No, you can set up a LifeMiles account today and buy miles. For the 2x1 miles offers though you have to have had an exisiting LifeMiles account since before the offer started. So say there is a 2x1 in October for the whole month. You would have to have had a LifeMiles account already on 30th September

One of the reasons I think LifeMiles CS is crappy, when I buy miles I get charged 18% tax on the purchase. Colombia does NOT have an 18% tax rate. Peru has an 18% tax rate but there is no tax applicable on purchases in Peru. I have spent seemingly forever on the phone to them about their non existent tax rate to no avail.

Set up your LifeMiles account in the USA and there is zero tax. I cannot speak for other countries