Jan 1, 2014, 5:17 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
NOTE: This thread has been superseded by the thread entitled LM F and J routes (and the occasional trick-it) Rebooted v2.0. Please follow the discussion there.
Region definitions
C1 North America
C1.5 Caribbean, Bermuda
C2 Europe
C2.5 Middle East
C3 Asia
C4 South America
C5 Africa
C6 Oceania
2X, 3X: in the context of this LifeMiles thread, 2X and 3X refer to any 2nd and 3rd legs of a one-way award ticket.
LifeMiles' Star Alliance Award Chart
Cash & Miles redemptions: buying the max (60%) isn't always the best deal (unless you're purchasing all miles right there). Check here for the best CPM.
Beware of Cabotage: LifeMiles has been known to issue tickets that constitute Cabotage, and at least one instance of denied boarding has been reported, stranding the passenger. An easily-seen example is travel on Copa from LAX to SJU (via PTY).
Region definitions
C1 North America
C1.5 Caribbean, Bermuda
C2 Europe
C2.5 Middle East
C3 Asia
C4 South America
C5 Africa
C6 Oceania
2X, 3X: in the context of this LifeMiles thread, 2X and 3X refer to any 2nd and 3rd legs of a one-way award ticket.
LifeMiles' Star Alliance Award Chart
Cash & Miles redemptions: buying the max (60%) isn't always the best deal (unless you're purchasing all miles right there). Check here for the best CPM.
Beware of Cabotage: LifeMiles has been known to issue tickets that constitute Cabotage, and at least one instance of denied boarding has been reported, stranding the passenger. An easily-seen example is travel on Copa from LAX to SJU (via PTY).
LM F and J routes (and the occasional trick-it)
Apr 10, 2014, 6:50 pm
#1876
Ambassador: LATAM
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: PNA
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 4,648
OK there appears to be a stack of J inventory missing. You cannot even book straight up IAD FRA in J and connections via BRU for example are rare as chicken lips.
I am seeing chains whores for 25K in J but via C2.5 in Nov so it still has a pulse
I am seeing chains whores for 25K in J but via C2.5 in Nov so it still has a pulse
Apr 10, 2014, 6:55 pm
#1877
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 48
They must be cleaning house. I wish I wouldn't have waisted a cc app on this thinking the old tricks would still work
Apr 10, 2014, 7:09 pm
#1878
Ambassador: LATAM
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: PNA
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 4,648
Apr 10, 2014, 8:07 pm
#1879
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SEA
Programs: DL-PM
Posts: 170
Mods to the LM programming
There definitely seems to be some level of fixing going on. Can see individual segments on the same flights that I have previously booked, but the whole itinerary does not show up.
They haven't fixed the zone for Chain, because Chain to C2 prices at the C1 C2 level.
They haven't fixed the zone for Chain, because Chain to C2 prices at the C1 C2 level.
Apr 10, 2014, 10:26 pm
#1880
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: A3 *G, AA exePlat, AS MVP 75k Gold, JL sapphire, UA silver
Posts: 4,035
dead. cant find anything. individual segment show up, search as a city pair. no more.
no Y, no J. nah nah nah.
i am stuck with 60K miles. oh well. this is fun while it lasts.
no Y, no J. nah nah nah.
i am stuck with 60K miles. oh well. this is fun while it lasts.
Apr 10, 2014, 11:52 pm
#1881
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: SPG Plat 100, A3*G
Posts: 678
We're talking about 2 tricks here, right? Gummy and chainsaw?
or more?
or more?
Last edited by zagy; Apr 11, 2014 at 1:09 am Reason: typo
Apr 11, 2014, 1:10 am
#1882
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Valencia, Spain
Programs: Pascal and Python, no C++
Posts: 738
We're talking about everything here, zagy.
There seems to be a massive reduction in availability, even for very simple untricked routes.
It seems to be a combination of factors, but it can be safely said that flights via the hubs in C1 are most affected.
There have been changes at the capacity *A partners make available to LM, and for sure it didn't help that lots of people tried to use up their US miles before the alliance change. (they've been right if you look at the program changes AA immediately introduced)
But there's another element at work: The infamous Avianca route replacer we've already written about.
It seems to try to take over more routes than before, and if Avianca doesn't offer availability, so does the whole system.
