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 12, 2021, 10:53 pm
#2026
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
A data point - booked a domestic UA flight in Y for September but I ended up having to do it over the phone - got the usual error at the confirmation point on the website, so I emailed the booking details and sent in screenshots. Based on my results, I'm not actually sure if I needed the screenshots or if I already had a partially complete booking in my account - about 3 days after the email I got a response with the reservation information noting that it was ready for me to call and pay, and right after that email they actually called me and walked me through the process, which was fairly painless (except having to say my credit card info out loud in the gift shop of a museum).
I actually booked a different UA domestic flight in Y for January and was able to do it all via the website (this was about a month ago). Not sure why it worked one time and didn't the next.
I actually booked a different UA domestic flight in Y for January and was able to do it all via the website (this was about a month ago). Not sure why it worked one time and didn't the next.
Agree with you - screenshots probably not necessary in this case. Usually screenshots are required if you can't find your itinerary on line. If you can see it, the call centre can see it. If there were still available seats they could have booked it for you.
Jul 13, 2021, 3:46 am
#2027
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,739
Right now one can't even log in, tried for the last few hours and either it goes straight to error out before even the log in screen comes up or after login it goes to error. Ahh LM, it is only 2021 so I guess a website that at least can perform basic functions is still too much of an expectation. 
Alas, we shall wait patiently until you sort yourself out. 
Alas, we shall wait patiently until you sort yourself out.
Jul 13, 2021, 4:02 am
#2028
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: Alaska
Posts: 2,188
Right now one can't even log in, tried for the last few hours and either it goes straight to error out before even the log in screen comes up or after login it goes to error. Ahh LM, it is only 2021 so I guess a website that at least can perform basic functions is still too much of an expectation. Alas, we shall wait patiently until you sort yourself out.
Alas, we shall wait patiently until you sort yourself out. mine working already. earlier it was not working.
Jul 13, 2021, 8:55 pm
#2029
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,739
I can log in now, but still "shaky". Also, it does not seem to like or rather struggle with Incognito mode (same in Chrome & Edge) at least for me. Oh well, nothing urgent that needs doing, but just adds to the unpredictability of LM. YMMV.
Jul 20, 2021, 11:41 pm
#2030
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 16
Is anyone having the same problem? The site wouldn't respond when you click on continue to redemption.
Jul 21, 2021, 10:37 am
#2031
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: ORD, MIA
Programs: AA EXP, JL JGC, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 382
Jul 22, 2021, 7:53 am
#2032
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 199
I'm trying to book a cash fare on Avianca IAD-LPB via BOG for September. When I go to search for dates I am getting a "We have no flights available on that date. (7959)" error for any dates I select. According to Google flights there are flights operating, just 2x weekly. Anyone else having issues trying to book a cash fare?
Jul 22, 2021, 5:04 pm
#2033
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
I can’t find any J awards US-CGK. Usually can find a decent supply on at least one leg, from the west coast.
Jul 26, 2021, 6:24 pm
#2035
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 252
Extend Lifemiles ?
Anyone figure out the best way to extend lifemiles expiration date?
Will a Marriott points transfer work?
I tried booking a hotel via lifemiles link hotels.com
It’s not very clear how to give them your life Miles number I put it in the remarks. Hotel responded they didn’t know what it was I was referring to ???
Typical lifemiles! Nothing is simple or Clear!
Will a Marriott points transfer work?
I tried booking a hotel via lifemiles link hotels.com
It’s not very clear how to give them your life Miles number I put it in the remarks. Hotel responded they didn’t know what it was I was referring to ???
Typical lifemiles! Nothing is simple or Clear!
Jul 31, 2021, 12:09 am
#2036
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,739
Why don't you have a read in the Lifemiles Expiration thread which should be still on first page of threads in this forum. Maybe some of the methods recently reported will work for you? YMMV.
Aug 2, 2021, 5:07 pm
#2037
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 11
Helvetic airways
Has anyone successfully booked flights on Helvetic airways? Trying to book JFK-ZRH-MRS on LX. The JFK-ZRH segment appears just fine, but the ZRH-MRS does not. Bookable on Aeroplan and United, but no luck on LM. Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Aug 2, 2021, 6:01 pm
#2038
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,393
I suspect the issue is that Helvetic Airways is not a Star Alliance member airline. Lifemiles can book *A member airlines but not necessarily their regional partner airlines like Helvetic. I ran in to a similar situation with LX and Eurowings. Bookable on United but Lifemiles could only book the LX flight, not the Eurowings connection. I ended up booking on United. I believe United and Aeroplan have separate partner agreements with some of the regional carriers like Eurowings and Helvetic so they can offer more options.
Aug 5, 2021, 10:05 pm
#2039
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YYZ (YUL/LHR)
Programs: AC - E50, CX - G, Accor Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 903
AC zero domestic availability
Latest iteration of LM issues seems to be zero Air Canada domestic availability even where this is open for other *A carriers. I’ve been patient and got good value over the years but my patience is wearing thin at this point.
Aug 22, 2021, 2:36 am
#2040
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: hong kong
Programs: Centurion, Lan Platinum, ANA Mileage Club, HHonors D, SPG G
Posts: 401
Yep.. Nothing available domestically when United and ANA are showing ample availability. lame.