Last edit by: Tokyoite
Please do your homework before buying Lifemiles. It is what it is... for some that's useful, for others it's not.
Biggest complaints are about
- mixed class bookings are available but now many of the suitable connections dont show
- not being able to book anything that isn't available online (there are work-arounds, see screenshot method below)
- the quality of the call center (English speaking agents are scarce, you might get thrown in a loop with call transfers within their call center)
- no stopovers (>24H) or open jaws, but you can book one way awards
- no reservations on Certain subsidiaries of Star Alliance carriers (Lufthansa Cityline, Germanwings)
Problems with ticketing / lack of confirmation screen or email
- write down the confirmation number shown on the screen after confirming your purchase.
check here: http://serviciosenlinea.avianca.com/...doReserva.aspx
Sometimes, even if you cannot see the PNR, the record may have been created, so better to call them and give them flight details you were trying to book. They can find the PNR from those details.
- ticketing usually takes place within 10-15 min of booking
- but it may also take up to 2 days
- if miles have been deducted from your account and a temporary authorization has been placed on your CC, you're probably fine even if you did not see a confirmation screen
- if no e-ticket number is visible on checkmytrip.com after two days, you should contact LifeMiles. You can expedite the ticketing by emailing with your booking reference to: [email protected] after you have booked, especially if you have booked last minute flights, and need ticketing straight away
Screenshot method.
So, on a date you are looking for in the future, there is availability for LAX-NRT and NRT-BKK. But not LAX-NRT-BKK.
It may be a case of the LM system not offering the through connection.
Take three screen shots - two 'available' screen shots for LAX-NRT and NRT-BKK and the 'not available' screen for LAX-BKK.
Send them all off with a scan of your passport page (PDF) and LM will make the booking manually for you.
Send to these two email addresses, and CC yourself (just for your records)
[email protected]
[email protected]
Sample email:
====
Email topic: Urgent request for booking Lifemiles Award
====
Dear Sirs,
I have tried several times, over several days, but the following itinerary does not show on the website.
Please see the three attached screenshots I took just now.
Please do the manual booking First Class/Business class for xx,000 miles. (*Know how many miles the whole award should cost-here, to avoid surprises once ticketed)
The availability is only 1 seat for this date, so please process this request urgently before it is gone.
Los Angeles (LAX) - Bangkok (BKK)
Saturday August 11th 2018
NH 175 connecting to NH 807
(*Provide the specific flight numbers you want, to avoid surprises once ticketed)
My passport copy (Number xxxx, expiry 20xx/xx/xx, Nationality xxx) is attached in this email.
LifeMiles Number: xxx
First Name: xxx
Last name: xxx
Date of Birth: Month, date, year
Gender: Male/Female
Email: xxxx
Phone Number: +1-xxxx
Regards,
XXX
=========
Biggest complaints are about
- mixed class bookings are available but now many of the suitable connections dont show
- not being able to book anything that isn't available online (there are work-arounds, see screenshot method below)
- the quality of the call center (English speaking agents are scarce, you might get thrown in a loop with call transfers within their call center)
- no stopovers (>24H) or open jaws, but you can book one way awards
- no reservations on Certain subsidiaries of Star Alliance carriers (Lufthansa Cityline, Germanwings)
Problems with ticketing / lack of confirmation screen or email
- write down the confirmation number shown on the screen after confirming your purchase.
check here: http://serviciosenlinea.avianca.com/...doReserva.aspx
Sometimes, even if you cannot see the PNR, the record may have been created, so better to call them and give them flight details you were trying to book. They can find the PNR from those details.
- ticketing usually takes place within 10-15 min of booking
- but it may also take up to 2 days
- if miles have been deducted from your account and a temporary authorization has been placed on your CC, you're probably fine even if you did not see a confirmation screen
- if no e-ticket number is visible on checkmytrip.com after two days, you should contact LifeMiles. You can expedite the ticketing by emailing with your booking reference to: [email protected] after you have booked, especially if you have booked last minute flights, and need ticketing straight away
Screenshot method.
So, on a date you are looking for in the future, there is availability for LAX-NRT and NRT-BKK. But not LAX-NRT-BKK.
It may be a case of the LM system not offering the through connection.
Take three screen shots - two 'available' screen shots for LAX-NRT and NRT-BKK and the 'not available' screen for LAX-BKK.
Send them all off with a scan of your passport page (PDF) and LM will make the booking manually for you.
Send to these two email addresses, and CC yourself (just for your records)
[email protected]
[email protected]
Sample email:
====
Email topic: Urgent request for booking Lifemiles Award
====
Dear Sirs,
I have tried several times, over several days, but the following itinerary does not show on the website.
Please see the three attached screenshots I took just now.
