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)
Mar 21, 2019, 1:54 pm
#1156
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,319
We apologize for the encountered experience while trying to redeem your booking. We've escalated your manual booking request to the respective department. We recommend you to be aware of your emails, if your request is approved, the itinerary will be sent to your email address and they'll contact you to the provided number.
Mar 22, 2019, 9:45 am
#1157
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,656
Ok, so after about 12 days I get this response:
So it appears that the "screenshot" method does not work.
Add to that that Lifemiles availability has been terrible recently. Any route I try - nothing at all, all the way till the end of the year.
Time to use up my miles and bail on them, I guess (if I can find a way to use them). Glad I didn't buy any during their recent "promotions".
Our specialized department has canceled your request since the lack of availability is not considered an error since the redemption agreements between each airline and each loyalty program are different. We recommend you to look on alternate routes or dates under our Fly section (LifeMiles number and password needed).
Add to that that Lifemiles availability has been terrible recently. Any route I try - nothing at all, all the way till the end of the year.
Time to use up my miles and bail on them, I guess (if I can find a way to use them). Glad I didn't buy any during their recent "promotions".
Mar 22, 2019, 2:28 pm
#1158
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
Ok, so after about 12 days I get this response:
So it appears that the "screenshot" method does not work.
Add to that that Lifemiles availability has been terrible recently. Any route I try - nothing at all, all the way till the end of the year.
Time to use up my miles and bail on them, I guess (if I can find a way to use them). Glad I didn't buy any during their recent "promotions".
So it appears that the "screenshot" method does not work.
Add to that that Lifemiles availability has been terrible recently. Any route I try - nothing at all, all the way till the end of the year.
Time to use up my miles and bail on them, I guess (if I can find a way to use them). Glad I didn't buy any during their recent "promotions".
Mar 23, 2019, 11:54 am
#1159
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: UA, AA, SPG, HH
Posts: 672
Got it. Thank you very much!
I find the screenshot approach more difficult with the new interface. At least on my laptop, I can't get the date and the segment to appear on the same screen, so it involves stitching a picture together. It's done so let's see if LM will come through or not.
I find the screenshot approach more difficult with the new interface. At least on my laptop, I can't get the date and the segment to appear on the same screen, so it involves stitching a picture together. It's done so let's see if LM will come through or not.
Mar 24, 2019, 6:41 pm
#1160
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,656
Yes, I sent screenshots showing availability on each leg (still available as of now), as well as the desired itinerary (asking to combine both legs into a single trip). The answer was - "no"
Mar 24, 2019, 6:52 pm
#1161
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,319
Hmm, award space disappeared… still no follow up from LM after their first response… this is frustrating
Mar 24, 2019, 8:55 pm
#1162
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 639
Hi, anyone know what's happened to the Star Alliance award chart? Seems none of the links are working. I.e.
https://www.lifemiles.com/blocked?_e...nsid=773806249
https://www.lifemiles.com/blocked?_e...nsid=773806249
Mar 25, 2019, 12:33 am
#1163
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
I wonder if they consider your requested itinerary breaches some sort of routing rules? (there were also no other flights that could have got you from your origin to destination that were showing on line?)
Mar 25, 2019, 7:02 am
#1164
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,656
I am sure they could come up with an explanation. However, my requested itinerary shows up (on a very few dates) as a valid bookable itinerary, so it's not against the rules. There were other flights for the route, but that is not the reason for denial they quoted.
Mar 25, 2019, 2:25 pm
#1165
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
From what you've said, it sounds like A-C is actually available but maybe not on the airlines you wanted?
In that case, LM was correct. Lack of availability for a specific airline on A-C for the day you want is not a reason for them to manually book it (and as you say, it is available on other days, just not the day you want).
Mar 25, 2019, 2:48 pm
#1166
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,838
I've never sent A-C before and booked a few screenshot itins
Mar 25, 2019, 4:27 pm
#1167
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,319
For the screenshot method you also need to send a screenshot showing NO availability for the route you wish to book. So you send A-B and B-C, but there needs to be a third one that shows A-C is not available online.
From what you've said, it sounds like A-C is actually available but maybe not on the airlines you wanted?
In that case, LM was correct. Lack of availability for a specific airline on A-C for the day you want is not a reason for them to manually book it (and as you say, it is available on other days, just not the day you want).
From what you've said, it sounds like A-C is actually available but maybe not on the airlines you wanted?
In that case, LM was correct. Lack of availability for a specific airline on A-C for the day you want is not a reason for them to manually book it (and as you say, it is available on other days, just not the day you want).
Interesting. What about A-C available in economy only (i'm looking for J)
Mar 25, 2019, 8:19 pm
#1169
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
I guess if you don’t sent the A-C maybe LM does the check anyway? In the case of tr3k, if LM checked and found an alternate set of airlines operating A-C they had grounds to deny the manual booking request.
Same would apply for helvetic... LM would say that lack of availability isn’t reason to do a manual booking process.
Same would apply for helvetic... LM would say that lack of availability isn’t reason to do a manual booking process.
Mar 25, 2019, 9:55 pm
#1170
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,656
I am sure you can come up with an explanation, but the fact remains - the screen shot booking method is at the mercy of Lifemiles, as there are no official rules. They can do whatever they want.