May 26, 2014, 8:47 am
Last edit by: SingaporeDon
Every forum on Flyertalk has a personality. A forum gains a personality through user input over time, and Lifemiles is a very definitive example of how users have developed a unique community.
While Flyertalk boards actively encourage sharing of info, the Lifemiles community has developed and thrived via obscuring of certain data elements. It may not be easy for new participants to break through the codes and gain knowledge of the program's quirks, but the overall board community has adopted this unique approach. And frankly, that is not going to change overnight.
If a FT member wants to participate on this board, then they will need to respect other users. Hence, posts that run counter to this community's standards, will be removed.
While Flyertalk boards actively encourage sharing of info, the Lifemiles community has developed and thrived via obscuring of certain data elements. It may not be easy for new participants to break through the codes and gain knowledge of the program's quirks, but the overall board community has adopted this unique approach. And frankly, that is not going to change overnight.
If a FT member wants to participate on this board, then they will need to respect other users. Hence, posts that run counter to this community's standards, will be removed.
C1 North America
C1.5 Caribbean, Bermuda
C2 Europe
C2.5 Middle East
C3 Asia
C4 South America
C5 Africa
C6 Oceania
2X, 3X: in the context of this LifeMiles thread, 2X and 3X refer to any 2nd and 3rd legs of a one-way award ticket.
LifeMiles' Star Alliance Award Chart
LifeMiles' old Star Alliance Award Chart (before Oct 15 2014) // Table of changes
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 easily-seen example is travel on Copa from LAX to SJU (via PTY).
Understand Cabotage: Departing country 1, transiting country 2, returning to country 1 (no stopping) *is* cabotage (example: depart JFK, connect in YYZ to return to ORD, or depart Miami, connect in Bogota, return to San Francisco). On the other hand, departing country 1, going to completely unrelated country 2, and ending up in country 3, is not cabotage. So if you fly JFK-JNB-ZRH, for instance, this is completely not cabotage.
Availability: Seeing availability for *A award seats elsewhere is no guarantee they are accessible on Lifemiles. For instance award space shown on ANA often is not accessible on Lifemiles. Similarly, finding award space on single legs doesn't mean you'll get award space on the combined itinerary. And no, there is no way to overcome that.
Screenshot Method
Send email to [email protected] with attached screenshots on Lifemiles website of each individual leg showing availability. Also, screenshot showing no availability as one booking. Include passenger names, gender and DOB and copy of passenger passport. They will either call you for payment or email the itinerary and give you 3 days to call up and make payment by CC.
NOTE: This previous thread has been closed; it can be read here LM F and J routes (and the occasional trick-it)
LM F and J routes (and the occasional trick-it) Rebooted v2.0
Nov 24, 2014, 2:48 am
#1366
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,210
Thanks, but not really helpful.
Our initial check in is with UA, and if I tell them we won't be flying the last segment, there is likely no way we'll get the bags short checked.
We'll be told if we want to fly any of the segments, we and our bags will need to be checked in on all of the segments open for check in, which will likely be all the way.
It seems I can ask to be offloaded at a transfer desk, at TK check in, or TK baggage claim. Since our bags will need to clear customs, I'm guessing somewhere in the transit area would be the best first place to ask.
Surely, I'm not the first person on a woodcutter who will need to retrieve a checked bag when I'm finished flying the segments I want to fly. I understand the risks I'm taking, and if anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Our initial check in is with UA, and if I tell them we won't be flying the last segment, there is likely no way we'll get the bags short checked.
We'll be told if we want to fly any of the segments, we and our bags will need to be checked in on all of the segments open for check in, which will likely be all the way.
It seems I can ask to be offloaded at a transfer desk, at TK check in, or TK baggage claim. Since our bags will need to clear customs, I'm guessing somewhere in the transit area would be the best first place to ask.
