May 26, 2014, 8:47 am
Last edit by: SingaporeDon
Every forum on Flyertalk has a personality. A forum gains a personality through user input over time, and Lifemiles is a very definitive example of how users have developed a unique community.
While Flyertalk boards actively encourage sharing of info, the Lifemiles community has developed and thrived via obscuring of certain data elements. It may not be easy for new participants to break through the codes and gain knowledge of the program's quirks, but the overall board community has adopted this unique approach. And frankly, that is not going to change overnight.
If a FT member wants to participate on this board, then they will need to respect other users. Hence, posts that run counter to this community's standards, will be removed.
While Flyertalk boards actively encourage sharing of info, the Lifemiles community has developed and thrived via obscuring of certain data elements. It may not be easy for new participants to break through the codes and gain knowledge of the program's quirks, but the overall board community has adopted this unique approach. And frankly, that is not going to change overnight.
If a FT member wants to participate on this board, then they will need to respect other users. Hence, posts that run counter to this community's standards, will be removed.
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
LifeMiles' old Star Alliance Award Chart (before Oct 15 2014) // Table of changes
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 easily-seen example is travel on Copa from LAX to SJU (via PTY).
Understand Cabotage: Departing country 1, transiting country 2, returning to country 1 (no stopping) *is* cabotage (example: depart JFK, connect in YYZ to return to ORD, or depart Miami, connect in Bogota, return to San Francisco). On the other hand, departing country 1, going to completely unrelated country 2, and ending up in country 3, is not cabotage. So if you fly JFK-JNB-ZRH, for instance, this is completely not cabotage.
Availability: Seeing availability for *A award seats elsewhere is no guarantee they are accessible on Lifemiles. For instance award space shown on ANA often is not accessible on Lifemiles. Similarly, finding award space on single legs doesn't mean you'll get award space on the combined itinerary. And no, there is no way to overcome that.
Screenshot Method
Send email to [email protected] with attached screenshots on Lifemiles website of each individual leg showing availability. Also, screenshot showing no availability as one booking. Include passenger names, gender and DOB and copy of passenger passport. They will either call you for payment or email the itinerary and give you 3 days to call up and make payment by CC.
NOTE: This previous thread has been closed; it can be read here LM F and J routes (and the occasional trick-it)
LM F and J routes (and the occasional trick-it) Rebooted v2.0
Sep 21, 2014, 7:42 am
#856
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Valencia, Spain
Programs: Pascal and Python, no C++
Posts: 738
Welcome Anthony Maher and Elsaball. Just like you, one year ago I started from just knowing one or two things about lifemiles. Some elder member recommended me to read the whole thread. So I did. And within a few hours of hard work I was able to at least ask better questions.
Now, it is important to know that most tricks you will read about don't work anymore, for different reasons. There was one particularly painful demise of a bag of tricks at a certain incident now known as "CabotageGate", which also caused this thread to restart. (see WIKI) so it's not just 57 pages....
But a few tricks still do work and most members in the known have become extremely careful with sharing them. I am afraid you will be pretty much on your own in the beginning. But it is doable.
Some specific remarks:
Google a bit, there are some basic write-ups on blogs.
Singapore is not Oceania in Lifemiles. Let me just tell you that you happen to live in a geographic region which spots far more ideosyncrasies in LM than any other region on earth.
This question specifically has been answered over and over, even in the last couple of weeks.
Now, it is important to know that most tricks you will read about don't work anymore, for different reasons. There was one particularly painful demise of a bag of tricks at a certain incident now known as "CabotageGate", which also caused this thread to restart. (see WIKI) so it's not just 57 pages....
But a few tricks still do work and most members in the known have become extremely careful with sharing them. I am afraid you will be pretty much on your own in the beginning. But it is doable.
Some specific remarks:
can anyone share any information to get me on the right track with all this stuff?
