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NOTE: This thread has been superseded by the thread entitled LM F and J routes (and the occasional trick-it) Rebooted v2.0.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)
Dec 10, 2013, 12:59 pm
#781
Ambassador: LATAM
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: PNA
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 4,648
Last time I booked flights to Russia straight up without a vacation package, I get turned down for a visa unless someone could physically go to a police station in Moscow and formally invite me. I ended up going on a business visa as a management consultant in a Siberian coffin factory
Needs must I guess.So how has the situation improved now? Genuine question.
Dec 10, 2013, 1:21 pm
#782
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: BKK, CDG, TLS
Programs: QR G, A3 G, EK G, IHG Amb, GHA Black, WOH LT something
Posts: 1,306
no you can actually book the hotel / flights on your own without a travel agency. I did it a couple years ago without any problems.
Dec 10, 2013, 1:49 pm
#783
Ambassador: LATAM
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: PNA
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 4,648
Cool thanks. So you just walk into the consulate and ask for a visa like any other country now?
Dec 10, 2013, 3:22 pm
#784
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: HAM
Programs: A few
Posts: 213
Only thing that has improved are that the specialised visa agencies do all the letterwork for you, so you just send them your passport, they make up a package holiday and do the official invitation letter, and go to the embassy for you.
Still no way to simply walk into an embassy (at least within the EU) and walk out with a visa, without the invitation.
And don't even ask about getting business visa, our last - official even - trips to some clients were a mess to set up...
Dec 10, 2013, 3:53 pm
#785
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: UK oop north
Programs: BMI Diamond Club RIP,BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,692
But it doesn't matter, at initial check-in, the airline will make sure you are able to enter Russia, as this is the ticket purchased. If you cannot enter Russia, they will deny you boarding at the initial check-in point. If you tell them you are missing the flight that arrives in Russia, you are, "most likely", breaking the contract of carriage, which will also likely get your ticket canceled at the initial check-in point.
Dec 10, 2013, 4:11 pm
#786
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: A3&O6 Gold,IC AMB & HH Diamond
Posts: 14,132
Why would you go through all that hassle?
Dec 10, 2013, 8:42 pm
#788
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
For some passport holders this can be easy (especially if routing through PEK) as you are required to clear Chinese customs there.
(comment if I am giving too much information.)
(comment if I am giving too much information.)
Dec 12, 2013, 1:19 pm
#789
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, HH Gold, SPG Gold, National EC Executive, AA Platinum
Posts: 606
Any suggestions for shorter router or less miles for a flight from LAX to SYD? I can only find 25-hour flights, o/w, business, for 67,500.
Thanks, I appreciate it.
Thanks, I appreciate it.
Dec 12, 2013, 1:50 pm
#790
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: Flying: VA; Buying: AA, AS, AV, BA, UA!
Posts: 2,349
Presumably that's on OZ via ICN? Unlikely to find anything else unless UA opens a seat...still 67.5k though.
Dec 13, 2013, 1:49 pm
#792
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: SPG Plat 100, A3*G
Posts: 678
I have the following tip booked next week:
MXP-DXB-ADL (Dec 19th)
BNE-ADL-DXB-MXP (Jan 7th)
Booked with QF/EK in Y...
After some very long flights in Y in the last few months I'm kind of terrified of this trip with 6 + 12/13 hours in Economy. I'm also worried that after having a really cool Australia trip planned, the Economy plane ticket part might ruin the experience
Upgrades to Business on the existing ticket is a no-go as it would cost about 5-6.000€ for two people.
The cancellation fee for my existing ticket seems to be 150€ per ticket, so looking at the double miles promo, I was hoping I might pull a last minute miracle and find something in Business by combining 150.000 miles with cash.
It seems that I might actually find something for the first part (around 18th) but the way back seems more tricky.
Any suggestions on routes and/or optimizations? VIE, BUD, MXP, MUC are doable for me and I can always buy an extra Y ticket for an internal AU trip if needed to depart from a different airport.
I'd really appreciate any help...
MXP-DXB-ADL (Dec 19th)
BNE-ADL-DXB-MXP (Jan 7th)
Booked with QF/EK in Y...
