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 30, 2019, 12:22 pm
#1201
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
Don't worry about the middle name thing, it doesn't matter at all. I never include my own middle name on my bookings unless it's United where it's saved on my profile (just too lazy to do it) and have never ever had any issues in 100+ flights a year of flying. You won't have any issues, as long as first/last are correct, so don't worry about it.
Even typos are usually not an issue.
Even typos are usually not an issue.
Mar 30, 2019, 7:22 pm
#1202
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 84
Lifemiles takes extra liberties with their own flights?
I had booked my first ever Avianca Lifemiles award a few months ago. EZE-ORD through BOG.
I was thinking "Why does everyone complain about them so much?" I did it all online and it went smoothly. Then the fun starts. A month later they changed my route to EZE-LIM-SAL-ORD, which OK, I wasn't thrilled with, but whatever. But then another month or so later, they emailed me to say that EZE-LIM was canceled And changed my itinerary completely again to go EZE-BOG-GUA-ORD and made me leave EZE at 12:30 a.m. instead of 6:00 a.m. One, that's BS because the same flight number EZE-LIM is still available, just now leaving a little earlier. But whatever, I kinda' was looking forward to going through BOG.
But this week, they've really canceled their GUA-ORD flights, and emailed me to tell me so, and tell me to call in.
So I call in, spend 40 min on their annoying hold.. Meanwhile I checked and there are plenty of Star Alliance flights BOG-PTY-ORD that will work, and I tried to suggest those. But the agent immediately shot me down saying we can't use Copa. The call took another 45 min., and the agent eventually did build me a completely different itinerary, not leaving at midnight, and this time, connecting finally MIA-ORD and that leg is on AA. I was really surprised they went out of the star alliance to make up an award flight. I'm happy with the end result, but not particularly happy about the process. So, yeah, I learned that dealing with them does take a little patience.
I was thinking "Why does everyone complain about them so much?" I did it all online and it went smoothly. Then the fun starts. A month later they changed my route to EZE-LIM-SAL-ORD, which OK, I wasn't thrilled with, but whatever. But then another month or so later, they emailed me to say that EZE-LIM was canceled And changed my itinerary completely again to go EZE-BOG-GUA-ORD and made me leave EZE at 12:30 a.m. instead of 6:00 a.m. One, that's BS because the same flight number EZE-LIM is still available, just now leaving a little earlier. But whatever, I kinda' was looking forward to going through BOG.
But this week, they've really canceled their GUA-ORD flights, and emailed me to tell me so, and tell me to call in.
So I call in, spend 40 min on their annoying hold.. Meanwhile I checked and there are plenty of Star Alliance flights BOG-PTY-ORD that will work, and I tried to suggest those. But the agent immediately shot me down saying we can't use Copa. The call took another 45 min., and the agent eventually did build me a completely different itinerary, not leaving at midnight, and this time, connecting finally MIA-ORD and that leg is on AA. I was really surprised they went out of the star alliance to make up an award flight. I'm happy with the end result, but not particularly happy about the process. So, yeah, I learned that dealing with them does take a little patience.
Apr 2, 2019, 8:19 am
#1203
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
Sorry if this has been answered. I’m having trouble formulating an effective search for it.
i recently had to have the call center set up a booking for me on AC because the website would not complete the transaction. Yesterday, LM called to ticket and collect the taxes, etc. The flight is ticketed and shows up on AC. But lifemiles have still not been deducted from my account. Is this common? I would love to keep the miles but fear showing up in KIX to be told by AC there is a problem.
i recently had to have the call center set up a booking for me on AC because the website would not complete the transaction. Yesterday, LM called to ticket and collect the taxes, etc. The flight is ticketed and shows up on AC. But lifemiles have still not been deducted from my account. Is this common? I would love to keep the miles but fear showing up in KIX to be told by AC there is a problem.
Apr 2, 2019, 3:22 pm
#1204
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
Sorry if this has been answered. I’m having trouble formulating an effective search for it.
i recently had to have the call center set up a booking for me on AC because the website would not complete the transaction. Yesterday, LM called to ticket and collect the taxes, etc. The flight is ticketed and shows up on AC. But lifemiles have still not been deducted from my account. Is this common? I would love to keep the miles but fear showing up in KIX to be told by AC there is a problem.
i recently had to have the call center set up a booking for me on AC because the website would not complete the transaction. Yesterday, LM called to ticket and collect the taxes, etc. The flight is ticketed and shows up on AC. But lifemiles have still not been deducted from my account. Is this common? I would love to keep the miles but fear showing up in KIX to be told by AC there is a problem.
Apr 3, 2019, 3:19 pm
#1205
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
Keep an eye on this. It should work itself out (LM agents are pretty competent). If it doesn't, You need to ensure the ticket doesn't auto-cancel through non-payment. I'm not sure if AC has any special timelines (some airlines like Qatar and Singapore could be as little as 24 hours), but if they don't, you probably don't want to leave it more than 72 hours.
