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)
Jul 4, 2019, 5:47 am
#1426
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 115
Also, not completely related but I keep seeing availability on Aeroplan and United for some miles tickets that I don't see on the Lifemiles website. Do they not have the same access to partner tickets?
Jul 4, 2019, 5:57 am
#1427
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,403
See post 1422 a couple above yours. you will see that availability between UA or CA and LM is not matched.
Jul 4, 2019, 6:01 am
#1428
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 115
I've seen plenty of availability on Turkish and Air India. Air India can error out when it comes time to book, but if you can see it on the website, the call centre will be able to book it for you.
See post 1422 a couple above yours. you will see that availability between UA or CA and LM is not matched.
See post 1422 a couple above yours. you will see that availability between UA or CA and LM is not matched.
I wonder if the other way ever applies. Do some tickets show up on LM but not on UA or CA or are LM miles worth the least of all 3.
Last edited by NewbieRunner; Jul 5, 2019 at 11:21 am Reason: Consecutive posts by same member
Jul 4, 2019, 2:56 pm
#1429
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,838
Yes, sometimes LM have bizarre availability not available ANYWHERE else. If you can acquire UA miles at $0.013, by all means go with them. At the price LM are selling theirs, no *A can beat them on value, especially for flyers that don't have access to US credit cards, etc.
Jul 4, 2019, 11:29 pm
#1430
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 115
Yes, sometimes LM have bizarre availability not available ANYWHERE else. If you can acquire UA miles at $0.013, by all means go with them. At the price LM are selling theirs, no *A can beat them on value, especially for flyers that don't have access to US credit cards, etc.
Jul 11, 2019, 5:30 am
#1431
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, SPG Gold
Posts: 89
Award Seat Gone After Booking Errors Out
I recently tried to do an award booking by specifically selecting the airline (Ethiopian). I was able to enter the passenger info and credit card information but it ended up erroring out. The page briefly showed a PNR code but i didn't write it down before the page errored. I received no email nor was points deducted, but now the award seat is gone.
Anyone experience this? Can lifemiles look up the booking using my account number not the PNR code? Seems like the booking was half way completed since it took the available award, but it wasn't issued to me. Wonderful website.
Anyone experience this? Can lifemiles look up the booking using my account number not the PNR code? Seems like the booking was half way completed since it took the available award, but it wasn't issued to me. Wonderful website.
Jul 11, 2019, 5:36 am
#1432
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,403
deleted. Outdated information.
Last edited by LHR/MEL/Europe FF; Jul 11, 2019 at 4:43 pm
Jul 11, 2019, 4:15 pm
#1433
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH G,Hyatt E,*A Gold, OW Emerald.
Posts: 3,023
I recently tried to do an award booking by specifically selecting the airline (Ethiopian). I was able to enter the passenger info and credit card information but it ended up erroring out. The page briefly showed a PNR code but i didn't write it down before the page errored. I received no email nor was points deducted, but now the award seat is gone.
Anyone experience this? Can lifemiles look up the booking using my account number not the PNR code? Seems like the booking was half way completed since it took the available award, but it wasn't issued to me. Wonderful website.
Anyone experience this? Can lifemiles look up the booking using my account number not the PNR code? Seems like the booking was half way completed since it took the available award, but it wasn't issued to me. Wonderful website.
If a PNR showed, then the booking is alive for 48 hours. Quickly call LM, give them your LM number and they should see the booking in your account. Alternatively, download the Avianca airlines mobile app (not LM mobile app) and log in with your LM account. "Your trips" should show this booking.
Important to check that it was actually ticketed (with a 13 digit ticket number). If not ticketed, then call LM and complete the CC payment (if payment didn't go through). You have 48 hours since it errored out. Act quickly. The app or a call.
Jul 21, 2019, 6:30 pm
#1434
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: YYZ
Posts: 379
anyone have a work around to book Air Canada flights? (errors out when going to traveller's section) i really don't want to call into the call center again. thanks.
Jul 22, 2019, 1:49 am
#1435
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,403
This works for some airlines to get you through to booking. If not, there's not much you can do except call the call centre.
