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)
Nov 1, 2021, 6:02 pm
#2086
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: Alaska, Bonvoy, HH
Posts: 482
Note UA's interface is undergoing changes that have resulted in it being much more difficult (as of late) to identify the saver awards:
UA changes awards search, mutiple issues, confusing listings, higher mileage?
UA changes awards search, mutiple issues, confusing listings, higher mileage?
Nov 3, 2021, 9:52 am
#2087
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Southern Cal
Programs: UA, AA, Delta, Marriott
Posts: 113
Lifemiles is making it impossible for me to use my 305000 miles! Nothing is available. Even if you find an available departing flight, there are no return flights available. Neither Business class or coach works. Trying for January and May and nothing! Something is seriously wrong here. Lifemiles continues to sell miles and encourage you to accrue them. But for what?
They did offer me an alternate choice- in coach- that would have taken most of my miles and then over $2000.
I wish I had never signed up for Lifemiles. It's awful.
They did offer me an alternate choice- in coach- that would have taken most of my miles and then over $2000.
I wish I had never signed up for Lifemiles. It's awful.
Nov 3, 2021, 1:30 pm
#2088
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,401
Lifemiles is making it impossible for me to use my 305000 miles! Nothing is available. Even if you find an available departing flight, there are no return flights available. Neither Business class or coach works. Trying for January and May and nothing! Something is seriously wrong here. Lifemiles continues to sell miles and encourage you to accrue them. But for what?
They did offer me an alternate choice- in coach- that would have taken most of my miles and then over $2000.
I wish I had never signed up for Lifemiles. It's awful.
They did offer me an alternate choice- in coach- that would have taken most of my miles and then over $2000.
I wish I had never signed up for Lifemiles. It's awful.
Nov 3, 2021, 3:24 pm
#2089
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 302
Lifemiles is making it impossible for me to use my 305000 miles! Nothing is available. Even if you find an available departing flight, there are no return flights available. Neither Business class or coach works. Trying for January and May and nothing! Something is seriously wrong here. Lifemiles continues to sell miles and encourage you to accrue them. But for what?
They did offer me an alternate choice- in coach- that would have taken most of my miles and then over $2000.
I wish I had never signed up for Lifemiles. It's awful.
They did offer me an alternate choice- in coach- that would have taken most of my miles and then over $2000.
I wish I had never signed up for Lifemiles. It's awful.
you don't understand how to use this program. this program is all about being flexible when and where you fly and being able to book round trip in the dates you want is almost impossible.
Your best chances are flying beetwen big hubs like SFO to FRA or IAH to MUC etc and forget about flying in busy periods.
Bottom line that this program works bsst for frequent flieres where one or two times you can catch bussiness class reward out of tens during a year.
I just got mine booking for FRA - SEA done for Jan 18 and wanted to book another one for my wife but there is only one avaliable two days later.
Nov 5, 2021, 9:45 am
#2090
Join Date: May 2015
Location: YUL
Programs: AC 50K, *A Gold
Posts: 301
trying to book a lifemiles rewards on an air Canada flight (LAS-YUL) so it isn't domestic.
I see the flight, the rewards says space is available. All up until the last page and I keep getting this:
We're sorry! we could not process your request, try again. If the problem persists contact our Call Center (option 3) or send us an email to %[email protected]?subject=e2....021%2009:43:46
E2.1 00517730006 05/11/2021 09:43:46
Whatever date I select whenever there is space, I get the same error message.
I see the flight, the rewards says space is available. All up until the last page and I keep getting this:
We're sorry! we could not process your request, try again. If the problem persists contact our Call Center (option 3) or send us an email to %[email protected]?subject=e2....021%2009:43:46
E2.1 00517730006 05/11/2021 09:43:46
Whatever date I select whenever there is space, I get the same error message.
Nov 5, 2021, 2:07 pm
#2091
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,401
trying to book a lifemiles rewards on an air Canada flight (LAS-YUL) so it isn't domestic.
I see the flight, the rewards says space is available. All up until the last page and I keep getting this:
We're sorry! we could not process your request, try again. If the problem persists contact our Call Center (option 3) or send us an email to %[email protected]?subject=e2....021%2009:43:46
E2.1 00517730006 05/11/2021 09:43:46
Whatever date I select whenever there is space, I get the same error message.
I see the flight, the rewards says space is available. All up until the last page and I keep getting this:
We're sorry! we could not process your request, try again. If the problem persists contact our Call Center (option 3) or send us an email to %[email protected]?subject=e2....021%2009:43:46
E2.1 00517730006 05/11/2021 09:43:46
Whatever date I select whenever there is space, I get the same error message.
Nov 8, 2021, 4:32 pm
#2092
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 574
Quite the headache. im on my 2nd 40 min hold after the first one disconnected.
Nov 10, 2021, 7:02 pm
#2093
Join Date: May 2015
Location: YUL
Programs: AC 50K, *A Gold
Posts: 301
YMMV, i got the same error, i see it on United and on lifemiles as well but the rep do not see it. they want u to email support. then it just becomes a game of getting a hold of them and billing department. I finally got the itinerary i want but couldnt get to billing department to pay the taxes.