You can see this by searching for LHR-EWR availability in economy class on April 15: if you go with Smart Search, you will see the unmistakable sign that Avianca tries to serve that route - the different layout. No availability.
If you search the same date with UA as prefered airline, you will only see availability in first class (because Avianca doesn't offer that).
However if you search the same date with "Star Alliance", you will see lots of UA flights available in all three classes!!!
This shows that the Avianca replacer algorithm targets direct flights where a prefered airline is specified.
This kills some of the routes from/to C1/C2 hubs where Avianca/Taca operate, when UA or AC has to be set.
It also seems to target flight segments of connection flights, even when StarAlliance is specified (see chainsaw).
Hence if neither origin nor destination is served by Avianca, but a segment in the middle of the route is, and if the whole route can't be played in first, we're in trouble. In more trouble than before, with the anyway already scarce availabilty...
I don't think this deliberately went against our friendly Chainy Bears. But the effect is just the same.
There seems to be a massive reduction in availability, even for very simple untricked routes.
It seems to be a combination of factors, but it can be safely said that flights via the hubs in C1 are most affected.
There have been changes at the capacity *A partners make available to LM, and for sure it didn't help that lots of people tried to use up their US miles before the alliance change. (they've been right if you look at the program changes AA immediately introduced)
But there's another element at work: The infamous Avianca route replacer we've already written about.
It seems to try to take over more routes than before, and if Avianca doesn't offer availability, so does the whole system.
You can see this by searching for LHR-EWR availability in economy class on April 15: if you go with Smart Search, you will see the unmistakable sign that Avianca tries to serve that route - the different layout. No availability.
If you search the same date with UA as prefered airline, you will only see availability in first class (because Avianca doesn't offer that).
However if you search the same date with "Star Alliance", you will see lots of UA flights available in all three classes!!!
This shows that the Avianca replacer algorithm targets direct flights where a prefered airline is specified.
This kills some of the routes from/to C1/C2 hubs where Avianca/Taca operate, when UA or AC has to be set.
It also seems to target flight segments of connection flights, even when StarAlliance is specified (see chainsaw).
Hence if neither origin nor destination is served by Avianca, but a segment in the middle of the route is, and if the whole route can't be played in first, we're in trouble. In more trouble than before, with the anyway already scarce availabilty...
I don't think this deliberately went against our friendly Chainy Bears. But the effect is just the same.
Last edited by WolfvanWeen; Apr 11, 2014 at 2:03 am Reason: found some evidence
Apr 11, 2014, 5:12 am
#1883
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: FRA/MUC/NUE
Programs: M&M SEN, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 315
I can still get F availability on a lot of HC flights.
I don't quite get why CS is not working any more.
Not even in Y.
edit: see below.
I don't quite get why CS is not working any more.
Not even in Y.
edit: see below.
Apr 11, 2014, 5:14 am
#1884
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: FRA/MUC/NUE
Programs: M&M SEN, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 315
CS has not been fixed. 100%.
I have got a working route. Target is also outzoned, but got availability.
edit: Same with Gummybear. Can get the above target to gummy. Not a lot of availability, but still possible.
I have got a working route. Target is also outzoned, but got availability.
edit: Same with Gummybear. Can get the above target to gummy. Not a lot of availability, but still possible.
Last edited by FlyingLasse; Apr 11, 2014 at 5:20 am
Apr 11, 2014, 5:36 am
#1885
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Valencia, Spain
Programs: Pascal and Python, no C++
Posts: 738
Have you read my post, the one above yours? It explains why you see F but have difficulty with Y and C. And why some very different destinations will work.
Apr 11, 2014, 5:54 am
#1886
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: FRA/MUC/NUE
Programs: M&M SEN, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 315
Apr 11, 2014, 10:03 am
#1887
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA. UA 1K, reluctant but * best in class * DL FO/MM. Former BA jumpseat rider and scourge of Dilbertian management and apologists. As LX might - and do - say: "....an experienced frequent flyer of international airlines"
Posts: 3,386
If it were dead in J then why would it not also be dead in Y?
Whilst I am not finding anything in J, I am finding a lot of AV where you wouldn't expect it. For example, it was pretty easy to find BOG FRA in J on LH before, now it is BOG LHR AV followed by LHR FRA LH.
