May 21, 2014, 7:31 pm
Last edit by: Tokyoite
Coronawiki (March 2020)
Does anyone know if Lifemiles will waive cancellation fees for an award ticket due to COVID-19 concerns?
Unfortunately, barring an outright flight cancellation, Lifemiles will not waive cancel fees.
Just pay the $200 as a "self caution fee". (nobody is actually preventing you the passenger from flying as you booked).
In the future, it would be wise to invest in travel insurance.
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Transferring Amex MR points will extend expiration of LM. Post #906 confirms this. Expiration date updates overnight, so wait 24 hours after the transferred miles have posted to LM.
LifeMiles' Star Alliance Award Chart
Cash & Miles redemptions: the price per mile purchased during award booking varies significantly depending on how many miles are purchased. The "sweet spots" are between 38% and 58% of the total mileage required, where miles are purchased for 1.5 cents. See here for some examples.
Beware of Cabotage: LifeMiles has been known to issue tickets that constitute Cabotage, and at least one instance of denied boarding has been reported, stranding the passenger. An example is travel on Avianca from LAX to SJU (via SAL/BOG). For additional information see the WIKI of this thread.
https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/abo/wnb/wnbtercond.aspx
Does anyone know if Lifemiles will waive cancellation fees for an award ticket due to COVID-19 concerns?
Unfortunately, barring an outright flight cancellation, Lifemiles will not waive cancel fees.
Just pay the $200 as a "self caution fee". (nobody is actually preventing you the passenger from flying as you booked).
In the future, it would be wise to invest in travel insurance.
=====
Transferring Amex MR points will extend expiration of LM. Post #906 confirms this. Expiration date updates overnight, so wait 24 hours after the transferred miles have posted to LM.
LifeMiles' Star Alliance Award Chart
Cash & Miles redemptions: the price per mile purchased during award booking varies significantly depending on how many miles are purchased. The "sweet spots" are between 38% and 58% of the total mileage required, where miles are purchased for 1.5 cents. See here for some examples.
Beware of Cabotage: LifeMiles has been known to issue tickets that constitute Cabotage, and at least one instance of denied boarding has been reported, stranding the passenger. An example is travel on Avianca from LAX to SJU (via SAL/BOG). For additional information see the WIKI of this thread.
https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/abo/wnb/wnbtercond.aspx
Miles Expiration Policy valid from April 15th , 2018.
- Any miles accrual transaction in a member´s account in the Program extends the validity of the miles in the account of such member for a term of twelve (12) months from the date of such accrual of miles. Other transactions that may affect the balance of miles in a member’s account, including redemption transactions, will have no effect on them and will not extend the validity of the miles in such account. This general rule will have the following exceptions that extend the validity of such miles in the account of such member for twenty-four (24) months from the date of such accrual: (i) any accrual of miles in a member´s account with an Elite Status at the time of the accrual; (ii) any accrual of miles derived from a cobranded credit or debit cards under the LifeMiles brand.
- ......the following accrual activities do not extend the validity of the miles in the member´s account: 1) the birthday bonus or any other miles bonus that may be given by the LifeMiles Program and LifeMiles LTD so establishes.; 2) the migration of points or miles from other loyalty programs to the LifeMiles Program made as a consequence of the union of both loyalty programs or the migration of one member from another loyalty program to the LifeMiles Program; and 3) the merger of accounts of the LifeMiles Program, including those derived from a member´s duplicate accounts.
LM Newbie Lounge: Ask your Questions Here (Flame Free)
Mar 9, 2020, 8:00 pm
#917
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: USA
Programs: DL PM - IC RA - HHonors Gold - Hertz Gold - AA - US - CO - Choice Privileges
Posts: 1,663
No, Lifemiles will not waive the cancellation fee. Unless the airline cancels the flight the better option is to call to cancel and pay the $200. Based on the wiki call a at least 48 hour prior to departure.
Mar 11, 2020, 10:52 am
#918
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH G,Hyatt E,*A Gold, OW Emerald.
Posts: 3,023
Just stomach the $200 as a "self caution fee". (nobody is actually preventing you from flying, just your own personal health risk caution based on the news reported.)
In the future, it would be wise to invest in travel insurance.
Last edited by Tokyoite; Apr 10, 2020 at 5:29 pm
Apr 4, 2020, 11:28 am
#919
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 122
unfortunately, barring an outright flight cancellation, Lifemiles will not waive cancel fees.
Just stomach the $200 as a "self caution fee". (nobody is actually preventing you from flying, just your own personal health risk caution based on the news reported.
In the future, it would be wise to invest in travel insurance.
Just stomach the $200 as a "self caution fee". (nobody is actually preventing you from flying, just your own personal health risk caution based on the news reported.
In the future, it would be wise to invest in travel insurance.
On another note: I called in today to make another reservation and the Lifemiles call center is closed indefinitely. This doesn't bode well for the solvency of the business IMO. They're currently fielding all support requests over email from what I can tell.
Apr 4, 2020, 11:51 am
#920
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Seattle & Seoul.... and now, Maastricht....
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, NWA WorldPerks deserter, Alaska Airlines Something-er-Other...
Posts: 1,888
Apr 4, 2020, 3:26 pm
#921
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
Apr 4, 2020, 4:59 pm
#922
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 122
Sure. But the problem is, you can't even make award bookings on the website from what I can tell. At least based on the route I tried to purchase. They've put a hold on the reservation and will be calling me at some point presumably to collect payment for the fees. I honestly don't feel great about it.
Apr 5, 2020, 2:44 pm
#923
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Seattle & Seoul.... and now, Maastricht....
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, NWA WorldPerks deserter, Alaska Airlines Something-er-Other...
Posts: 1,888
Sure. But the problem is, you can't even make award bookings on the website from what I can tell. At least based on the route I tried to purchase. They've put a hold on the reservation and will be calling me at some point presumably to collect payment for the fees. I honestly don't feel great about it.
Apr 5, 2020, 3:19 pm
#924
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
You have up to 12 months after the flight to effect the cancellation. LM doesn't have any penalties for 'no shows'.
Apr 8, 2020, 9:32 am
#925
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Southern CA
Posts: 42
I booked LAX-BOG-UIO (A330/A320) and UIO-SAL-LAX (A319/A321). Can anyone confirm if the Avianca Plus seats (rows 7-8 on A330 and 7-10 on A321) on these planes have more pitch? The Avianca website says they have "more space," but Seatguru classifies those seats the same as the other economy seats. Thank you!
Apr 21, 2020, 6:27 pm
#926
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,841
Apr 21, 2020, 6:48 pm
#927
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
If the ticket is a through ticket, you can request the refund now.
Apr 21, 2020, 8:18 pm
#928
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,841
Apr 23, 2020, 5:54 pm
#930
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,838
Back in the day when Lifemiles had minimal ticket cancellation fee, redeeming for a ticket 50% existing + 50% top-up miles was a way to generate miles at a discount when ticket was cancelled.