Jul 22, 2019, 5:09 am
#1436
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: YYZ
Posts: 379
i have tried that and unfortunately still doesnt work. Oh well thanks. Its kind of unbelievable they still have not fixed these issues
Jul 22, 2019, 9:54 pm
#1437
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 1
I too was trying to book an AC flight and saw availability on both LM and Aeroplan. I tried to book through LM and was given the Error message, so I emailed them using the Screenshot method. They replied immediately and said they would escalate it. About two days afterwards, I received an email showing my reservation, but that I needed to call back within a certain time period to process the tax payment so they can issue the ticket.
I called and spoke to an agent who patched me through to the payment dept, where they asked me to input my LM account PIN. After that, they confirmed the flight and taxes, etc and asked for my credit card details. What was odd was that they asked for me to give it to them verbally - and not through the key pad. I asked them why was there no automated key pad, and they said, “Because this is a manual booking, we need to take your payment manually.”
Going against my better judgment, because I didn’t want to lose the flight, I gave them all my CC details. The ticket was issued in about 2 or 3 days, but then I received a call from my CC issuer, questioning about fraudulent looking charges. Turns out, there were 6 pending charges to my CC from some online Chinese shopping website totalling over $800! Luckily my CC company caught the charges, but the card is now cancelled and I need to be issued a new one.
So it seems, although the Screenshot method seems to work when you get an Error message, and you may get your ticket, be wary of potential fraudulent CC activity.
I called and spoke to an agent who patched me through to the payment dept, where they asked me to input my LM account PIN. After that, they confirmed the flight and taxes, etc and asked for my credit card details. What was odd was that they asked for me to give it to them verbally - and not through the key pad. I asked them why was there no automated key pad, and they said, “Because this is a manual booking, we need to take your payment manually.”
Going against my better judgment, because I didn’t want to lose the flight, I gave them all my CC details. The ticket was issued in about 2 or 3 days, but then I received a call from my CC issuer, questioning about fraudulent looking charges. Turns out, there were 6 pending charges to my CC from some online Chinese shopping website totalling over $800! Luckily my CC company caught the charges, but the card is now cancelled and I need to be issued a new one.
So it seems, although the Screenshot method seems to work when you get an Error message, and you may get your ticket, be wary of potential fraudulent CC activity.
Jul 23, 2019, 1:56 am
#1438
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,403
Going against my better judgment, because I didn’t want to lose the flight, I gave them all my CC details. The ticket was issued in about 2 or 3 days, but then I received a call from my CC issuer, questioning about fraudulent looking charges. Turns out, there were 6 pending charges to my CC from some online Chinese shopping website totalling over $800! Luckily my CC company caught the charges, but the card is now cancelled and I need to be issued a new one.
So it seems, although the Screenshot method seems to work when you get an Error message, and you may get your ticket, be wary of potential fraudulent CC activity.
Glad you got your flights.Giving your credit card over the phone is normal with LM, same as it is with any other airline around the world... I've done it dozens of times with no problems (touch wood!).
Hard to say if the two situations are even related in your case (the fradulent transactions from China).
For future reference, if this was am itinerary that showed completely on line (each segment shows together, in order), you can call the call centre directly to book. It's only if one or more segments shows individually, but not the whole itinerary, that you need to use the screenshot method.
Jul 23, 2019, 12:18 pm
#1439
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
Going against my better judgment, because I didn’t want to lose the flight, I gave them all my CC details. The ticket was issued in about 2 or 3 days, but then I received a call from my CC issuer, questioning about fraudulent looking charges. Turns out, there were 6 pending charges to my CC from some online Chinese shopping website totalling over $800! Luckily my CC company caught the charges, but the card is now cancelled and I need to be issued a new one.
So it seems, although the Screenshot method seems to work when you get an Error message, and you may get your ticket, be wary of potential fraudulent CC activity.
So it seems, although the Screenshot method seems to work when you get an Error message, and you may get your ticket, be wary of potential fraudulent CC activity.