I have used Lifemiles at a basic level but only know one or two of the tricks... it seems impossible especially flying out of Singapore/Oceania to find anything to get me in the right direction
I have used Lifemiles at a basic level but only know one or two of the tricks... it seems impossible especially flying out of Singapore/Oceania to find anything to get me in the right direction
Singapore is not Oceania in Lifemiles. Let me just tell you that you happen to live in a geographic region which spots far more ideosyncrasies in LM than any other region on earth.
This question specifically has been answered over and over, even in the last couple of weeks.
Sep 21, 2014, 9:21 pm
#857
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 33
I appreciate your advice!
Sep 22, 2014, 12:10 am
#858
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Valencia, Spain
Programs: Pascal and Python, no C++
Posts: 738
On this thread or others? Bc I've read through this and the preceding thread as well as searched other threads and have seen similar questions but not the same. I am not asking if you can claim your bags on any hidden city. Just if theres a way to route woodcutters tool, for ex, where you can claim your bags. Not sure if any connecting city makes you clear customs at port of entry. If it has been mentioned b4 I'd appreciate a link or PM with info.
I appreciate your advice!
I appreciate your advice!
Sep 22, 2014, 12:58 am
#859
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Perth, Australia
Programs: QF, LM, USDM, AA
Posts: 209
Entereing the US they make you collect your bags at the first port of entry which is always helpful if that's where you want to hop off, flying into Europe I think your bags will often reroute to the place of final destination...
On a route i did last year when i wanted to hop off at airport 2 and miss 3 I asked them at the departure airport where they gave me all three tickets if i could collect my bags and after a bit of a surprised look they agreed, I guess it would work better if you have a stop of 4-5 hours than 1-2 hours to make up some story about wanting to buy something or get something off a friend etc, a change of airport can also obviously work well...
I guess you just have to think sometimes about how long between your stops and will they think it a reasonable request, if you're are flying into an international airport and then taking a domestic flight onwards they will probably also make you collect your bags and carrying hand luggage only also negates the risk...
On a route i did last year when i wanted to hop off at airport 2 and miss 3 I asked them at the departure airport where they gave me all three tickets if i could collect my bags and after a bit of a surprised look they agreed, I guess it would work better if you have a stop of 4-5 hours than 1-2 hours to make up some story about wanting to buy something or get something off a friend etc, a change of airport can also obviously work well...
I guess you just have to think sometimes about how long between your stops and will they think it a reasonable request, if you're are flying into an international airport and then taking a domestic flight onwards they will probably also make you collect your bags and carrying hand luggage only also negates the risk...
Sep 22, 2014, 1:01 am
#860
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Perth, Australia
Programs: QF, LM, USDM, AA
Posts: 209
can anyone share any information to get me on the right track with all this stuff?
I have used Lifemiles at a basic level but only know one or two of the tricks... it seems impossible especially flying out of Singapore/Oceania to find anything to get me in the right direction
I have used Lifemiles at a basic level but only know one or two of the tricks... it seems impossible especially flying out of Singapore/Oceania to find anything to get me in the right direction
Sep 22, 2014, 4:52 am
#861
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: New York Metropolitan Area 45 km from JFK
Programs: UA,AA,AS,BA
Posts: 4,607
He is asking you to write a How-To manual and forward it to him. His use of the phrase "stuff" and the casual style with obvious lack of effort should tell you the level of dedication to this subject matter.
Sep 22, 2014, 8:50 am
#862
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
Posts: 26,062
Sep 22, 2014, 4:30 pm
#865
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BTS
Posts: 611
Sep 23, 2014, 12:49 am
#866
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Perth, Australia
Programs: QF, LM, USDM, AA
Posts: 209
Sep 23, 2014, 2:13 pm
#867
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: JFK
Programs: -
Posts: 178
This isn't really related to a tricked route, but you guys may be able to help. Can I force any departure times outside of the pre-established ones somehow? I think this would solve my problem but don't know how to do it.
