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)
#1336
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 94
Just tried calling again (previously called this morning) and I was told my case has been "escalated" and that I will "definitely get a call in the morning". I asked about the 72-hour expiry and the agent claimed I had nothing to worry about because the billing department doesn't have a hard expiry on this yet. I guess I'll be trying again at the 70-hour mark if I don't get a call in the morning.
#1338
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 94
Yes! I had a voicemail from them at 5:50 AM PDT. I called back about twenty minutes ago, got connected to the payment department at once, and completed the payment. I see the charge pending on my card already. I was told I should receive the ticketing information in a couple of hours, so hopefully I don't have to hound them any more now.
#1341
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,839
Yes! I had a voicemail from them at 5:50 AM PDT. I called back about twenty minutes ago, got connected to the payment department at once, and completed the payment. I see the charge pending on my card already. I was told I should receive the ticketing information in a couple of hours, so hopefully I don't have to hound them any more now.
#1343
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL DM, AA PlatPro, Hilton DM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 1,532
#1344
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 94
I’ve never had to wait more than 5 minutes for an agent to answer in the morning or afternoon. Maybe the El Salvador office is closed now given the time.
#1345
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: EK Plat
Posts: 244
I know it can sometimes be difficult to see F/J availability on LH but does this extend to Y too?
Trying to book an award from DME to FRA or MUC in August and there seems to be very few seats available compared to what's available on United etc
Is this normal? Does better availability appear closer to departure?
Trying to book an award from DME to FRA or MUC in August and there seems to be very few seats available compared to what's available on United etc
Is this normal? Does better availability appear closer to departure?
#1346
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ Diamond/*G, IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,240
Is the screenshot working for anyone right now? I've emailed a week ago and got 2 emails from support saying that the special team is working on it but space hasn't been reserved and I'm getting nervous. It's a pretty simple one way China-USA 1 stop on BR too so not sure what the hold up could be.
#1347
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: IHG Platinum Elite, AS MVP Gold 75K, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 219
I know it can sometimes be difficult to see F/J availability on LH but does this extend to Y too?
Trying to book an award from DME to FRA or MUC in August and there seems to be very few seats available compared to what's available on United etc
Is this normal? Does better availability appear closer to departure?
Trying to book an award from DME to FRA or MUC in August and there seems to be very few seats available compared to what's available on United etc
Is this normal? Does better availability appear closer to departure?
#1348
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: IHG Platinum Elite, AS MVP Gold 75K, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 219
Their availability shown, as we see time again in this thread, does not necessarily match EF, but sometimes I've seen space using LM when EF shows 0, so there's that, too...
#1349
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: IHG Platinum Elite, AS MVP Gold 75K, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 219
I finally had some miles transferred and booked with LM. And it went...surprisingly smoothly, especially after all the fear mongering on this thread haha. Booked on OS. Count me impressed/surprised
#1350
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: AC 35k
Posts: 1,898
United availability seems to be restored and booking. Air Canada still not booking.