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)
#1291
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Gold, VS Silver, Hilton Gold, IHG Gold, Wyndham Gold
Posts: 85
https://www.lifemiles.com/terms-conditions
c. Redemption of Award Tickets in Airlines members of Star Alliance (including flights combined with routes of AVIANCA)
....
The charge for redemption of an Award Ticket through www.lifemiles.com with Star Alliance Airlines is US$ 25 + local taxes. Redemption of Award Tickets in other channels shall be subject to a redemption charge depending on the selected route, time in advance of the flight and Elite Status of the redeeming member.
c. Redemption of Award Tickets in Airlines members of Star Alliance (including flights combined with routes of AVIANCA)
....
The charge for redemption of an Award Ticket through www.lifemiles.com with Star Alliance Airlines is US$ 25 + local taxes. Redemption of Award Tickets in other channels shall be subject to a redemption charge depending on the selected route, time in advance of the flight and Elite Status of the redeeming member.
So if I understood it correctly, you pay $25 regardless of whether you book online or call them?
#1292
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,739
Yes, 25$ applies to any booking.
#1294
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
Is all UA availability not showing up on lifemiles right now?
Ive tried a couple routes and haven't shown any dates open on awards where UA is wide open.
Ive tried a couple routes and haven't shown any dates open on awards where UA is wide open.
#1295
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 742
Best way to deal with this is calling to book over the phone? This happens after 'continue to travelers' button is selected.
Sorry, we could not process your request, please try again.
If the problem persists contact our Call center Option 3 or send us an email to %[email protected]?subject=e3%...019%2009:26:38
LifeMiles Team.
E3 13441392226 26/05/2019 09:26:38}
Sorry, we could not process your request, please try again.
If the problem persists contact our Call center Option 3 or send us an email to %[email protected]?subject=e3%...019%2009:26:38
LifeMiles Team.
E3 13441392226 26/05/2019 09:26:38}
#1296
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
Yes. You can call in for this.
#1298
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 59
I've been trying for the last hour or two to book CAI-YYZ-IAD (CAI-YYZ on MS, and YYZ-IAD on AC). I get the error after clicking to add the traveler names. I've tried different browsers, and calling. They're saying that they have an "ongoing issue" with booking AC. Has anyone found any workarounds? I sent an email to support as well.
#1299
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 453
All - I just signed up for Avianca and LifeMiles. Trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong. I can go to the Avianca site and see flights in both Economy and Business from ORD - BOG for sale. When I go to the LifeMiles site, enter the same routes on the same days, I go through Step 1, Departure Date, Step 2 Return Date, then stall there. All I get for every Departure flight date is "Not available"
I am signed in to both Avianca and LifeMiles.
I am signed in to both Avianca and LifeMiles.
#1300
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, UA Gold
Posts: 609
If you have a record locator you can call Avianca and select (eventually) option '3' for Lifemiles, then option '1' (which is something like 'program information, but actually gets you through to the call centre).
Ask them to rerieve the booking and see what's happening. If you book twice you run the risk of the same error happening, or a duplicate in which the airline cancels one or both bookings, or being left with two bookings and having to pay the cancel fee on one of them.
Ask them to rerieve the booking and see what's happening. If you book twice you run the risk of the same error happening, or a duplicate in which the airline cancels one or both bookings, or being left with two bookings and having to pay the cancel fee on one of them.
That's weird that UX flights get canceled using lifemiles even though it shows up as available on the lifemiles site
#1301
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
All - I just signed up for Avianca and LifeMiles. Trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong. I can go to the Avianca site and see flights in both Economy and Business from ORD - BOG for sale. When I go to the LifeMiles site, enter the same routes on the same days, I go through Step 1, Departure Date, Step 2 Return Date, then stall there. All I get for every Departure flight date is "Not available"
#1302
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 453
Ahhhhh...so unlike American or United where they show flights with absurd mileage requirements, I won't see Avianca/LifeMiles unless there are saver equivalent awards?
#1303
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
Lifemiles can be cheap, but there are some major restrictions.
#1304
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 453
Correct. But even then, LM may not show all 'saver' award space that you can see on other star booking tools such as United or Aeroplan. So for example United may show Lufthansa first class, or may show multi leg connections, but Lifemiles just won't have those as options.
Lifemiles can be cheap, but there are some major restrictions.
Lifemiles can be cheap, but there are some major restrictions.
#1305
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
Even American and United don't have different mileage rates and hence different availability for partner flights, only for their own metal.