Please do the manual booking First Class/Business class for xx,000 miles. (*Know how many miles the whole award should cost-here, to avoid surprises once ticketed)
The availability is only 1 seat for this date, so please process this request urgently before it is gone.
Los Angeles (LAX) - Bangkok (BKK)
Saturday August 11th 2018
NH 175 connecting to NH 807
(*Provide the specific flight numbers you want, to avoid surprises once ticketed)
My passport copy (Number xxxx, expiry 20xx/xx/xx, Nationality xxx) is attached in this email.
LifeMiles Number: xxx
First Name: xxx
Last name: xxx
Date of Birth: Month, date, year
Gender: Male/Female
Email: xxxx
Phone Number: +1-xxxx
Regards,
XXX
=========
Lifemiles serious booking problems - Beware (old legacy thread)
#16
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Alabama
Programs: Not care as much as before...
Posts: 329
another bug:
After you searched some flight, enter some passenger details, proceed to payment, if you QUIT at this time and go back to search this flight again, they will be GONE! takes couple days to back?
basically it means when you see it, book it.
After you searched some flight, enter some passenger details, proceed to payment, if you QUIT at this time and go back to search this flight again, they will be GONE! takes couple days to back?
basically it means when you see it, book it.
#17
That's not a bug... you are
What happens is that the awards are taken out of the inventory to ensure that when you are done with entering your details and payment the flights would be still available. It then takes a while to get them back into the inventory...
What happens is that the awards are taken out of the inventory to ensure that when you are done with entering your details and payment the flights would be still available. It then takes a while to get them back into the inventory...
#18
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Alabama
Programs: Not care as much as before...
Posts: 329
But I actually even didn't enter cc info and just search.
#19
Not really... wouldn't you be a little pissed if in the in the time it took you to enter your personal details and the payment info the flight would be gone, not to mention after the credit card info was collected or approved.
This happens on most airline bookings but due to the limited award inventory you now see it.
This happens on most airline bookings but due to the limited award inventory you now see it.
#21
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Melbourne/Bangkok
Programs: A3*G, QF PLATINUM, BA GOLD, VA GOLD, HH DIAMOND
Posts: 2,245
At this point you have a booking, its just not paid for yet. Why would you go so far as to submiting passenger details then quitting ?
#22
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SYDNEY
Programs: *A Gold, HH dia,Hyatt plat,Sixt PLAT,QF , EY Gold
Posts: 1,890
Still not working for me. 3 different segments won't price out
Sorry, There was problem while processing your transaction.
Please try again.If the problem persists or you need additional information please contact LifeMiles Support.
Sorry, There was problem while processing your transaction.
Please try again.If the problem persists or you need additional information please contact LifeMiles Support.
#23
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Melbourne/Bangkok
Programs: A3*G, QF PLATINUM, BA GOLD, VA GOLD, HH DIAMOND
Posts: 2,245
#24
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: A3 *G, AA exePlat, AS MVP 75k Gold, JL sapphire, UA silver
Posts: 4,024
#25
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 2
I got same problem as you. I can not redeem the flight, I don't know what is the matter.
#26
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: TGU
Programs: Lm silver / MileagePlus / Aadvantage / Amex platinum / stargold points silver
Posts: 266
Ok lifemiles it's the worst program I have ever seen, I have had problems several times using miles, I once had to pay a lot of money for an emergency because they couldn't redeem the problem, I also have a lifemiles credit card which gives e coupons for upgrades and every single year I have to fight for them, this year I reported the problem in October and they gave the coupons just one week ago.
#27
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: 048′24″N 17636′59″W
Programs: Taiwan is a country.
Posts: 1,206
If you don't like Lifemiles, you're using it wrong.
The online engine is "buggy", but that works in your favour if you're in the know.
Don't PM me as I won't put you in the know, there is enough info floating around as it is.
But you will never see cheaper Business Class tickets across an ocean than you will from Lifemiles.:-:
The online engine is "buggy", but that works in your favour if you're in the know.
Don't PM me as I won't put you in the know, there is enough info floating around as it is.
But you will never see cheaper Business Class tickets across an ocean than you will from Lifemiles.:-:
#28
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: New York Metropolitan Area 45 km from JFK
Programs: UA,AA,AS,BA
Posts: 4,607
Meant as joke and only to make a point but understand.
Last edited by WingedWorldExplorer; Jan 3, 2013 at 8:30 am
#29
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Hilton Diamond, working on OZ Diamond, previously AA EXP, UA 1K, AS MVP75
Posts: 255
online booking thing is as buggy as it gets. No idea how to turn that into my favor. Customer service is even worse, they won't even waive phone charges because web engine not working. They never even acknowledge the problems either , the agent told me website is fine and to use a different computer when the website is obcously NOT FINE