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)
Jun 15, 2014, 11:16 pm
#256
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: MDE
Programs: AA EP, CM PP, AV GM, UA Silver, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,002
If I were in your shoes, I would try another browser and see if the problem persists. With your PNR and ticket number handy, LH has your reservation, so just call them and ask why it isn't working. I'm sure they'll either fix it or explain it.
Jun 17, 2014, 6:38 am
#257
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,125
This is a known issue. Try selecting seats using the LOT website (or other partner).
Jun 17, 2014, 8:23 am
#258
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: SIN
Programs: BA Executive Club, SQ Krisflyer
Posts: 356
Trying to book a SIN/LAX and IAH/SIN in October.. Initial flight page shows up Ok, but when I try to select a flight for SIN/LAX, it gives an error. Actually, all the flights on that date in Oct (5 options) give an error.. Then when I searched again, that date was shown as full.
Then for IAH/SIN.. the flight I wanted gave an error but all other options were fine..
Any ideas whats happening?
Then for IAH/SIN.. the flight I wanted gave an error but all other options were fine..
Any ideas whats happening?
Jun 18, 2014, 12:20 am
#259
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ, UA, Delta, BMI(RIP), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond (Thanks Amex) Hyatt Discov
Posts: 1,942
Trying to book a SIN/LAX and IAH/SIN in October.. Initial flight page shows up Ok, but when I try to select a flight for SIN/LAX, it gives an error. Actually, all the flights on that date in Oct (5 options) give an error.. Then when I searched again, that date was shown as full.
Then for IAH/SIN.. the flight I wanted gave an error but all other options were fine..
Any ideas whats happening?
Then for IAH/SIN.. the flight I wanted gave an error but all other options were fine..
Any ideas whats happening?
Jun 18, 2014, 12:59 am
#260
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: 7,741
Jun 18, 2014, 5:07 am
#261
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ, UA, Delta, BMI(RIP), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond (Thanks Amex) Hyatt Discov
Posts: 1,942
Although BR flights in I on SIN-LAX route do tend to show up more routinely at T-14 - sometimes with the first SIN-TPE sector on SQ ( longer connection time in TPE), sometime all BR metal. And now a days lots of Air China availability T-14 SIN to USA, but Air China Business class experience has not been good for family
Jun 18, 2014, 11:05 pm
#262
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: 7,741
T-14 is okay if you got the flexibility I agree. I usually need it further out to coordinate travel plans and lock in leave so will have to compromise in what carriers and seat product I can book in Biz well in advance. Air China is a no-go with the Missus. 
If the cancellation wasn't such a b*tch one could lock in an alternative itinerary and then get a better option once inventory opens up, but I try to avoid that headache as much as I can.
If the cancellation wasn't such a b*tch one could lock in an alternative itinerary and then get a better option once inventory opens up, but I try to avoid that headache as much as I can.
Jun 26, 2014, 8:01 am
#263
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: CDG
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 1,611
These oddities are so weird, did 2 searches, SIN-AKL-SIN-TYO with SQ in J, the AKL-SIN-TYO segments errors out after showing availability. I did the same search replacing AKL with CHC and that one worked all to way to the payment page! So bug or intentional ghost availability? (AKL-SIN works as a single one way and so does SIN-TYO)
Jun 27, 2014, 7:35 pm
#264
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: AA Exec Plat, UA , SPG Plat, Marriott Gold, United, Aeroplan, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 144
. do you think calling to book it will help?
Jun 29, 2014, 4:40 am
#265
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ, UA, Delta, BMI(RIP), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond (Thanks Amex) Hyatt Discov
Posts: 1,942
Calling in will not help. They see what you see, warts and all
Jun 29, 2014, 4:49 am
#266
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ, UA, Delta, BMI(RIP), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond (Thanks Amex) Hyatt Discov
Posts: 1,942
T-14 is okay if you got the flexibility I agree. I usually need it further out to coordinate travel plans and lock in leave so will have to compromise in what carriers and seat product I can book in Biz well in advance. Air China is a no-go with the Missus.
If the cancellation wasn't such a b*tch one could lock in an alternative itinerary and then get a better option once inventory opens up, but I try to avoid that headache as much as I can.
If the cancellation wasn't such a b*tch one could lock in an alternative itinerary and then get a better option once inventory opens up, but I try to avoid that headache as much as I can.
Why don't you use SQ KF miles as back up to lock in flights first, then if LM opens up T-14, cancel the SQ award flights (easy to do, and minimum cost to cancel and redeposit) that way you can control the process better. But then of course you need SQ KF miles, but since you are SIN based, that should be easy to do ( 4 miles per S$1 spend with some cards, most others give you 1.8 to 1.6 easily per S$1 spend)
Jun 30, 2014, 7:54 am
#267
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: SIN
Programs: BA Executive Club, SQ Krisflyer
Posts: 356
Surprisingly, I managed to book the flights I wanted on the new BR cabin. A couple of emails with the relevant screenshots with the error, they booked it for me, and called me for the payment! Fantastic service, I have to say that LM service has tremendously improved over the past year.
Jun 30, 2014, 8:48 pm
#268
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: 7,741
Surprisingly, I managed to book the flights I wanted on the new BR cabin. A couple of emails with the relevant screenshots with the error, they booked it for me, and called me for the payment! Fantastic service, I have to say that LM service has tremendously improved over the past year.
The one thing I did though was compare the BR "phantom" availability to ANA tool and it came up blank over there for same days/ routes that LM showed as supposedly available. Strange one. Will keep an eye on it.
Jun 30, 2014, 8:52 pm
#269
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: 7,741
I have found cancellation is not as bad as some other people's experiences.
Why don't you use SQ KF miles as back up to lock in flights first, then if LM opens up T-14, cancel the SQ award flights (easy to do, and minimum cost to cancel and redeposit) that way you can control the process better. But then of course you need SQ KF miles, but since you are SIN based, that should be easy to do ( 4 miles per S$1 spend with some cards, most others give you 1.8 to 1.6 easily per S$1 spend)
Why don't you use SQ KF miles as back up to lock in flights first, then if LM opens up T-14, cancel the SQ award flights (easy to do, and minimum cost to cancel and redeposit) that way you can control the process better. But then of course you need SQ KF miles, but since you are SIN based, that should be easy to do ( 4 miles per S$1 spend with some cards, most others give you 1.8 to 1.6 easily per S$1 spend)
Jul 8, 2014, 3:38 pm
#270
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: CDG
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 1,611
Am I the only one seeing less availability than usual today?