Cancelling Avianca Award Flights - Not flying is cheaper than buying miles
Apr 13, 2013, 12:16 pm
#34
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: SIN
Programs: BA Executive Club, SQ Krisflyer
Posts: 356
I tried to cancel tickets before and it was utterly utterly useless.
Here's some discrepancies I've had:
1. Before putting thru to the CC system, they asked for my address and some form of ID number (Eg passport).
2. Sometimes they ask for the PIN number. I've set the PIN number NUMEROUS times, and it still fails (even without #). No idea why. Apparently new PINs only take effect 2 hours after it is set (!!!).
3. Their payment gateway seems to be down at random hours, and they dont like to tell you that until you spend 20-30 mins giving them all the details. Then they ask you to call back 7-8 hrs later.
Thats my gripe with LM. If you are absolutely sure with your booking, then its a god-send. Otherwise, good luck. And oh, they refused to do anything on the ticket when my colleague in Mexico tried to help me to call them to cancel the ticket.
Here's some discrepancies I've had:
1. Before putting thru to the CC system, they asked for my address and some form of ID number (Eg passport).
2. Sometimes they ask for the PIN number. I've set the PIN number NUMEROUS times, and it still fails (even without #). No idea why. Apparently new PINs only take effect 2 hours after it is set (!!!).
3. Their payment gateway seems to be down at random hours, and they dont like to tell you that until you spend 20-30 mins giving them all the details. Then they ask you to call back 7-8 hrs later.
Thats my gripe with LM. If you are absolutely sure with your booking, then its a god-send. Otherwise, good luck. And oh, they refused to do anything on the ticket when my colleague in Mexico tried to help me to call them to cancel the ticket.
Apr 13, 2013, 2:20 pm
#35
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 325
I tried to cancel tickets before and it was utterly utterly useless.
Here's some discrepancies I've had:
1. Before putting thru to the CC system, they asked for my address and some form of ID number (Eg passport).
2. Sometimes they ask for the PIN number. I've set the PIN number NUMEROUS times, and it still fails (even without #). No idea why. Apparently new PINs only take effect 2 hours after it is set (!!!).
3. Their payment gateway seems to be down at random hours, and they dont like to tell you that until you spend 20-30 mins giving them all the details. Then they ask you to call back 7-8 hrs later.
Thats my gripe with LM. If you are absolutely sure with your booking, then its a god-send. Otherwise, good luck. And oh, they refused to do anything on the ticket when my colleague in Mexico tried to help me to call them to cancel the ticket.
Here's some discrepancies I've had:
1. Before putting thru to the CC system, they asked for my address and some form of ID number (Eg passport).
2. Sometimes they ask for the PIN number. I've set the PIN number NUMEROUS times, and it still fails (even without #). No idea why. Apparently new PINs only take effect 2 hours after it is set (!!!).
3. Their payment gateway seems to be down at random hours, and they dont like to tell you that until you spend 20-30 mins giving them all the details. Then they ask you to call back 7-8 hrs later.
Thats my gripe with LM. If you are absolutely sure with your booking, then its a god-send. Otherwise, good luck. And oh, they refused to do anything on the ticket when my colleague in Mexico tried to help me to call them to cancel the ticket.
Where are you setting your PIN?
Apr 13, 2013, 6:01 pm
#36
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ, UA, Delta, BMI(RIP), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond (Thanks Amex) Hyatt Discov
Posts: 1,942
On the profile page once you log in to Lifemiles.
Go to Your Lifemiles
Your information & Preferences link on the left
https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/mya/myp/mypaccinf.aspx
Go to Your Lifemiles
Your information & Preferences link on the left
https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/mya/myp/mypaccinf.aspx
Apr 24, 2013, 1:52 am
#37
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 102
i just cancelled 2 tickets. This is not the first time I cancelled an Avianca Award ticket. The first time few month back, the direction was pretty accurate. Today, when i cancelled 2 tickets, up to step 10 was still the same. afterward, they first asked for my billing address of the cc I will use for the cancellation fee. Then it took me their credit card system where it took my cc information. then the guy told me the miles will be credit it back in 72 hours. The taxes will take up to 3 month to be refunded (to the original cc the award flights were booked on). at no point did he verify my PIN. I have to say, i was dreading to do this but it turned out to be a lot easier than last time. I really hope they are improving this process.