Trying to do EWR-YYZ-GRU on UA & AC
It's a <4hr layover but specifying carriers obviously doesn't work here. AC doesn't have availability on EWR-YYZ otherwise I'd be ok I think... By the way the flight departs just before 6pm, so specifying 6 doesn't help
Thanks!
Trying to do EWR-YYZ-GRU on UA & AC
It's a <4hr layover but specifying carriers obviously doesn't work here. AC doesn't have availability on EWR-YYZ otherwise I'd be ok I think... By the way the flight departs just before 6pm, so specifying 6 doesn't help
Thanks!
Sep 23, 2014, 2:30 pm
#868
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Germany / Thailand
Programs: M&M/S SPG livetime gold, but not running behind status & points anymore! Now only book value for $
Posts: 3,090
NO airline can refuse to deliver your bags @ any Transit Airport !
You always only say "you have to Change clothes and give up a new bag @ that Transit Point " , but of course, the transittime should be enough and very important !! You need the right to Exit in this transitpoint !!
example if your transitpoint is in Russia you need the right papers to enter Russia !
that's all
You always only say "you have to Change clothes and give up a new bag @ that Transit Point " , but of course, the transittime should be enough and very important !! You need the right to Exit in this transitpoint !!
example if your transitpoint is in Russia you need the right papers to enter Russia !
that's all
On this thread or others? Bc I've read through this and the preceding thread as well as searched other threads and have seen similar questions but not the same. I am not asking if you can claim your bags on any hidden city. Just if theres a way to route woodcutters tool, for ex, where you can claim your bags. Not sure if any connecting city makes you clear customs at port of entry. If it has been mentioned b4 I'd appreciate a link or PM with info.
I appreciate your advice!
I appreciate your advice!
Sep 23, 2014, 3:22 pm
#869
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: SVG
Posts: 1,172
Is there a way to specify specific carriers without having to resort to all in Star Alliance?
Very often I can find flights I want by specifying one specific carrier, but these same flights don't show up when specifying Star Alliance; certainly not when adding a "feeder" flight where the specific carrier does not operate...
Now I can tweak the departure times (thanks to a post in the old thread ^), but have so far been unable to search for flights from/to an airport where the specific carrier does not operate so I am not sure of what results that might produce (if any).
Finally, I have been looking into some 2 segment itineraries where availability (in C) is not an issue when searching segments separately; however when searching both flights only Y shows up; is this normal behaviour by the website? married segment logic, or something else? Note: the origin and destination are relatively close...
All suggestions welcome!
Very often I can find flights I want by specifying one specific carrier, but these same flights don't show up when specifying Star Alliance; certainly not when adding a "feeder" flight where the specific carrier does not operate...
Now I can tweak the departure times (thanks to a post in the old thread ^), but have so far been unable to search for flights from/to an airport where the specific carrier does not operate so I am not sure of what results that might produce (if any).
Finally, I have been looking into some 2 segment itineraries where availability (in C) is not an issue when searching segments separately; however when searching both flights only Y shows up; is this normal behaviour by the website? married segment logic, or something else? Note: the origin and destination are relatively close...
All suggestions welcome!
Sep 23, 2014, 3:43 pm
#870
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BTS
Posts: 611
This isn't really related to a tricked route, but you guys may be able to help. Can I force any departure times outside of the pre-established ones somehow? I think this would solve my problem but don't know how to do it.
Trying to do EWR-YYZ-GRU on UA & AC
It's a <4hr layover but specifying carriers obviously doesn't work here. AC doesn't have availability on EWR-YYZ otherwise I'd be ok I think... By the way the flight departs just before 6pm, so specifying 6 doesn't help
Thanks!
Trying to do EWR-YYZ-GRU on UA & AC
It's a <4hr layover but specifying carriers obviously doesn't work here. AC doesn't have availability on EWR-YYZ otherwise I'd be ok I think... By the way the flight departs just before 6pm, so specifying 6 doesn't help
Thanks!