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)
#1413
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SIN
Programs: TK-G | Accor P | SQ-G | Marriott T
Posts: 3,831
OK I got the ticket last night... It is like 24 hours after I ticketed..... not sure if this is because I chase for it or standard.....
The difference from my TK redemption is that AV seems use the same reference number with SQ.....
The difference from my TK redemption is that AV seems use the same reference number with SQ.....
#1415
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott/SPG Platinum
Posts: 496
tried to book a round trip ticket to Beijing and ran into this error when selecting passenger:
Sorry, we could not process your request, please try again.
If the problem persists contact our Call center Option 3 or send us an email to [email protected]
LifeMiles Team.
E3 38170516005 02/07/2019 06:51:14}
what is the best method to get this booked? thanks
Sorry, we could not process your request, please try again.
If the problem persists contact our Call center Option 3 or send us an email to [email protected]
LifeMiles Team.
E3 38170516005 02/07/2019 06:51:14}
what is the best method to get this booked? thanks
#1416
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
tried to book a round trip ticket to Beijing and ran into this error when selecting passenger:
Sorry, we could not process your request, please try again.
If the problem persists contact our Call center Option 3 or send us an email to [email protected]
LifeMiles Team.
E3 38170516005 02/07/2019 06:51:14}
what is the best method to get this booked? thanks
Sorry, we could not process your request, please try again.
If the problem persists contact our Call center Option 3 or send us an email to [email protected]
LifeMiles Team.
E3 38170516005 02/07/2019 06:51:14}
what is the best method to get this booked? thanks
#1417
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 877
UA and AC allow the following routing:
BCN-IST-IAH
Lifemiles does not display the itinerary. I will email them this evening with the screen shot method, but I am wondering if the routing is even valid in their system since Spain and Turkey are in different regions
BCN-IST-IAH
Lifemiles does not display the itinerary. I will email them this evening with the screen shot method, but I am wondering if the routing is even valid in their system since Spain and Turkey are in different regions
#1418
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
Transit via different regions is not a barrier in itself.
#1419
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott/SPG Platinum
Posts: 496
(a) worked...got the flight booked successfully. thank you so much, bro!
#1420
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 57
I'm trying to book ORD --> VIE --> CPT Austrian Airlines.
United/Aeroplan both show x class availability. However, when i search Lifemiles I:
1) don't see any results using Smart Search
2) don't see any results using Star Alliance
3) if i search using specifically Austrian Airlines, there's no options to type in CPT as my destination
Lifemiles does show the ORD --> VIE segment... it just shows no results for VIE --> CPT.
Can anyone offer advice on how to book or am I pretty much out of luck?
Thanks!
United/Aeroplan both show x class availability. However, when i search Lifemiles I:
1) don't see any results using Smart Search
2) don't see any results using Star Alliance
3) if i search using specifically Austrian Airlines, there's no options to type in CPT as my destination
Lifemiles does show the ORD --> VIE segment... it just shows no results for VIE --> CPT.
Can anyone offer advice on how to book or am I pretty much out of luck?
Thanks!
#1421
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
Unfortunately if you cannot get the VIE-CPT to show, you won’t be able to book it either through the call centre or via the screenshot method.
Nothing you can do even if you know the seats are there (for example because they show on UA or AC).
Nothing you can do even if you know the seats are there (for example because they show on UA or AC).
#1424
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
#1425
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 115
This is scary. Was about buying Lifetime miles using their current promo to possibly book Turkish and Air India (trip to Maldives) flights.
Does anyone know which airlines are reliable on their website? Don't want to buy and have it be a waste.
Thanks
Does anyone know which airlines are reliable on their website? Don't want to buy and have it be a waste.
Thanks