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)
Apr 28, 2017, 10:00 pm
#528
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Internet
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan
Posts: 714
You can TWOV at DME but if you have checked luggage, it will be a problem. Also, which CIS country? Belarus is considered Russia domestic for these purposes. You'd have a problem transiting DME without a Russian visa in this case (even with a Belarus visa) since you wouldn't legally be in Russia, assuming you even get that far.
Ive been in the market for LX or OS J in June. Since this error has showed up, I have been unable to book. I tried some alternate destinations today, and I was able to find J award space on LX from DME-ZRH-ORD that I could get to the passenger info page. This is odd considering there is no available award space ZRH-ORD on a separate search. It is very tempting to try and book this, but I am unsure of transit difficulties through DME arriving on a separate ticket (coming from a CIS country). United did show the same space.
There was award space available on OS DME-VIE-ORD, but I was unable to get past the selection page.
There was award space available on OS DME-VIE-ORD, but I was unable to get past the selection page.
Apr 30, 2017, 4:45 pm
#529
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: IAH, HOU
Programs: MileagePlus 1K, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,073
Apr 30, 2017, 6:29 pm
#530
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: AY Platinum, UA Premier Platinum, OneWorld Emerald, VA Platinum
Posts: 558
May 1, 2017, 10:11 am
#531
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: IAH, HOU
Programs: MileagePlus 1K, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,073
This is interesting. I am not having any trouble with OS flights in June either but flights in May, I receive an error. Trying to book ORD-VIE on May 10 and getting an error. Tried YYZ-VIE on June 20 and works fine. I don't imagine there is some type of a restriction on booking on-line redemption flights close to departure, is there?
May 1, 2017, 11:00 pm
#532
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: AY Platinum, UA Premier Platinum, OneWorld Emerald, VA Platinum
Posts: 558
May 2, 2017, 4:30 am
#533
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: AZ FA+, A3 G, AB G | IHG RA, HGP D, FPC P, Accor P, BW D, HH D, Eleva, GHA P, 1862 Voyager
Posts: 1,852
Same issue here...
Trying to book an OS flight and keep getting Errors before the page to enter my name.
Whats the best way to get the ticketed booked? (The availability is also showing up on ANA and AC but really high YQ)
Trying to book an OS flight and keep getting Errors before the page to enter my name.
Whats the best way to get the ticketed booked? (The availability is also showing up on ANA and AC but really high YQ)
May 2, 2017, 10:41 am
#534
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 153
You can TWOV at DME but if you have checked luggage, it will be a problem. Also, which CIS country? Belarus is considered Russia domestic for these purposes. You'd have a problem transiting DME without a Russian visa in this case (even with a Belarus visa) since you wouldn't legally be in Russia, assuming you even get that far.
May 2, 2017, 2:50 pm
#535
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: IAH, HOU
Programs: MileagePlus 1K, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,073
Also, it seems that I have been able to isolate the problem to OS flights within the next month or so. Other airlines are not affected. For instance, trying to book a UA flight in two days and no issues at all.
Last edited by vdostoi1; May 2, 2017 at 2:59 pm
May 2, 2017, 9:35 pm
#536
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,714
When is your date of travel? If there is time (and I hear it takes about 3-4 days), then emailing them will do the trick (and based on data points, this is less painful then calling to book). If not, you may need to call.
Also, it seems that I have been able to isolate the problem to OS flights within the next month or so. Other airlines are not affected. For instance, trying to book a UA flight in two days and no issues at all.
Also, it seems that I have been able to isolate the problem to OS flights within the next month or so. Other airlines are not affected. For instance, trying to book a UA flight in two days and no issues at all.
Last edited by iluvdoco; May 3, 2017 at 5:22 am
May 8, 2017, 11:40 am
#537
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,714
Has anyone else's searches been erroring out more than usual?
May 8, 2017, 10:05 pm
#538
Suspended
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold
Posts: 2,863
May 18, 2017, 6:21 am
#539
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 68
I have never used Lifemiles and I am curious as there is a promotion going on. I searched up tickets from Toronto to HK with Eva Air on August 6/7? It's available - will I have troubles booking? Reason I am asking is I don't want to buy and be left with miles I cannot use..
May 18, 2017, 9:07 am
#540
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CGK/LAX
Programs: KF,JMB, OZ, SPG,AA,UA,AS
Posts: 1,163
I have never used Lifemiles and I am curious as there is a promotion going on. I searched up tickets from Toronto to HK with Eva Air on August 6/7? It's available - will I have troubles booking? Reason I am asking is I don't want to buy and be left with miles I cannot use..