Apr 25, 2013, 1:32 pm
#38
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Colorado; Oregon
Programs: BD *G, DL PM, HH Gold
Posts: 287
Thanks to everyone upthread for their contributions, especially the OP!
I was able to quickly and easily cancel a ticket in person at a Taca city ticket office. No problems at all, everything posted immediately and correctly to my account. They were really helpful, so potentially a great option for those with a ticket office nearby.
I was able to quickly and easily cancel a ticket in person at a Taca city ticket office. No problems at all, everything posted immediately and correctly to my account. They were really helpful, so potentially a great option for those with a ticket office nearby.
Apr 25, 2013, 11:07 pm
#39
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: HAJ
Posts: 237
Thanks to everyone upthread for their contributions, especially the OP!
I was able to quickly and easily cancel a ticket in person at a Taca city ticket office. No problems at all, everything posted immediately and correctly to my account. They were really helpful, so potentially a great option for those with a ticket office nearby.
I was able to quickly and easily cancel a ticket in person at a Taca city ticket office. No problems at all, everything posted immediately and correctly to my account. They were really helpful, so potentially a great option for those with a ticket office nearby.
Which ticket office was this?
I will be in Lima in 2 Weeks and i hope this will work like yours.
Apr 28, 2013, 6:15 pm
#40
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: United 1K, HH Diamond, CBP Global Entry
Posts: 732
two data points -- i eventually got the taxes refunded on both of my LIFEMILES award cancellations recently. took over a week, but eventually the credits showed up on my CC (the original one used, not the one used with the $50 fee). but again, the $25 booking fee was not refunded.
Apr 29, 2013, 4:42 pm
#41
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: Flying: VA; Buying: AA, AS, AV, BA, UA!
Posts: 2,349
two data points -- i eventually got the taxes refunded on both of my LIFEMILES award cancellations recently. took over a week, but eventually the credits showed up on my CC (the original one used, not the one used with the $50 fee). but again, the $25 booking fee was not refunded.
Apr 30, 2013, 5:05 am
#42
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: allaroundasia
Programs: LH SEN, SPG Plat.M&S E+
Posts: 222
i just cancelled 2 tickets. This is not the first time I cancelled an Avianca Award ticket. The first time few month back, the direction was pretty accurate. Today, when i cancelled 2 tickets, up to step 10 was still the same. afterward, they first asked for my billing address of the cc I will use for the cancellation fee. Then it took me their credit card system where it took my cc information. then the guy told me the miles will be credit it back in 72 hours. The taxes will take up to 3 month to be refunded (to the original cc the award flights were booked on). at no point did he verify my PIN. I have to say, i was dreading to do this but it turned out to be a lot easier than last time. I really hope they are improving this process.
Did you get miles back to your account when using the miles/more cash option. I heart different answers, so maybe a bit lottery ?
Apr 30, 2013, 5:19 pm
#43
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,385
May 2, 2013, 7:36 am
#44
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
Just cancelled my first award and the experience wasn't bad..... took 23 minutes when calling, there was hardly any input from me during most of that time.
They needed my LM number and then looked up which flights I had. Came up with the right one and then it was to supplying my credit card data though their automated system, after that back to the agent to supply my billing info. And after waiting for another 5 minutes he confirmed the money was charged and he had cancelled my ticket.
Now let's see how long it takes them to send me the confirmation by e-mail and when I get my miles back :-).
They needed my LM number and then looked up which flights I had. Came up with the right one and then it was to supplying my credit card data though their automated system, after that back to the agent to supply my billing info. And after waiting for another 5 minutes he confirmed the money was charged and he had cancelled my ticket.
Now let's see how long it takes them to send me the confirmation by e-mail and when I get my miles back :-).
May 5, 2013, 11:53 pm
#45
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
Never got that confirmation e-mail, but the ticket was cancelled immediately. Took them two days to process the cancellation charge and on day three the miles are back in my account. So far so good, now just waiting for the taxes/fees.
And they did return all miles, my booking was for miles+cash.
And they did return all miles, my booking was for miles+cash.