Quite the headache. im on my 2nd 40 min hold after the first one disconnected.
Quite the headache. im on my 2nd 40 min hold after the first one disconnected.
They have a problem with any Air Canada flight. I try to search lots of routes, and lots of dates and the lifemiles website shows wide availability (that matches availability on united and air canada's website), but apparently when on the phone with them they are unable to book at as "they don't see it".
I basically transferred thousands of miles for nothing ... And nothing with a stopover with a United flight. This lifemiles thing is worthless, the worst part is before transferring the miles I made sure there was availability but its their systems that has a problem with booking anything Air Canada related. It just "doesn't exist but it shows on their website" which is funny because sometimes it says "2 seats left" .. They say "because of terms and conditions we cannot resend you your miles back to Citi ThankYou". I mean Ok you're right there are terms and conditions ... but your website is misleading me to believe I'll be able to book and at the very end I keep getting an error, and the support cannot even see the flight... Really painful.
Nov 10, 2021, 11:42 pm
#2094
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,401
YMMV, i got the same error, i see it on United and on lifemiles as well but the rep do not see it. they want u to email support. then it just becomes a game of getting a hold of them and billing department. I finally got the itinerary i want but couldnt get to billing department to pay the taxes.
Quite the headache. im on my 2nd 40 min hold after the first one disconnected.
Quite the headache. im on my 2nd 40 min hold after the first one disconnected.
honestly no luck. They speak awful english, the language barrier is horrible when on the phone.
They have a problem with any Air Canada flight. I try to search lots of routes, and lots of dates and the lifemiles website shows wide availability (that matches availability on united and air canada's website), but apparently when on the phone with them they are unable to book at as "they don't see it".
I basically transferred thousands of miles for nothing ... And nothing with a stopover with a United flight. This lifemiles thing is worthless, the worst part is before transferring the miles I made sure there was availability but its their systems that has a problem with booking anything Air Canada related. It just "doesn't exist but it shows on their website" which is funny because sometimes it says "2 seats left" .. They say "because of terms and conditions we cannot resend you your miles back to Citi ThankYou". I mean Ok you're right there are terms and conditions ... but your website is misleading me to believe I'll be able to book and at the very end I keep getting an error, and the support cannot even see the flight... Really painful.
They have a problem with any Air Canada flight. I try to search lots of routes, and lots of dates and the lifemiles website shows wide availability (that matches availability on united and air canada's website), but apparently when on the phone with them they are unable to book at as "they don't see it".
I basically transferred thousands of miles for nothing ... And nothing with a stopover with a United flight. This lifemiles thing is worthless, the worst part is before transferring the miles I made sure there was availability but its their systems that has a problem with booking anything Air Canada related. It just "doesn't exist but it shows on their website" which is funny because sometimes it says "2 seats left" .. They say "because of terms and conditions we cannot resend you your miles back to Citi ThankYou". I mean Ok you're right there are terms and conditions ... but your website is misleading me to believe I'll be able to book and at the very end I keep getting an error, and the support cannot even see the flight... Really painful.
Nov 11, 2021, 12:34 pm
#2095
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 574
2nd ticket, i just set my day to stay home and wait for the phone call. they called after the 19th hour mark.
Nov 15, 2021, 10:18 am
#2096
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DUB, CPH
Programs: SK, LH
Posts: 404
is lufthansa blocking first class tickets for lifemiles?
one of those big bloggers had it on his site and google translate said that first will not be available.
is that true?
is it business going away too or just first?
one of those big bloggers had it on his site and google translate said that first will not be available.
is that true?
is it business going away too or just first?
Nov 15, 2021, 4:44 pm
#2097
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 98
trying to book a lifemiles rewards on an air Canada flight (LAS-YUL) so it isn't domestic.
I see the flight, the rewards says space is available. All up until the last page and I keep getting this:
We're sorry! we could not process your request, try again. If the problem persists contact our Call Center (option 3) or send us an email to %[email protected]?subject=e2....021%2009:43:46
E2.1 00517730006 05/11/2021 09:43:46
Whatever date I select whenever there is space, I get the same error message.
I see the flight, the rewards says space is available. All up until the last page and I keep getting this:
We're sorry! we could not process your request, try again. If the problem persists contact our Call Center (option 3) or send us an email to %[email protected]?subject=e2....021%2009:43:46
E2.1 00517730006 05/11/2021 09:43:46
Whatever date I select whenever there is space, I get the same error message.
Or does anybody know what is the fastest way to resolve this?
Nov 15, 2021, 4:55 pm
#2098
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: IND/FRA
Programs: UA PS, OZ, AS MVP
Posts: 23
It all worked out in the end, but you need patience.
Nov 17, 2021, 1:06 am
#2099
Join Date: May 2015
Location: YUL
Programs: AC 50K, *A Gold
Posts: 301
I finally transferred points to Turkish miles and smiles and booked my AC flight there.
Nov 17, 2021, 9:04 am
#2100
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: Alaska, Bonvoy, HH
Posts: 482
What? AC has definitely been redeemable via LM, as recently as a month ago.