Surely, I'm not the first person on a woodcutter who will need to retrieve a checked bag when I'm finished flying the segments I want to fly. I understand the risks I'm taking, and if anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Nov 24, 2014, 4:16 am
#1367
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BTS
Posts: 611
Seriously? You're doing the thing people here explicitly say not to do, then you have the audacity to ask what's the "best way" to do it.
You know, not too far back there is/was a discussion why tricks die and several reasons were mentioned. At that point the discussion was quite civil so no one mentioned the real reason ...
The real reason is there are selfish people who are never satisfied with a great deal they already got and have the arrogance to think they're somehow special and no rules apply to them. They push and push despite knowing and being told the consequences. I mean, why should you be happy with a transatlantic business class for the price of US domestic, or business class on United when you can fly a better product even if it is cabbage?
So, for me, I hope the UA agents do what they should and tell you they can't change your tickets - you need to call AV for that. And bags regularly fly without passengers in Europe so I hope you get them back from Istanbul 3-4 days after you arrive and will be banging your head against the wall for not flying with just carry-on. It surely is nothing more than you deserve.
edit #1 - BTW, United agents have been explicitly told not to short-check bags on any 202 tickets and while that memo was specific to a different route, they'll definitely be aware of that policy...
You know, not too far back there is/was a discussion why tricks die and several reasons were mentioned. At that point the discussion was quite civil so no one mentioned the real reason ...
The real reason is there are selfish people who are never satisfied with a great deal they already got and have the arrogance to think they're somehow special and no rules apply to them. They push and push despite knowing and being told the consequences. I mean, why should you be happy with a transatlantic business class for the price of US domestic, or business class on United when you can fly a better product even if it is cabbage?
So, for me, I hope the UA agents do what they should and tell you they can't change your tickets - you need to call AV for that. And bags regularly fly without passengers in Europe so I hope you get them back from Istanbul 3-4 days after you arrive and will be banging your head against the wall for not flying with just carry-on. It surely is nothing more than you deserve.
edit #1 - BTW, United agents have been explicitly told not to short-check bags on any 202 tickets and while that memo was specific to a different route, they'll definitely be aware of that policy...
Last edited by scibuff; Nov 24, 2014 at 6:55 am
Nov 24, 2014, 9:26 am
#1372
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,125
If the connection is LON you have to collect your bags so no issue. If another connection point I suggest checking in on line with UA. It will only allow you to check-in for the UA flight. You will likely not get a boarding pass (as they need to check documents) and complete the process at the airport. At that point you can see what happens (they may tag to the connection point only) or ask. There is a significant likelihood that they will not short check so I suggest checking in early and having a back-up plan. E.g. you could book one person on a one-way award to the connection point at the regular rate so you can check 3 bags - or have someone drop you at the airport who can take a bag back home - leaving you with carry-ons only.
Nov 24, 2014, 2:32 pm
#1375
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,465
OK, so I have a schedule change on the chainsaw. The last segment now departs before the previous flight arrives. I was not intending to fly the last two segments. What will happen if I do nothing and just show up at AC check in? I don't think I will be allowed to fly the first part of the ticket (or will I?). What's the best course of action here?
Nov 24, 2014, 4:18 pm
#1376
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
OK, so I have a schedule change on the chainsaw. The last segment now departs before the previous flight arrives. I was not intending to fly the last two segments. What will happen if I do nothing and just show up at AC check in? I don't think I will be allowed to fly the first part of the ticket (or will I?). What's the best course of action here?
.
Nov 24, 2014, 4:38 pm
#1377
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: RNO
Posts: 375
Nov 24, 2014, 5:43 pm
#1378
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Executive Club Gold, Miles & Bonus Gold, Alaska Mileage Plan, Aeroplan, LifeMiles
Posts: 93
Nov 24, 2014, 7:30 pm
#1380
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Manaus, AM, Brasil
Programs: Smiles Gold, Amigo Gold, BW Diamond. Exp. MP Silver, HH Gold, IHG Plat., Choice Plat., Le Club Plat.
Posts: 29
