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)
Aug 12, 2014, 10:24 pm
#301
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYO
Programs: AP 75k
Posts: 137
Another data point for NH...booked Aug. 9 and everything seemed to go through fine (payment and PNR created on CMT) but not ticketed over the weekend. Was not ticketed on NH website and given a purchase deadline of today 23:59.
Decided to send them an email about 12 hours before the deadline. Received ticketing confirmation a few hours ago along with an email stating that it has been ticketed. Not sure if sending the email prompted some intervention that led to it being ticketed.
TLDR; took just under 80 hours to ticket; 8 hours prior to purchasing deadline.
Decided to send them an email about 12 hours before the deadline. Received ticketing confirmation a few hours ago along with an email stating that it has been ticketed. Not sure if sending the email prompted some intervention that led to it being ticketed.
TLDR; took just under 80 hours to ticket; 8 hours prior to purchasing deadline.
Aug 17, 2014, 7:26 am
#302
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,682
has anyone managed to book a ticket on ai using lifemiles????
i see a lot of availability on many different routes but when i try to book it gives me the following error:
i called them to book but they say there are no seats available & that is the reason for the error....i find it hard to believe that every ai flight has no availability even through they are showing availability on lifemiles.com....
i see a lot of availability on many different routes but when i try to book it gives me the following error:
Sorry, There was problem while processing your transaction.
Please try again.If the problem persists or you need additional information please contact LifeMiles Support.
Please try again.If the problem persists or you need additional information please contact LifeMiles Support.
Aug 21, 2014, 12:48 pm
#303
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 227
has anyone managed to book a ticket on ai using lifemiles????
i see a lot of availability on many different routes but when i try to book it gives me the following error:
i called them to book but they say there are no seats available & that is the reason for the error....i find it hard to believe that every ai flight has no availability even through they are showing availability on lifemiles.com....
i see a lot of availability on many different routes but when i try to book it gives me the following error:
i called them to book but they say there are no seats available & that is the reason for the error....i find it hard to believe that every ai flight has no availability even through they are showing availability on lifemiles.com....
Aug 22, 2014, 12:09 am
#304
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Singapore
Posts: 2,317
I am also getting the same error message for two days running now.
Aug 22, 2014, 12:53 pm
#305
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,682
I am having the same problem on all flights - I think their website is up the creek and they have still not responded on the [email protected] address even after 3 days!
it would have been a lot easier if their website worked but i'm happy with the way they handled the booking....
the one thing that bothered me is that when i first called to report the problem i was told that there is no availability even though i could see it online....i didn't believe the phone agent as i was getting the same error with every air india flight....so i just sent in the email & magically availability appeared....
Sep 1, 2014, 9:06 am
#306
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 411
When trying to book AI with lifemiles, some sectors are showing the message, 'The itinerary you are searching for is not available at this moment. If you chose a specific airline for your search, please try with another one or don’t select any to broaden your flight options.
While some sectors pull up, they are not bookable. We keep getting error message for them.was anyone able to book AI sectors online?
While some sectors pull up, they are not bookable. We keep getting error message for them.was anyone able to book AI sectors online?
Sep 2, 2014, 4:57 am
#307
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: LAX / TXL
Posts: 2,185
I have a quick question what the forum thinks
booked 2 people on a woodcutter flight, and managed to slip in a spelling mistake (one letter to much in the middle of the last name).
usually I would call and have them amend the booking but not sure due to the nature.
it involves the land of the free so I wonder if it could pose a problem. multiple airlines (not AV) so calling one of the operating carriers probably won't help?
booked 2 people on a woodcutter flight, and managed to slip in a spelling mistake (one letter to much in the middle of the last name).
usually I would call and have them amend the booking but not sure due to the nature.
it involves the land of the free so I wonder if it could pose a problem. multiple airlines (not AV) so calling one of the operating carriers probably won't help?
Sep 2, 2014, 4:27 pm
#308
formerly mattking2000
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: DXB
Programs: BA|AC|AZ|SPG|H|FPC
Posts: 1,187
Has anyone been able to find any TATL J availability to southern Europe for the end of September?
