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
Apr 10, 2017, 4:05 am
#2612
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Valencia, Spain
Programs: Pascal and Python, no C++
Posts: 738
Apr 10, 2017, 4:43 pm
#2616
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 153
Manual email sent: 4/5
Initial reply and forward to booking: 4/6
Email about confirmed reservation pending payment: 4/10
Paid: 4/10
Ticketed: Pending
There was a weekend in there to complicate things, but still a painstakingly long process.
Apr 12, 2017, 1:06 pm
#2618
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 162
No mixed cabin with screenshot method!
LM is losing value RAPIDLY for me...
So, I am trying to get them to book a mixed cabin itinerary using the screenshot method. The flights are available. But they're just being very...LM. 
Mr. _____,
It is a pleasure to greet you.
Concerning your request, the mixed cabin option is only applicable when the system displays such itinerary online. We cannot modify or create such combination; reason why, we invite you to attempt the miles redemption procedure again on alternate routes and/or dates under our Use → Airlines section (LifeMiles number and password needed).
Additionally, remember that our agents in the Avianca's Call Center may assist you on the ticket redemption process (with an additional redemption fee). Keep in mind that they will require your Call Center PIN. You can access the phone numbers by clicking here.
We appreciate your valuable time.
It is a pleasure to greet you.
Concerning your request, the mixed cabin option is only applicable when the system displays such itinerary online. We cannot modify or create such combination; reason why, we invite you to attempt the miles redemption procedure again on alternate routes and/or dates under our Use → Airlines section (LifeMiles number and password needed).
Additionally, remember that our agents in the Avianca's Call Center may assist you on the ticket redemption process (with an additional redemption fee). Keep in mind that they will require your Call Center PIN. You can access the phone numbers by clicking here.
We appreciate your valuable time.
Apr 12, 2017, 2:22 pm
#2619
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,723
I didn't think they ever allowed mixed cabin screenshot booking?
Last edited by iluvdoco; Apr 12, 2017 at 3:00 pm
Apr 12, 2017, 3:42 pm
#2620
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
And by the way, this are no news, that you're pubblishing here...
Apr 12, 2017, 3:56 pm
#2621
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 162
Who said I was leaving? Anyhow, this is the first I've heard about no mixed cabin screenshots. I didn't even think to search on it because, well, it's a stupid policy.
Apr 13, 2017, 9:24 am
#2624
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Francisco & London
Programs: UA1k, Oneworld Sapphire, Hyatt Globalist, IHG DiamondAmb, Hilton Diamond, Marriott LTP,
Posts: 1,785
