this a glitch or am I missing something? If its really USD30 per block even at the cash+miles option, I'm better off buying it directly and forgetting the c+m option.
Hope someone can shed some light. :)
pandaperth
Jul 22, 12, 1:59 am
I'm a bit confused here. I currently have an empty new account, to play around with the booking engine a bit.
When it comes to the itinerary review page, there's an option for "More cash" which I presume is the cash+miles option. But I'm being charged USD30 per 1000 miles.
From what I understand, this cash+miles option will count each block of 1000 miles for USD12.75, up to 60% of the required mileage.
Is this a glitch or am I missing something? If its really USD30 per block even at the cash+miles option, I'm better off buying it directly and forgetting the c+m option.
Hope someone can shed some light. :)
I also have an account with zero miles in it - and play around on the web site too!
What I have learnt is that on the itinerary review page if you just buy 1,000 miles, then the cost is USD30
but if you steadily increase the number of miles the cost goes down - until when you are buying the maximum miles allowed the price per 1,000 will be down to the USD12.75 per thousand
TallestHotelInJapan
Jul 22, 12, 10:35 am
Apologies if this has been asked :D
Can you open a LifeMiles account in the UK, and link it to their US credit card?
I have a US bank account that I could link a credit card too...wouldn't mind those free sign up miles...
How do you want to get a US credit card? Even the secured "credit card" requires a US address :rolleyes:
Enigma368
Jul 22, 12, 3:30 pm
What I love about FT is the help people give.
I wouldn't be off to KTM from MAD via BKK if it hadn't been for FT.
Yet my local airport is EDI/GLA.
Or would I really know all about BA offering significantly cheaper fares ex-AMS etc via LHR than from LHR direct?
We are here to share how the system works!
Well said.
If we were all to keep every good deal or kink in the system to ourselves, it would make this whole website rather pointless. The people in this thread who say things like "some people should learn when to shutup" are imho not keeping with the whole sharing nature and spirit of flyertalk.
GoldCircle
Jul 22, 12, 3:56 pm
Ahem.
The Mod has spoken above. No need to comment further, eh?
Shimon
Jul 23, 12, 7:11 am
There are some things you should keep to yourself, for all other things there is flyertalk. ;)
maxbluebrosche
Jul 28, 12, 10:57 am
So this would be something like:
buy initial 2'000 miles - 60USD
trsf 2'000 miles get 4'000 miles - 30USD/Total 90USD
trsf 4'000 miles get 8'000 miles - 60USD/Total 150USD
trsf 8'000 miles get 16'000 miles - 120USD/Total 270USD
trsf 16'000 miles get 32'000 miles - 240USD/Total 510USD
trsf 32'000 miles get 64'000 miles - 480USD/Total 990USD
GBM
Anyone did that the last couple of days ?
Someone reported that after last weekend (22.07) you also won't be able to RECEIVE more than 50.000 in total on one account ?
Richelieu
Jul 28, 12, 2:13 pm
Back to the point of this thread, I have perused the earning side of the programs, which AFAIHR isn't mentionned here.
Some points I thought might interest readers:
1. First class doesn't earn you 300% but 150%-200% depending on airlines. Not that I thing most of us are regular paid F flyers, but there had be some MR opportunities in US domestic F in the past, which won't be very interesting in LM.
2. Swiss Business Class has appealing earnings (125%). I happen to like that airline a lot, so I am less than happy. Generally, you don't earn 200% in Business Class unless paying full fare, generally 125-175% seems to be the average.
3. Discounted Business on LH (P) doesn't earn you anything. Since the chart is recent (as LM joined recently), I think it's deliberate (they already knew about P at the time of drawing the chart).
4. Minimum earnings for business class aren't majored if my reading is good. Some connecting flights on European carriers will have a poorer overall return that what might hope.
For example, one would get a free Europe-Japan flight in J after flying 55,000 miles with Swiss when crediting to A3 vs 104,000 when crediting to LM (or 42,000 + cash, but the cash part would be significant). It's possible I hit the worst possible case of earn/burn rate by using a single combination. Further tests are needed to evaluate the benefits of the program overall.
Note that, availability present, buying miles directly and topping with C+M options seems to beat buying tickets for intra-european flights any day if there's no YQ charged.
AA_EXP09
Jul 28, 12, 2:41 pm
CM is better for another thing though. =D
Richelieu
Jul 28, 12, 8:27 pm
CM is better for another thing though. =D
Did I miss anything obvious? I was just mentionning this because of YQ that makes up a very significant part of the ticket price within Europe, but I didn't pretend to be exhaustive! Please point out the finer points of C+M!
Globalist
Jul 29, 12, 12:34 am
Checked the program but for me it does not seem close to being the new DC.
Sure no YQ is good, but their own metal requirement makes it less interesting. Especially as i am in an area not served by them.
I do generally use paid F on TG and the measily 150% at Avianca is easily beaten by the 300% on A3 who also dont have an own metal requirement to reach status.
Globalist
Richelieu
Jul 29, 12, 1:22 am
Sure no YQ is good, but their own metal requirement makes it less interesting. Especially as i am in an area not served by them.
I do generally use paid F
If used to travelling upfront, do you care about status when there's no elite bonus on miles? Even as a lowly J traveler mostly, I find that I don't care about status that much (except in the US where lounge access isn't linked to class of travel).
Handling of irrops is usually better, but airlines tend to favour their own elites before the one from other alliances.
mmdpkaaa
Jul 30, 12, 4:55 am
has anyone had success using an Amex to purchase the miles? Tried using my BA Amex PP but it was declined :-(
cmcbugg
Jul 30, 12, 5:20 am
has anyone had success using an Amex to purchase the miles? Tried using my BA Amex PP but it was declined :-(
My BA and Lloyds AMEX cards have both gone through fine.
Boddingtons
Jul 31, 12, 4:18 am
Anyone transferred miles today?
At least one person I know has only received the x1 transfer.
lsed
Jul 31, 12, 5:38 am
Me
Agent said to wait for the team to come in at 9am to get my miles posted.
I'll wait it out to see if they fix the problem
Otherwise I'll have 6 more transactions to do before i hit my target
Boddingtons
Jul 31, 12, 6:00 am
Me
Agent said to wait for the team to come in at 9am to get my miles posted.
I'll wait it out to see if they fix the problem
Otherwise I'll have 6 more transactions to do before i hit my target
Do report back as to the outcome of your discussions with the call centre. Particularly if they are able to transfer the miles straight away.
Shimon
Jul 31, 12, 6:04 am
Hmmm that sucks... was going to buy up today.
swissytrader
Jul 31, 12, 6:34 am
Me
Agent said to wait for the team to come in at 9am to get my miles posted.
I'll wait it out to see if they fix the problem
Otherwise I'll have 6 more transactions to do before i hit my target
I also only received X1 transfer today.
How did you contact them ?
KRS
Jul 31, 12, 6:56 am
Same discussion "where it belongs (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other-north-south-america-frequent-flyer-programs/1359201-avianca-taca-lifemiles-may-best-program-star.html)" :)
GoldCircle
Jul 31, 12, 7:45 am
In an effort to encourage bmi posters looking for new *A homes to investigate new programmes, and understanding that we all take comfort in the shared understanding embedded in our bmi community, the Mods have left this thread open for a while to stimulate interest and placing of roots elsewhere.
It is now time to continue discussion of this programme elsewhere: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other-north-south-america-frequent-flyer-programs-472/