Error 2.1
Mar 7, 2025 | 12:13 am
#17
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,068
Mar 7, 2025 | 4:50 am
#18
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 312
Jun 1, 2025 | 8:52 pm
#21
Join Date: Jun 2025
Posts: 1
hey OP! What ended up happening? Same thing happened to me. Saw availability for the flights I want on both Avianca and also United. I transferred points over to and then got screwed over with the 2.1 error. I called customer service and they said they didnt see anything open, so now Im stuck with points in my account as well
I purchased LifeMiles after confirming award seat availability through Thai Airways, United Airlines, and LifeMiles system. However, when I tried to redeem the miles, I encountered Error 2.1 repeatedly, even after trying different routes and dates.
Now, I have over 200,000 miles in my account but cannot use them for anything.
Key issues:
1. Seat availability was confirmed before purchase.
2. Attempts to redeem miles failed consistently with Error 2.1.
3. I tried alternate flights and dates, but the issue persisted.
4. Despite the unusable miles, customer service refused a refund, leaving me with over 200,000 miles I cannot use.
What should I do in this situation? Has anyone faced a similar issue and found a solution?
Thank you in advance for your advice!
Now, I have over 200,000 miles in my account but cannot use them for anything.
Key issues:
1. Seat availability was confirmed before purchase.
2. Attempts to redeem miles failed consistently with Error 2.1.
3. I tried alternate flights and dates, but the issue persisted.
4. Despite the unusable miles, customer service refused a refund, leaving me with over 200,000 miles I cannot use.
What should I do in this situation? Has anyone faced a similar issue and found a solution?
Thank you in advance for your advice!
Jun 1, 2025 | 8:55 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 31
hey OP! What ended up happening? Same thing happened to me. Saw availability for the flights I want on both Avianca and also United. I transferred points over to and then got screwed over with the 2.1 error. I called customer service and they said they didnt see anything open, so now Im stuck with points in my account as well
do you mind if I ask what routing you're trying to book? I'm trying to book TG from TPE -> BKK -> CDG, with the BKK -> CDG segment in J, but none of the agents can see the second leg in J, only Y
Jun 7, 2025 | 9:03 am
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2025
Posts: 8
hey OP! What ended up happening? Same thing happened to me. Saw availability for the flights I want on both Avianca and also United. I transferred points over to and then got screwed over with the 2.1 error. I called customer service and they said they didnt see anything open, so now Im stuck with points in my account as well
Jun 9, 2025 | 1:59 am
#24
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 8,856
Sadly, this 2.1 error has been around for years, but it has gotten progressively worse, agreed.
Unfortunately that means LM redemtions have become a bit of a gamble these days in my view which is why I'm not topping up the measley ~6k mls I have any longer.
For anyone who did their homework and checked availability via other programs/ tools as well as via LM, but still is stuck, my only recommendation is persistence (as silly as that may sound) combined with a high degree of flexibility with regards to carriers, routes and dates.
I know first hand how frustrating it can be, it took me over a year to finally be able to redeem my last 156k mls for two one-way SE Asia - Europe // Europe - SE Asia Biz itineraries when the "stars aligned" and availability and bookability finally worked.
Whoever thinks they'll be able to get LM to give them their money back has a serious uphill battle on their hands and I'd reckon chances of getting a Columbian company to return funds they collected are super slim and routes like CC charge backs or so will stand on "thin ice" as LM never promised what can be redeemed with those miles.
Better (IMHO) to invest that time into finding something actually bookable that helps recover money spend on the miles. Usually (as pogonation noted in the TG bookings via LM thread), if the flights show via Smart Search (yes, the moniker is debateable, but that's not the point) then the chances of the flights being actually bookable increases. If they come up only via carrier search, the chances of them being actually bookable can vary greatly and often may not work. I share the same experience. YMMV.
Unfortunately that means LM redemtions have become a bit of a gamble these days in my view which is why I'm not topping up the measley ~6k mls I have any longer.
For anyone who did their homework and checked availability via other programs/ tools as well as via LM, but still is stuck, my only recommendation is persistence (as silly as that may sound) combined with a high degree of flexibility with regards to carriers, routes and dates.
I know first hand how frustrating it can be, it took me over a year to finally be able to redeem my last 156k mls for two one-way SE Asia - Europe // Europe - SE Asia Biz itineraries when the "stars aligned" and availability and bookability finally worked.
Whoever thinks they'll be able to get LM to give them their money back has a serious uphill battle on their hands and I'd reckon chances of getting a Columbian company to return funds they collected are super slim and routes like CC charge backs or so will stand on "thin ice" as LM never promised what can be redeemed with those miles.
Better (IMHO) to invest that time into finding something actually bookable that helps recover money spend on the miles. Usually (as pogonation noted in the TG bookings via LM thread), if the flights show via Smart Search (yes, the moniker is debateable, but that's not the point) then the chances of the flights being actually bookable increases. If they come up only via carrier search, the chances of them being actually bookable can vary greatly and often may not work. I share the same experience. YMMV.
Last edited by demue; Jun 9, 2025 at 2:13 am
Dec 30, 2025 | 1:51 pm
#25
Join Date: Dec 2025
Posts: 1
Hi! It has been almost a year since your post, and I am wondering if your issue was resolved? It's my first time transferring points to Lifemiles. I just transferred a huge chunk of my bank points to Lifemiles this morning, checked for availability in both Lifemiles and airlines before proceeding with the transfer. I am getting the same error message. I am afraid it seems like a scam? Customer service has not helped, telling me to check again every 2 hrs. I checked the internet and seems like Lifemiles has a bad reputation. I should have known better, but Lifemiles is a transfer partner of major banks and is even in travel points website like Roame.com. so I did not think I would encounter this. Were they able to resolve your issue?
Dec 31, 2025 | 2:32 pm
#26
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: USA
Programs: DL PM - IC RA - HHonors Gold - Hertz Gold - AA - US - CO - Choice Privileges
Posts: 2,086
Hi! It has been almost a year since your post, and I am wondering if your issue was resolved? It's my first time transferring points to Lifemiles. I just transferred a huge chunk of my bank points to Lifemiles this morning, checked for availability in both Lifemiles and airlines before proceeding with the transfer. I am getting the same error message. I am afraid it seems like a scam? Customer service has not helped, telling me to check again every 2 hrs. I checked the internet and seems like Lifemiles has a bad reputation. I should have known better, but Lifemiles is a transfer partner of major banks and is even in travel points website like Roame.com. so I did not think I would encounter this. Were they able to resolve your issue?
Jan 11, 2026 | 1:16 am
#27
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: FLYINGBLUE Platinum
Posts: 440
Yes you have been robbed by Lifemiles/Avianca as many others including me aha.