Last edit by: Tokyoite
Coronawiki (March 2020)
Does anyone know if Lifemiles will waive cancellation fees for an award ticket due to COVID-19 concerns?
Unfortunately, barring an outright flight cancellation, Lifemiles will not waive cancel fees.
Just pay the $200 as a "self caution fee". (nobody is actually preventing you the passenger from flying as you booked).
In the future, it would be wise to invest in travel insurance.
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Transferring Amex MR points will extend expiration of LM. Post #906 confirms this. Expiration date updates overnight, so wait 24 hours after the transferred miles have posted to LM.
LifeMiles' Star Alliance Award Chart
Cash & Miles redemptions: the price per mile purchased during award booking varies significantly depending on how many miles are purchased. The "sweet spots" are between 38% and 58% of the total mileage required, where miles are purchased for 1.5 cents. See here for some examples.
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 example is travel on Avianca from LAX to SJU (via SAL/BOG). For additional information see the WIKI of this thread.
https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/abo/wnb/wnbtercond.aspx
Does anyone know if Lifemiles will waive cancellation fees for an award ticket due to COVID-19 concerns?
Unfortunately, barring an outright flight cancellation, Lifemiles will not waive cancel fees.
Just pay the $200 as a "self caution fee". (nobody is actually preventing you the passenger from flying as you booked).
In the future, it would be wise to invest in travel insurance.
=====
Transferring Amex MR points will extend expiration of LM. Post #906 confirms this. Expiration date updates overnight, so wait 24 hours after the transferred miles have posted to LM.
LifeMiles' Star Alliance Award Chart
Cash & Miles redemptions: the price per mile purchased during award booking varies significantly depending on how many miles are purchased. The "sweet spots" are between 38% and 58% of the total mileage required, where miles are purchased for 1.5 cents. See here for some examples.
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 example is travel on Avianca from LAX to SJU (via SAL/BOG). For additional information see the WIKI of this thread.
https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/abo/wnb/wnbtercond.aspx
Miles Expiration Policy valid from April 15th , 2018.
- Any miles accrual transaction in a members account in the Program extends the validity of the miles in the account of such member for a term of twelve (12) months from the date of such accrual of miles. Other transactions that may affect the balance of miles in a members account, including redemption transactions, will have no effect on them and will not extend the validity of the miles in such account. This general rule will have the following exceptions that extend the validity of such miles in the account of such member for twenty-four (24) months from the date of such accrual: (i) any accrual of miles in a members account with an Elite Status at the time of the accrual; (ii) any accrual of miles derived from a cobranded credit or debit cards under the LifeMiles brand.
- ......the following accrual activities do not extend the validity of the miles in the members account: 1) the birthday bonus or any other miles bonus that may be given by the LifeMiles Program and LifeMiles LTD so establishes.; 2) the migration of points or miles from other loyalty programs to the LifeMiles Program made as a consequence of the union of both loyalty programs or the migration of one member from another loyalty program to the LifeMiles Program; and 3) the merger of accounts of the LifeMiles Program, including those derived from a members duplicate accounts.
LM Newbie Lounge: Ask your Questions Here (Flame Free)
#46
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,835
Oh well, while the wife was doing her make up here in WAW, I had nothing to do and called to claim a few missing flights. (I was saving this for the beach at Koh Samui next week, but..)
Called Avianca US at +18002842622. Spoke with Daniel over Skype. Excellent english, as helpful as as he can get. Took 15 minutes for 3 flights and it would have been quicker if I had the boarding passes in front of me instead of checking my emails for etix numbers, booking classes, dates, seat numbers (!) and so on. He submitted 3 claims with UA, told me this should take a few days to a maximum of 35 days.
Overall, surprisingly good experience, I will update when I get the miles posted. The guy even knew what SWU was.
Called Avianca US at +18002842622. Spoke with Daniel over Skype. Excellent english, as helpful as as he can get. Took 15 minutes for 3 flights and it would have been quicker if I had the boarding passes in front of me instead of checking my emails for etix numbers, booking classes, dates, seat numbers (!) and so on. He submitted 3 claims with UA, told me this should take a few days to a maximum of 35 days.
Overall, surprisingly good experience, I will update when I get the miles posted. The guy even knew what SWU was.
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,198
Oh well, while the wife was doing her make up here in WAW, I had nothing to do and called to claim a few missing flights. (I was saving this for the beach at Koh Samui next week, but..)
Called Avianca US at +18002842622. Spoke with Daniel over Skype. Excellent english, as helpful as as he can get. Took 15 minutes for 3 flights and it would have been quicker if I had the boarding passes in front of me instead of checking my emails for etix numbers, booking classes, dates, seat numbers (!) and so on. He submitted 3 claims with UA, told me this should take a few days to a maximum of 35 days.
Overall, surprisingly good experience, I will update when I get the miles posted. The guy even knew what SWU was.
Called Avianca US at +18002842622. Spoke with Daniel over Skype. Excellent english, as helpful as as he can get. Took 15 minutes for 3 flights and it would have been quicker if I had the boarding passes in front of me instead of checking my emails for etix numbers, booking classes, dates, seat numbers (!) and so on. He submitted 3 claims with UA, told me this should take a few days to a maximum of 35 days.
Overall, surprisingly good experience, I will update when I get the miles posted. The guy even knew what SWU was.
#50
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,835
Oh well, while the wife was doing her make up here in WAW, I had nothing to do and called to claim a few missing flights. (I was saving this for the beach at Koh Samui next week, but..)
Called Avianca US at +18002842622. Spoke with Daniel over Skype. Excellent english, as helpful as as he can get. Took 15 minutes for 3 flights and it would have been quicker if I had the boarding passes in front of me instead of checking my emails for etix numbers, booking classes, dates, seat numbers (!) and so on. He submitted 3 claims with UA, told me this should take a few days to a maximum of 35 days.
Overall, surprisingly good experience, I will update when I get the miles posted. The guy even knew what SWU was.
Called Avianca US at +18002842622. Spoke with Daniel over Skype. Excellent english, as helpful as as he can get. Took 15 minutes for 3 flights and it would have been quicker if I had the boarding passes in front of me instead of checking my emails for etix numbers, booking classes, dates, seat numbers (!) and so on. He submitted 3 claims with UA, told me this should take a few days to a maximum of 35 days.
Overall, surprisingly good experience, I will update when I get the miles posted. The guy even knew what SWU was.
#53
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: HHonors Gold
Posts: 130
Check out this link: https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/inc/starupgawards.aspx
#57
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Bergen, Norway
Programs: AA PLT, CC Concierge, A3*G
Posts: 291
1) Is it possible to book a last minute LifeMiles award (less than 48/24 hours before departure)?
2) How long does it take for miles/taxes to get refunded when cancelling an award booking?
2) How long does it take for miles/taxes to get refunded when cancelling an award booking?
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,198
2. From 2 weeks to 12 weeks is the normal turn around time.
Last edited by onlysuites; Jun 22, 2013 at 9:51 am
#60
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ *G; HH Diamond;
Posts: 1,644
Check out this link: https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/inc/starupgawards.aspx