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)
#796
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,304
So, on a date I'd like next year, there is availability on 3/11 for MDE-BOG and BOG-LAX. But not MDE-BOG-LAX. This is right at the end of schedule. Is this just a timing issue or does Avianca Life Miles use married segment logic. Should I wait or buy separate tickets?
If seperate tickets, will Avianca through check the bags in BOG?
If seperate tickets, will Avianca through check the bags in BOG?
#797
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,401
So, on a date I'd like next year, there is availability on 3/11 for MDE-BOG and BOG-LAX. But not MDE-BOG-LAX. This is right at the end of schedule. Is this just a timing issue or does Avianca Life Miles use married segment logic. Should I wait or buy separate tickets?
If seperate tickets, will Avianca through check the bags in BOG?
If seperate tickets, will Avianca through check the bags in BOG?
Take three screen shots - MDE-BOG, BOX-LAX and the 'not available' screen for MDE-LAX. Send them all off with a scan of your passport page and LM will make the booking manually for you.
#798
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,304
It may be a case of the LM system not offering the through connection (rather than it being a case of married segments).
Take three screen shots - MDE-BOG, BOX-LAX and the 'not available' screen for MDE-LAX. Send them all off with a scan of your passport page and LM will make the booking manually for you.
Take three screen shots - MDE-BOG, BOX-LAX and the 'not available' screen for MDE-LAX. Send them all off with a scan of your passport page and LM will make the booking manually for you.
#799
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH G,Hyatt E,*A Gold, OW Emerald.
Posts: 3,023
Any one else that has been inconvenienced by the 24 hour block? Seems like you cannot book last minute awards in the same day as departure!
#800
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,401
#802
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 252
Problems co
within 24 hours, good luck with that.
Can hardley get get things booked 10-11 months out.
No more mileage purchases until I see some changes Life Miles!!
your cash cow is going to run dry!
Can hardley get get things booked 10-11 months out.
No more mileage purchases until I see some changes Life Miles!!
your cash cow is going to run dry!
#804
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: most of them
Posts: 3,283
I had made that pledge too...until I managed to book a couple of awards last week. Things seem to be back to "normal" and searches are running a lot quicker. Maybe I just got lucky?
#805
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH G,Hyatt E,*A Gold, OW Emerald.
Posts: 3,023
Noticeably improved after maintenance this month.
#806
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: United Gold (frmer. 1k and GS), AAdvantage Platinum, Alaska MVP Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 200
-----
Last edited by lesamuel; Apr 7, 2018 at 4:57 pm Reason: Resolved.
#807
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: DL
Posts: 43
Well this is something I have never seen before... LH USA-MUC-DME biz was not showing any availability for the dates I wanted on United or Aeroplan website, even for individual sectors; but somehow Lifemiles was showing 1 seat. I was certain this was phantom but said what the heck; let me just try; lo and behold I even got confirmation emails and the confirmation code is showing a confirmed Biz itinerary on Lufthansa.com!! Am very impressed; this was for peak world cup travel!
#808
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,714
Does subscribing to Club Lifemiles count as a qualifying activity that keeps my Lifemiles account active?
#809
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 108
Yes. It is a good/main reason to subscribe to one of these plans!
P
P
#810
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 562
How long after sending the screenshots does LifeMiles usually take to respond with a manual booking? I sent it yesterday but haven't heard back.