Also MIA to TYO via LIM on AV then back up to IAH on UA
That's just plain daft
I think it is just LM being crap at IT and fiddling with inventory
Whilst I am not finding anything in J, I am finding a lot of AV where you wouldn't expect it. For example, it was pretty easy to find BOG FRA in J on LH before, now it is BOG LHR AV followed by LHR FRA LH.
Also MIA to TYO via LIM on AV then back up to IAH on UA
That's just plain daftI think it is just LM being crap at IT and fiddling with inventory
Apr 11, 2014, 12:14 pm
#1888
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: JAX
Posts: 16
Routing Question
I have a routing question and would appreciate the help of one of the LM gurus here, but I can't think of a good way to code it to not give away a trick. Anyone care to PM me and assist?
Apr 12, 2014, 7:08 am
#1889
Join Date: May 2012
Location: BSL/FRA
Programs: UA 1K, TK*G (not matched)
Posts: 160
^^^^^
^^^^^
We're talking about everything here, zagy.
There seems to be a massive reduction in availability, even for very simple untricked routes.
It seems to be a combination of factors, but it can be safely said that flights via the hubs in C1 are most affected.
There have been changes at the capacity *A partners make available to LM, and for sure it didn't help that lots of people tried to use up their US miles before the alliance change. (they've been right if you look at the program changes AA immediately introduced)
But there's another element at work: The infamous Avianca route replacer we've already written about.
It seems to try to take over more routes than before, and if Avianca doesn't offer availability, so does the whole system.
You can see this by searching for LHR-EWR availability in economy class on April 15: if you go with Smart Search, you will see the unmistakable sign that Avianca tries to serve that route - the different layout. No availability.
If you search the same date with UA as prefered airline, you will only see availability in first class (because Avianca doesn't offer that).
However if you search the same date with "Star Alliance", you will see lots of UA flights available in all three classes!!!
This shows that the Avianca replacer algorithm targets direct flights where a prefered airline is specified.
This kills some of the routes from/to C1/C2 hubs where Avianca/Taca operate, when UA or AC has to be set.
It also seems to target flight segments of connection flights, even when StarAlliance is specified (see chainsaw).
Hence if neither origin nor destination is served by Avianca, but a segment in the middle of the route is, and if the whole route can't be played in first, we're in trouble. In more trouble than before, with the anyway already scarce availabilty...
I don't think this deliberately went against our friendly Chainy Bears. But the effect is just the same.
There seems to be a massive reduction in availability, even for very simple untricked routes.
It seems to be a combination of factors, but it can be safely said that flights via the hubs in C1 are most affected.
There have been changes at the capacity *A partners make available to LM, and for sure it didn't help that lots of people tried to use up their US miles before the alliance change. (they've been right if you look at the program changes AA immediately introduced)
But there's another element at work: The infamous Avianca route replacer we've already written about.
It seems to try to take over more routes than before, and if Avianca doesn't offer availability, so does the whole system.
You can see this by searching for LHR-EWR availability in economy class on April 15: if you go with Smart Search, you will see the unmistakable sign that Avianca tries to serve that route - the different layout. No availability.
If you search the same date with UA as prefered airline, you will only see availability in first class (because Avianca doesn't offer that).
However if you search the same date with "Star Alliance", you will see lots of UA flights available in all three classes!!!
This shows that the Avianca replacer algorithm targets direct flights where a prefered airline is specified.
This kills some of the routes from/to C1/C2 hubs where Avianca/Taca operate, when UA or AC has to be set.
It also seems to target flight segments of connection flights, even when StarAlliance is specified (see chainsaw).
Hence if neither origin nor destination is served by Avianca, but a segment in the middle of the route is, and if the whole route can't be played in first, we're in trouble. In more trouble than before, with the anyway already scarce availabilty...
I don't think this deliberately went against our friendly Chainy Bears. But the effect is just the same.
Apr 12, 2014, 11:46 am
#1890
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Australia
Programs: QF, LM, AA,VA Silver, Qatar, Accor Gold, CC Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott B Plat
Posts: 535
Hi All,
I'm looking for C6 - C3 in J for late May. Could you please PM me if anyone knows of any tricks.
I'm looking for C6 - C3 in J for late May. Could you please PM me if anyone knows of any tricks.