Last edit by: italdesign
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)
- no availability showing at all on the website (try logging out and logging back in)
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.
You need to have 40% of the miles in your account for them to make the booking. On some occasions, credit card points do not transfer over immediately. In such cases also send screenshots of the points being debited from your credit card. In some cases the LM account will immediately show the points transferred in the account activity section. Send a screenshot of that as well.
After a day or two, you will get a reply via email saying the matter has been escalated to an internal area. The next day someone will call you from 305 447 2819 and will process the payment over the phone. You will need to set a PIN which you can do in your online LM account (under the account access section of your online profile).
Send to these two email addresses, and CC yourself (just for your records)
[email protected] (invalid as of July 2022)
[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 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)
- no availability showing at all on the website (try logging out and logging back in)
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.
You need to have 40% of the miles in your account for them to make the booking. On some occasions, credit card points do not transfer over immediately. In such cases also send screenshots of the points being debited from your credit card. In some cases the LM account will immediately show the points transferred in the account activity section. Send a screenshot of that as well.
After a day or two, you will get a reply via email saying the matter has been escalated to an internal area. The next day someone will call you from 305 447 2819 and will process the payment over the phone. You will need to set a PIN which you can do in your online LM account (under the account access section of your online profile).
Send to these two email addresses, and CC yourself (just for your records)
[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 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 (from January 2022 onwards)
#151
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,403
No… they can only book flights that appear on line.
#152
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 7
I've been trying to book a return trip from Colombia to USA in Copa Airlines, and everything looks fine. I'm even able to click in Details and see the flight details (CUC-PTY, PTY-LAX, LAX-SFO, first two trips in Copa Airlines and last one in United Airlines)
However, when I try to expand the details (down arrow next to the miles & price). I get the error message below:
Has anybody ever had the same issue? I have been trying for about a week to no avail.
However, when I try to expand the details (down arrow next to the miles & price). I get the error message below:
Has anybody ever had the same issue? I have been trying for about a week to no avail.
Last edited by Lauren Gadner; Apr 14, 2022 at 1:07 am Reason: Add more details
#153
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,403
If you can see it on line the call centre will also be able to see it and should be able to book it… or possibly tell you why it’s not possible.
#154
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 261
Finally back on the travel bandwagon after an over 2 year hiatus, LM was such a great option for international business.
It does appear however that it no longer has access to the same *Alliance award seats as other carriers.
I can see a TG Business seat on United, but nothing shows up on LM
It does appear however that it no longer has access to the same *Alliance award seats as other carriers.
I can see a TG Business seat on United, but nothing shows up on LM
#155
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Hong Kong SAR
Programs: OZ & BA Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott & Accor Plat
Posts: 295
Tips for Preventing Booking Error or doing Payment via Chat
Two important things if you encounter errors during booking:
1) Make sure you have your emergency contact filled out on your Lifemiles profile to prevent the booking error - this helps as someone else posted in the pre-2022 thread
2) I just tried a booking and unfortunately still got an error and a Booking Reference but via their chat managed to pay (in Colombian Pesos via credit card) by payment link without needing to contact their dreaded call center with one english-speaking agent doing payment otherwise. Got eTicket a few hours later!
1) Make sure you have your emergency contact filled out on your Lifemiles profile to prevent the booking error - this helps as someone else posted in the pre-2022 thread
2) I just tried a booking and unfortunately still got an error and a Booking Reference but via their chat managed to pay (in Colombian Pesos via credit card) by payment link without needing to contact their dreaded call center with one english-speaking agent doing payment otherwise. Got eTicket a few hours later!
#157
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 163
I think what seats were available were snatched up early, and those that weren’t were zeroed out assuming demand is going to continue building, which I think it will, especially for Asia.
#158
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 7
I've been trying to book a return trip from Colombia to USA in Copa Airlines, and everything looks fine. I'm even able to click in Details and see the flight details (CUC-PTY, PTY-LAX, LAX-SFO, first two trips in Copa Airlines and last one in United Airlines)
However, when I try to expand the details (down arrow next to the miles & price). I get the error message below:
Has anybody ever had the same issue? I have been trying for about a week to no avail.
However, when I try to expand the details (down arrow next to the miles & price). I get the error message below:
Has anybody ever had the same issue? I have been trying for about a week to no avail.
#160
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Canton, SD
Posts: 109
Hello, trying to book routes I see on United's website for Swiss Air (LAX-ZRH), routes that I have booked using lifemiles before, and getting no availability on everything. The only availability I am able to find is Avianca direct flights from LAX - Central and South America, everything else using star alliance shows no availability. Is anyone else having this issue?
#161
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,393
Hello, trying to book routes I see on United's website for Swiss Air (LAX-ZRH), routes that I have booked using lifemiles before, and getting no availability on everything. The only availability I am able to find is Avianca direct flights from LAX - Central and South America, everything else using star alliance shows no availability. Is anyone else having this issue?
What dates are you seeing the issue?
#162
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Alpharetta, GA, USA
Posts: 948
Hello, trying to book routes I see on United's website for Swiss Air (LAX-ZRH), routes that I have booked using lifemiles before, and getting no availability on everything. The only availability I am able to find is Avianca direct flights from LAX - Central and South America, everything else using star alliance shows no availability. Is anyone else having this issue?
#163
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Southern Cal
Programs: UA, AA, Delta, Marriott
Posts: 113
Is Lifemiles worth it? Does Avianca have good Business Class service and comfort? I have been working so hard to find Business Class tickets to Rio without success, but today found that if I fly into Sao Paolo I can get Business Class, but I could not get that on a return from Rio. So if go for it, will it be worth the trouble?
#165
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,403
Is Lifemiles worth it? Does Avianca have good Business Class service and comfort? I have been working so hard to find Business Class tickets to Rio without success, but today found that if I fly into Sao Paolo I can get Business Class, but I could not get that on a return from Rio. So if go for it, will it be worth the trouble?
I would not recommend transferring miles, accruing miles or buying miles in LM unless you were fully confident in how the programme works and its [many] limitations.
Last edited by LHR/MEL/Europe FF; May 1, 2022 at 5:41 am Reason: fixin gramer an spelin