I found wide availability on LO about 15 minutes ago but when I refreshed they were gone (all of them), and I have a hard time believing they've all been booked. Deleting temporary internet files/cookies have not worked. Thoughts?
I found wide availability on LO about 15 minutes ago but when I refreshed they were gone (all of them), and I have a hard time believing they've all been booked. Deleting temporary internet files/cookies have not worked. Thoughts?
Sep 7, 2014, 5:42 pm
#309
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Singapore
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1MM/1k
Posts: 477
Made two redemption on their website. Both are for three passengers.
For both cases, only miles for one passenger were deducted, and ticket still not issued after 40 hours (over the weekend though).
I can see both reservation on checkmytrip.com, and transactions on my credit card were successful. Shall I worry?
For both cases, only miles for one passenger were deducted, and ticket still not issued after 40 hours (over the weekend though).
I can see both reservation on checkmytrip.com, and transactions on my credit card were successful. Shall I worry?
Sep 7, 2014, 5:44 pm
#310
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Brisbane
Programs: QF gold, HH Diamond, VA plat, Aegean Gold
Posts: 683
Made two redemption on their website. Both are for three passengers.
For both cases, only miles for one passenger were deducted, and ticket still not issued after 40 hours (over the weekend though).
I can see both reservation on checkmytrip.com, and transactions on my credit card were successful. Shall I worry?
For both cases, only miles for one passenger were deducted, and ticket still not issued after 40 hours (over the weekend though).
I can see both reservation on checkmytrip.com, and transactions on my credit card were successful. Shall I worry?
Sep 7, 2014, 9:51 pm
#311
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, SPG Platinum, Hilton Diamond, A3 Gold
Posts: 601
Made two redemption on their website. Both are for three passengers.
For both cases, only miles for one passenger were deducted, and ticket still not issued after 40 hours (over the weekend though).
I can see both reservation on checkmytrip.com, and transactions on my credit card were successful. Shall I worry?
For both cases, only miles for one passenger were deducted, and ticket still not issued after 40 hours (over the weekend though).
I can see both reservation on checkmytrip.com, and transactions on my credit card were successful. Shall I worry?
Sep 8, 2014, 7:35 am
#312
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 36
Encountered the same situation over the weekend. They said to wait for 24-48 hours and call if still not ticketed.
Sep 15, 2014, 8:20 am
#313
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
Just another reference point for time taken to ticket. Just made a redemption on SQ on A380 for 2 pax in C for one-way SE Asia to Europe and it went all through okay online (using a credit card that I had used before). The time between reservation confirmation and issued etickets was - hold your breath - 49mins. Yes no joke, I couldn't believe it myself.
Went to SQ site and pulled up the booking then made seat and meal reservations. eticket number properly reflected and CMT also says all is fine. Impressed. I guess I got to buy a lottery ticket as I seem to be having one very lucky day
Went to SQ site and pulled up the booking then made seat and meal reservations. eticket number properly reflected and CMT also says all is fine. Impressed. I guess I got to buy a lottery ticket as I seem to be having one very lucky day
Sep 15, 2014, 8:22 am
#314
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
Don't be so surprised... a lot of the award bookings ticket (almost) instantly, only some don't.
Sep 15, 2014, 12:26 pm
#315
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: CDG
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 1,611
Just another reference point for time taken to ticket. Just made a redemption on SQ on A380 for 2 pax in C for one-way SE Asia to Europe and it went all through okay online (using a credit card that I had used before). The time between reservation confirmation and issued etickets was - hold your breath - 49mins. Yes no joke, I couldn't believe it myself.
Went to SQ site and pulled up the booking then made seat and meal reservations. eticket number properly reflected and CMT also says all is fine. Impressed. I guess I got to buy a lottery ticket as I seem to be having one very lucky day
Went to SQ site and pulled up the booking then made seat and meal reservations. eticket number properly reflected and CMT also says all is fine. Impressed. I guess I got to buy a lottery ticket as I seem to be having one very lucky day