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)
May 22, 2018, 2:31 pm
#842
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 3
I wanted to buy some more LifeMiles on the website and I also called them but all attempts to pay failed for unknown reasons. I tried 6 different credit cards and 2 debit cards ( 5 different banks ) but none of them worked. I called the banks but they can't even see any pending or declined charges. Last year I bought miles and booked flights multiple times with one of those credit cards without any issues. I have to book a flight soon and I'm a little afraid that this will happen again and I won't be able to do the booking even with my current miles in my account when it comes to pay the taxes / fees.
Any help or idea how to solve this problem is much appreciated. Thank you in advance!
Btw, I had my first negative experience with LifeMiles in April when my flight was canceled by Lufthansa due to a labor strike in Germany. It took me about 5 weeks to get the LifeMiles back that I used for this flight and I had to call and email several times. Fortunately, I was pretty flexible with my schedule otherwise it would've been a nightmare.
Any help or idea how to solve this problem is much appreciated. Thank you in advance!
Btw, I had my first negative experience with LifeMiles in April when my flight was canceled by Lufthansa due to a labor strike in Germany. It took me about 5 weeks to get the LifeMiles back that I used for this flight and I had to call and email several times. Fortunately, I was pretty flexible with my schedule otherwise it would've been a nightmare.
May 22, 2018, 4:30 pm
#843
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
Btw, I had my first negative experience with LifeMiles in April when my flight was canceled by Lufthansa due to a labor strike in Germany. It took me about 5 weeks to get the LifeMiles back that I used for this flight and I had to call and email several times. Fortunately, I was pretty flexible with my schedule otherwise it would've been a nightmare.
May 22, 2018, 6:05 pm
#844
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 3
I’m not blaming LM for the canceled flight, not at all. My complaint is only about the time it took LM to refund the miles. They first told me it will take about 1 week to process the refund but then I had to call over and over again to ask for an update. They never told me why it took so long and they just repeated that they will take care of it right away and apologized for the delay. I just think 5 weeks is way too long and if it really takes that long they should be honest about it.
May 23, 2018, 6:33 am
#845
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Miles and Smiles Elite Plus, Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 474
I’m not blaming LM for the canceled flight, not at all. My complaint is only about the time it took LM to refund the miles. They first told me it will take about 1 week to process the refund but then I had to call over and over again to ask for an update. They never told me why it took so long and they just repeated that they will take care of it right away and apologized for the delay. I just think 5 weeks is way too long and if it really takes that long they should be honest about it.
May 23, 2018, 6:51 am
#846
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 3
4 months is ridiculous...then I was indeed very lucky. What did they tell you initially how long it will take?
May 23, 2018, 7:01 pm
#847
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Miles and Smiles Elite Plus, Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 474
2mths after submission of request for refund online. I had to call them and email them so often and the agent who replied was curt and unprofessional and implied that I cant do anything but wait it out until their department approves the refund
May 26, 2018, 7:00 pm
#848
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 3
Lifemiles website account access
I Have been unable to access my lifemiles account looks like there is a system glitch.Anyone else having problems?
May 26, 2018, 7:10 pm
#849
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,405
As an aside, looks like they have fixed the recent glitch where LH J class was removed from view. This is now back. (The glitch had affected a few routes where LH F was available for a few weeks but later closed down. That also affected the J class inventory. But it now seems to be back.)
May 26, 2018, 7:11 pm
#850
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DUB-BOS
Programs: various
Posts: 3,690
entire site was down for me a few days ago - but works fine now
May 28, 2018, 8:08 pm
#851
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 183
Tried 7 different cards in 5 different family accounts. All failed! What's the point of these sales if we can't buy any???
May 29, 2018, 5:43 am
#852
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 4
same here ... tried with 3 different Cards on 3 Browsers ... no Chance to buy miles ...
May 29, 2018, 3:24 pm
#853
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DUB-BOS
Programs: various
Posts: 3,690
Elsewhere people have reported success using virtual cards - citi allow this on some of their cards, not sure about other banks
May 30, 2018, 2:01 am
#854
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,405
I just bought miles with a credit card (not virtual). Working ok except for a short 1 minute delay to process the transaction.
Maybe try again if you've been having problems.
Maybe try again if you've been having problems.