After some very long flights in Y in the last few months I'm kind of terrified of this trip with 6 + 12/13 hours in Economy. I'm also worried that after having a really cool Australia trip planned, the Economy plane ticket part might ruin the experience
Upgrades to Business on the existing ticket is a no-go as it would cost about 5-6.000€ for two people.
The cancellation fee for my existing ticket seems to be 150€ per ticket, so looking at the double miles promo, I was hoping I might pull a last minute miracle and find something in Business by combining 150.000 miles with cash.
It seems that I might actually find something for the first part (around 18th) but the way back seems more tricky.
Any suggestions on routes and/or optimizations? VIE, BUD, MXP, MUC are doable for me and I can always buy an extra Y ticket for an internal AU trip if needed to depart from a different airport.
I'd really appreciate any help...
Dec 13, 2013, 2:16 pm
#793
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: A3&O6 Gold,IC AMB & HH Diamond
Posts: 14,132
I have the following tip booked next week:
MXP-DXB-ADL (Dec 19th)
BNE-ADL-DXB-MXP (Jan 7th)
Booked with QF/EK in Y...
After some very long flights in Y in the last few months I'm kind of terrified of this trip with 6 + 12/13 hours in Economy. I'm also worried that after having a really cool Australia trip planned, the Economy plane ticket part might ruin the experience
Upgrades to Business on the existing ticket is a no-go as it would cost about 5-6.000€ for two people.
The cancellation fee for my existing ticket seems to be 150€ per ticket, so looking at the double miles promo, I was hoping I might pull a last minute miracle and find something in Business by combining 150.000 miles with cash.
It seems that I might actually find something for the first part (around 18th) but the way back seems more tricky.
Any suggestions on routes and/or optimizations? VIE, BUD, MXP, MUC are doable for me and I can always buy an extra Y ticket for an internal AU trip if needed to depart from a different airport.
I'd really appreciate any help...
MXP-DXB-ADL (Dec 19th)
BNE-ADL-DXB-MXP (Jan 7th)
Booked with QF/EK in Y...
After some very long flights in Y in the last few months I'm kind of terrified of this trip with 6 + 12/13 hours in Economy. I'm also worried that after having a really cool Australia trip planned, the Economy plane ticket part might ruin the experience
Upgrades to Business on the existing ticket is a no-go as it would cost about 5-6.000€ for two people.
The cancellation fee for my existing ticket seems to be 150€ per ticket, so looking at the double miles promo, I was hoping I might pull a last minute miracle and find something in Business by combining 150.000 miles with cash.
It seems that I might actually find something for the first part (around 18th) but the way back seems more tricky.
Any suggestions on routes and/or optimizations? VIE, BUD, MXP, MUC are doable for me and I can always buy an extra Y ticket for an internal AU trip if needed to depart from a different airport.
I'd really appreciate any help...
Dec 13, 2013, 2:41 pm
#794
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: SPG Plat 100, A3*G
Posts: 678
Not exactly an encouraging answer 
So I've found various destinations in Europe to Australia for 70.000 miles + 1100€ one way on Dec 17th and 18th but the way back is a challenge.
Nothing direct seems to be available around 7th (and I have to be back before the weekend for my mother's birthday
). Any suggestions on in-direct routes?
So I've found various destinations in Europe to Australia for 70.000 miles + 1100€ one way on Dec 17th and 18th but the way back is a challenge.
Nothing direct seems to be available around 7th (and I have to be back before the weekend for my mother's birthday
). Any suggestions on in-direct routes?
Dec 13, 2013, 4:58 pm
#795
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: A3&O6 Gold,IC AMB & HH Diamond
Posts: 14,132
Not exactly an encouraging answer
So I've found various destinations in Europe to Australia for 70.000 miles + 1100€ one way on Dec 17th and 18th but the way back is a challenge.
Nothing direct seems to be available around 7th (and I have to be back before the weekend for my mother's birthday). Any suggestions on in-direct routes?
So I've found various destinations in Europe to Australia for 70.000 miles + 1100€ one way on Dec 17th and 18th but the way back is a challenge.
Nothing direct seems to be available around 7th (and I have to be back before the weekend for my mother's birthday
). Any suggestions on in-direct routes?