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)
#647
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CGK/LAX
Programs: KF,JMB, OZ, SPG,AA,UA,AS
Posts: 1,163
As far as Thai Smile is concerned, see this thread https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...d-flights.html
#648
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: Flying: VA; Buying: AA, AS, AV, BA, UA!
Posts: 2,349
TG and SQ will be code sharing on their services, but that certainly doesn't mean award seats will be bookable by *A partners...different story for Krisflyer and ROP of course.
#649
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
Nope. For example, using UA miles you can redeem on Starflyer and Air Japan (part of ANA). But on Lifemiles you cannot
#650
Website doesn't show overnight connection, but available separately
Looking at flying DPS-TPE-JFK in October.
I see availability on BR via the UA site, and Lifemiles shows it as available also if I search segment by segment, but it doesn't come up in smart search or if I specify BR for DPS-JFK.
HKG-TPE-JFK comes up fine with lots of BR options.
Could it be due to the overnight connection? (two days)
If so, is this bookable via Lifemiles, by emailing support?
I've read the last 15-20 pages but didn't see this situation addressed, especially after the website update.
I see availability on BR via the UA site, and Lifemiles shows it as available also if I search segment by segment, but it doesn't come up in smart search or if I specify BR for DPS-JFK.
HKG-TPE-JFK comes up fine with lots of BR options.
Could it be due to the overnight connection? (two days)
If so, is this bookable via Lifemiles, by emailing support?
I've read the last 15-20 pages but didn't see this situation addressed, especially after the website update.
#651
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Brisbane
Programs: QF gold, HH Diamond, VA plat, Aegean Gold
Posts: 683
Looking at flying DPS-TPE-JFK in October.
I see availability on BR via the UA site, and Lifemiles shows it as available also if I search segment by segment, but it doesn't come up in smart search or if I specify BR for DPS-JFK.
HKG-TPE-JFK comes up fine with lots of BR options.
Could it be due to the overnight connection? (two days)
If so, is this bookable via Lifemiles, by emailing support?
I've read the last 15-20 pages but didn't see this situation addressed, especially after the website update.
I see availability on BR via the UA site, and Lifemiles shows it as available also if I search segment by segment, but it doesn't come up in smart search or if I specify BR for DPS-JFK.
HKG-TPE-JFK comes up fine with lots of BR options.
Could it be due to the overnight connection? (two days)
If so, is this bookable via Lifemiles, by emailing support?
I've read the last 15-20 pages but didn't see this situation addressed, especially after the website update.
#653
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: Flying: VA; Buying: AA, AS, AV, BA, UA!
Posts: 2,349
#654
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: lax
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold
Posts: 389
Hi, 1st time redeem LM. I was able to print the confirmation page as well as getting the redemption email. It has been 2 days but I didn't see the follow up email with ticket number. Is there one? on EVA air website i was able to pull up the reservation, picked a seat and meal. Am I ok to go on this Sat? where can i find the ticket number?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
#655
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Toronto
Programs: DL, AA, AV, AC
Posts: 83
Hi, 1st time redeem LM. I was able to print the confirmation page as well as getting the redemption email. It has been 2 days but I didn't see the follow up email with ticket number. Is there one? on EVA air website i was able to pull up the reservation, picked a seat and meal. Am I ok to go on this Sat? where can i find the ticket number?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
#656
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,404
Hi, 1st time redeem LM. I was able to print the confirmation page as well as getting the redemption email. It has been 2 days but I didn't see the follow up email with ticket number. Is there one? on EVA air website i was able to pull up the reservation, picked a seat and meal. Am I ok to go on this Sat? where can i find the ticket number?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
#658
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: NH, JL, SQ
Posts: 164
i've only done two LM redemptions so far, but the second time i had to call to finish the redemption, and i got an email from amadeus when my reservation had ticketed which was kind of interesting.
#659
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH G,Hyatt E,*A Gold, OW Emerald.
Posts: 3,023
Hi, 1st time redeem LM. I was able to print the confirmation page as well as getting the redemption email. It has been 2 days but I didn't see the follow up email with ticket number. Is there one? on EVA air website i was able to pull up the reservation, picked a seat and meal. Am I ok to go on this Sat? where can i find the ticket number?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
#660
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 210
When I search from BKK to TYO(NRT) around next Feb, I don't see any availability for most of the dates, in any cabin, while it is wide open on UA.com (TG, EVA, NH, OZ, etc). Is this a known issue