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
Jan 23, 2018, 7:37 am
#2806
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH G,Hyatt E,*A Gold, OW Emerald.
Posts: 3,023
Here's my first contribution... not amazing, but hopefully it's still giving back to a forum that's really helped over the years.
You can still save at least 20.6% miles from North America to Europe in a new and comfortable business class, but only 42.857% of the time.
You can still save at least 20.6% miles from North America to Europe in a new and comfortable business class, but only 42.857% of the time.
Jan 23, 2018, 7:52 am
#2807
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH G,Hyatt E,*A Gold, OW Emerald.
Posts: 3,023
On another interesting note, the old engine shows up around midnight US eastern timezone, once a week (on random days) during maintenance in Colombia. Time it well, and you can reap some old benefits.
Last edited by Tokyoite; Jan 23, 2018 at 8:04 am
Jan 24, 2018, 3:57 am
#2808
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,210
Trying to book DEL-FRA-MCO on LH for the normal set of miles but the flights don't show up which are available as I have checked via other sources. When I click on LH as the airline it says this route is not supported by the airline.
Any suggestions? I can't screen shot as even though the FRA-MCO is open the website won't show it.
Any suggestions? I can't screen shot as even though the FRA-MCO is open the website won't show it.
Jan 26, 2018, 4:16 am
#2809
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH G,Hyatt E,*A Gold, OW Emerald.
Posts: 3,023
Trying to book DEL-FRA-MCO on LH for the normal set of miles but the flights don't show up which are available as I have checked via other sources. When I click on LH as the airline it says this route is not supported by the airline.
Any suggestions? I can't screen shot as even though the FRA-MCO is open the website won't show it.
Any suggestions? I can't screen shot as even though the FRA-MCO is open the website won't show it.
chose “star alliance “ from the drop down menu.
Screenshots will be required.
[KVS Tool 8.7.7/Diamond - Awards/AC-StarAlliance/CA-Auto]
Code:
DEL Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl IN [VIDP] MCO Orlando Intl FL US [KMCO] MON 29 Jan 2018 1 Seat Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Award Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------------ LH 761 DEL 03:35 FRA 07:35 388 0 FS+ CS+ YS+ -> LH 464 FRA 13:40 MCO 17:50 744 0 CS+ YS+
Jan 27, 2018, 4:47 am
#2810
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,210
This itinerary leaving this Monday can be found on the LM site if you search each leg separately.
chose “star alliance “ from the drop down menu.
Screenshots will be required.
[KVS Tool 8.7.7/Diamond - Awards/AC-StarAlliance/CA-Auto]
Code:
DEL Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl IN [VIDP] MCO Orlando Intl FL US [KMCO] MON 29 Jan 2018 1 Seat Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Award Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------------ LH 761 DEL 03:35 FRA 07:35 388 0 FS+ CS+ YS+ -> LH 464 FRA 13:40 MCO 17:50 744 0 CS+ YS+
Jan 31, 2018, 8:52 pm
#2816
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH G,Hyatt E,*A Gold, OW Emerald.
Posts: 3,023
the old engine is up now. F at C class rates. Its midnight in Colombia. Cash in your miles while you can!
Jan 31, 2018, 10:29 pm
#2817
formerly 1984SW
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,058
Feb 1, 2018, 1:44 am
#2818
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH G,Hyatt E,*A Gold, OW Emerald.
Posts: 3,023
Finally died at around 2am US Eastern time. The usual "bugs/sweetspots" in the old engine were still very much alive.
The great thing about this all is that it is clear that the old engine hasnt been taken down, and will be activated during maintenance to the new engine.
(Once a week, 11pm US eastern time, date is random as of now)
Two tickets I tried to book ended in errors after payment, and I am sitting with PNRs but no tickets.
I am pondering on whether to call in with the PNRs to ticket (someone ticketing might notice the unusually low mileage for the cabin/route).
Any advice?
The great thing about this all is that it is clear that the old engine hasnt been taken down, and will be activated during maintenance to the new engine.
(Once a week, 11pm US eastern time, date is random as of now)
Two tickets I tried to book ended in errors after payment, and I am sitting with PNRs but no tickets.
I am pondering on whether to call in with the PNRs to ticket (someone ticketing might notice the unusually low mileage for the cabin/route).
Any advice?
Feb 1, 2018, 5:20 am
#2819
Join Date: May 2015
Programs: SQ*G, A3*G
Posts: 30
Finally died at around 2am US Eastern time. The usual "bugs/sweetspots" in the old engine were still very much alive.
The great thing about this all is that it is clear that the old engine hasnt been taken down, and will be activated during maintenance to the new engine.
(Once a week, 11pm US eastern time, date is random as of now)
Two tickets I tried to book ended in errors after payment, and I am sitting with PNRs but no tickets.
I am pondering on whether to call in with the PNRs to ticket (someone ticketing might notice the unusually low mileage for the cabin/route).
Any advice?
The great thing about this all is that it is clear that the old engine hasnt been taken down, and will be activated during maintenance to the new engine.
(Once a week, 11pm US eastern time, date is random as of now)
Two tickets I tried to book ended in errors after payment, and I am sitting with PNRs but no tickets.
I am pondering on whether to call in with the PNRs to ticket (someone ticketing might notice the unusually low mileage for the cabin/route).
Any advice?
Maybe they're already monitoring this forum? After all, you're indeed generous with all your sage advice and suggestions.
Loose lips sink ships.
Feb 2, 2018, 1:13 pm
#2820
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: NH, JL, SQ
Posts: 164
Finally died at around 2am US Eastern time. The usual "bugs/sweetspots" in the old engine were still very much alive.
The great thing about this all is that it is clear that the old engine hasnt been taken down, and will be activated during maintenance to the new engine.
(Once a week, 11pm US eastern time, date is random as of now)
Two tickets I tried to book ended in errors after payment, and I am sitting with PNRs but no tickets.
I am pondering on whether to call in with the PNRs to ticket (someone ticketing might notice the unusually low mileage for the cabin/route).
Any advice?
The great thing about this all is that it is clear that the old engine hasnt been taken down, and will be activated during maintenance to the new engine.
(Once a week, 11pm US eastern time, date is random as of now)
Two tickets I tried to book ended in errors after payment, and I am sitting with PNRs but no tickets.
I am pondering on whether to call in with the PNRs to ticket (someone ticketing might notice the unusually low mileage for the cabin/route).
Any advice?