Aug 17, 2013, 12:43 am
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)
Oct 13, 2014, 9:36 pm
#361
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Sydney
Posts: 5,769
I tried to book a flight with 4 attempts 4 booking now and 4 different credit cards,
came back that I and to call them so tried to call their USA and canada number and it saying call cannot be completed anyone else having probs??
Finally got on they said they cannot process august and they could not find the booking active( I did 4 and have 4 booking references)
Dear member, we could not process the credit card transaction. Please call our call center to check your transaction status where we will assist you in solving this issue. Please have at hand your frequent flyer number xxxxxxx and record locator xxxxx.
is anyone else having the same probs i think maybe they have blocked everything till the new awards come out.
came back that I and to call them so tried to call their USA and canada number and it saying call cannot be completed anyone else having probs??
Finally got on they said they cannot process august and they could not find the booking active( I did 4 and have 4 booking references)
Dear member, we could not process the credit card transaction. Please call our call center to check your transaction status where we will assist you in solving this issue. Please have at hand your frequent flyer number xxxxxxx and record locator xxxxx.
is anyone else having the same probs i think maybe they have blocked everything till the new awards come out.
Last edited by tinkybelle; Oct 13, 2014 at 9:49 pm
Oct 14, 2014, 8:55 pm
#362
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 13
i have same problem in morning. tryed 2 time and get same error. call amex they sayed see no problem. couple hour ago i try again same amex and work ok!!
Oct 17, 2014, 10:14 pm
#363
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: MDE
Programs: AA EP, CM PP, AV GM, UA Silver, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,002
I tried to book a flight with 4 attempts 4 booking now and 4 different credit cards,
came back that I and to call them so tried to call their USA and canada number and it saying call cannot be completed anyone else having probs??
Finally got on they said they cannot process august and they could not find the booking active( I did 4 and have 4 booking references)
Dear member, we could not process the credit card transaction. Please call our call center to check your transaction status where we will assist you in solving this issue. Please have at hand your frequent flyer number xxxxxxx and record locator xxxxx.
is anyone else having the same probs i think maybe they have blocked everything till the new awards come out.
came back that I and to call them so tried to call their USA and canada number and it saying call cannot be completed anyone else having probs??
Finally got on they said they cannot process august and they could not find the booking active( I did 4 and have 4 booking references)
Dear member, we could not process the credit card transaction. Please call our call center to check your transaction status where we will assist you in solving this issue. Please have at hand your frequent flyer number xxxxxxx and record locator xxxxx.
is anyone else having the same probs i think maybe they have blocked everything till the new awards come out.
Nov 5, 2014, 10:53 am
#364
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: southUSA
Posts: 398
Sorry, There was problem while processing your transaction
Attempting to book AKL-JFK connections (SIN-JFK) on SQ.
Forced SQ as carrier and plenty of availability even searched via ANA as well.
After I select flight I get "Sorry, There was problem while processing your transaction."
Any workaround to this. Better luck by calling in?
Forced SQ as carrier and plenty of availability even searched via ANA as well.
After I select flight I get "Sorry, There was problem while processing your transaction."
Any workaround to this. Better luck by calling in?
Nov 5, 2014, 11:17 am
#365
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Valencia, Spain
Programs: Pascal and Python, no C++
Posts: 738
Attempting to book AKL-JFK connections (SIN-JFK) on SQ.
Forced SQ as carrier and plenty of availability even searched via ANA as well.
After I select flight I get "Sorry, There was problem while processing your transaction."
Any workaround to this. Better luck by calling in?
Forced SQ as carrier and plenty of availability even searched via ANA as well.
After I select flight I get "Sorry, There was problem while processing your transaction."
Any workaround to this. Better luck by calling in?
Alternatively, if this happens on a number of routes to you, make a screenshot and complain via Facebook. They react quite nicely that way and you can avoid the dreaded waiting loop....
That said, what do you mean by "even searched via ANA as well?"
Nov 5, 2014, 12:11 pm
#367
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: southUSA
Posts: 398
a straightforward route with booking problems? I would wait one day (except if this is very short term) and then try again, if it still doesn't work, call.
Alternatively, if this happens on a number of routes to you, make a screenshot and complain via Facebook. They react quite nicely that way and you can avoid the dreaded waiting loop....
Alternatively, if this happens on a number of routes to you, make a screenshot and complain via Facebook. They react quite nicely that way and you can avoid the dreaded waiting loop....
Yes. I have tried for the past week.
It seems to happen on routes originating from c6. If start ex-SIN no problems.
BNE/SYD/AKL/CHC all prompt the same response.
Reckon I should post Facebook?
Nov 5, 2014, 12:23 pm
#368
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Melbourne
Programs: Velocity Gold
Posts: 1,069
From Aus/NZ SQ business class is only bookable within 14 days of departure.
Nov 5, 2014, 2:35 pm
#369
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: Flying: VA; Buying: AA, AS, AV, BA, UA!
Posts: 2,349
Nov 5, 2014, 3:21 pm
#370
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: southUSA
Posts: 398
Yes Y class award.
Nov 5, 2014, 9:35 pm
#371
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Valencia, Spain
Programs: Pascal and Python, no C++
Posts: 738
Nov 6, 2014, 12:16 pm
#372
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: LAF, VIE
Programs: A3 *G; AA EXP
Posts: 509
make a screenshot and email them at [email protected]
Make sure that you specify EXACTLY which flights and class of service you would like to book, how many miles/cash you would like to spend and also add a phone number (with country code)
Nov 9, 2014, 3:09 pm
#373
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,391
So, the LM booking engine is showing me AI flights... 
Nov 9, 2014, 3:19 pm
#374
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Valencia, Spain
Programs: Pascal and Python, no C++
Posts: 738
It did so for a long time. Booking was the problem. But I understand that got solved a couple of weeks ago. It still will error out on a number (close to 40 at last count) of AI destinations... Somebody didn't do a thorough job updating the database it seems
Nov 11, 2014, 6:55 pm
#375
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: AP 75k
Posts: 137
Wow..just had something ticket within a few minutes... First time ^