They were pretty casual about it. My trip is not going to be for several months, so I'd probably be able to find a backup and I guess I just won't worry about it.
Last edited by lkar; Apr 4, 2019 at 1:58 pm
Apr 5, 2019, 7:43 pm
#1206
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
New web interface
What is the best way to go about booking, say, LH F? The new web interface seems even more difficult than the old one. With the old one, I was able to find some LH F flights with availability (just as a test -- I haven't booked anything yet ever), but the new one has me stumped. I can put in a a route where LH flies the 74H, and select "first/business" and tomorrow (to start), and it shows me a week at a time with a "from LH" number, but if I pick a date, it has columns for Y and J, no F, and even J is usually not shown, even moving down day by day by day. Should I search elsewhere first, then search LifeMiles when I have dates that should be available?
Apr 6, 2019, 1:59 am
#1207
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
What is the best way to go about booking, say, LH F? The new web interface seems even more difficult than the old one. With the old one, I was able to find some LH F flights with availability (just as a test -- I haven't booked anything yet ever), but the new one has me stumped. I can put in a a route where LH flies the 74H, and select "first/business" and tomorrow (to start), and it shows me a week at a time with a "from LH" number, but if I pick a date, it has columns for Y and J, no F, and even J is usually not shown, even moving down day by day by day. Should I search elsewhere first, then search LifeMiles when I have dates that should be available?
It is there, maybe just not on the routes your are searching. (LM availabilility for LH F doesn't necessarily match what might be offered by UA though. LM is usually much more restrictive.)
Apr 6, 2019, 8:03 am
#1208
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
I put in ORD-FRA for departures starting 7 April, LH F shows (87k). On 8 April both LH flights have F availability.
It is there, maybe just not on the routes your are searching. (LM availabilility for LH F doesn't necessarily match what might be offered by UA though. LM is usually much more restrictive.)
It is there, maybe just not on the routes your are searching. (LM availabilility for LH F doesn't necessarily match what might be offered by UA though. LM is usually much more restrictive.)
Apr 8, 2019, 8:32 pm
#1209
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: HSV
Programs: Hy Glob,Choice Dia, MR TIT,IHG SPR,HH Dia, Wyn Dia, UA Sil, WN Alis, Hert 5*, National EE
Posts: 1,188
I booked 2 oneway domestic tickets on ua using LMs last Thursday. I went to United and the reservations were there Thursday Now I can’t access them.
Who do I call about this. Flights are next week
Who do I call about this. Flights are next week
Apr 9, 2019, 11:23 am
#1210
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,393
Call LifeMiles. Can you pull up the reservation online at avianca.com or the avianca app?
Apr 9, 2019, 4:10 pm
#1211
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: HSV
Programs: Hy Glob,Choice Dia, MR TIT,IHG SPR,HH Dia, Wyn Dia, UA Sil, WN Alis, Hert 5*, National EE
Posts: 1,188
I can’t pull up on either.
other thing that has me worried is no email confirmation or cc charged. It does show the miles out of the account. And like I mentioned the reservation showed on UA website the day I booked
other thing that has me worried is no email confirmation or cc charged. It does show the miles out of the account. And like I mentioned the reservation showed on UA website the day I booked
Apr 10, 2019, 10:15 am
#1213
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH G,Hyatt E,*A Gold, OW Emerald.
Posts: 3,023
Thanks. I called in today because it was about 4 days since I put the reservation on hold and about 48 hours since they took payment for the taxes. After a long hold, they basically said, "ehh, don't worry about, they'll get around to it, the ticket is good, and just make sure you don't take the miles out of your account before they get deducted for the ticket."
They were pretty casual about it. My trip is not going to be for several months, so I'd probably be able to find a backup and I guess I just won't worry about it.
They were pretty casual about it. My trip is not going to be for several months, so I'd probably be able to find a backup and I guess I just won't worry about it.
If you still dont see a ticket number, call urgently, you may no longer have a ticket (due to cancellation by AC because of lack of payment from LM)
Apr 10, 2019, 6:13 pm
#1214
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
Do you have a ticket number? You can check here (link) or on the Air Canada website.
If you still dont see a ticket number, call urgently, you may no longer have a ticket (due to cancellation by AC because of lack of payment from LM)
If you still dont see a ticket number, call urgently, you may no longer have a ticket (due to cancellation by AC because of lack of payment from LM)
Apr 11, 2019, 1:21 pm
#1215
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
Am I the only one who can't get lifemiles to load? I'm on a Mac, and I've tried Chrome, Firefox and Safari. Every time I login, it takes me to an error page or blank page. This is day 5 of the same problem on two computers and from two different cities.