Topic Wiki

Lifemiles Basics

Buying miles:

Lifemiles runs frequent promotions for buying miles, usually for 1.5 cents per mile. Given that Lifemiles has one of the most reasonable Star Alliance award charts, linked here, and doesn't charge fuel surcharges for any partners, buying miles can make a lot of sense.

The promos are usually run in one of two ways.

1. A straight up buy miles promo at 1.5cpm. In all previous buy miles promos, you needed to have an account before the promo starts in order to buy miles. Buying miles though the promo is limited to 75k per year. Be sure to use a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees.

2. A share miles promo. You can share miles from one account to another with a 100% bonus on each transaction. The cost is again 1.5cpm. Although in the past you needed to have a Lifemiles account in order to take advantage of the promo, the current promo (7/3-13) does not require a previously open account to participate. In order to maximize the promo on accounts not previously open, open 2 accounts, buy 1k miles at 3cpm, then share back and forth between both account at 1.5cpm. You can share back and forth between 2 accounts an unlimited amount of times provided you stay under the 75k cap. Doing this will most likely trigger a fraud alert with your CC, so it may be a good idea to call them beforehand and give them a heads up.

Lifemiles will also allow you to buy up to 60% of the miles required for booking a flight. The cost starts at 3cpm but is nonlinear. There are sweet spots that allows you to buy a large quantity of miles for 1.5cpm, usually in the 25-35k range. The 1.5cpm sweetspot varies depending on the amount required for the award. Full CPM spreadsheet linked here. (HT: Some dude on FT.)

Lifemiles is known to devalue without warning so hoarding miles is not advised. Buying miles at booking allows to hedge against sudden devaluations.

There is also a Lifemiles credit card  that occasionally offers a 40k bonus. Linked here.

Redeeming Lifemiles:
You can only redeem flights which are shown online. The Lifemiles call center has a horrible reputation and is usually useless. Emailing them usually yields better results if you can wait a day or two.

Lifemiles does not allow mixed cabin redemptions. If you want to book a first class flight with connections, you will need to book all legs in first class or book separate tickets.

Lifemiles is known to have better access to Miles & More and Singapore premium cabins than the rest of Star Alliance.

Lifemiles does not charge any fuel surcharges.

Lifemiles does not allow stopovers or open jaws on awards.

The max layover time that the booking engine will usually show is 8 hours, although people have had success forcing much longer layover times.

Lifemiles does not issue any lap infant award tickets.

Lifemiles cannot book any Austrian flights operated by Tyrolean Airways.

You can access partner confirmation numbers and eticket numbers with your Lifemiles PNR at checkmytrip.com

Lifemiles will occasionally show boomerang routings, which are routings that go from A-B, via C.  ;)

There are many mispriced cities and quirks in the Lifemiles booking engine, allowing for really cheap international awards.  ;)

Canceling a Lifemiles award: (HT, FT)

Lifemiles charges $150 to change an award and $50 to cancel.

Canceling:

1. This will take 20-30 minutes and costs $50
2. You have to pay the $50 up front and will need to have your credit card handy
3. You will need a PIN number for the call center. You set up the PIN online by changing your "information and preferences". Note that this has 3 pages but you only need to change the "Manage the Basics" page and hit "Save". The progress-bar at the top never seems to reach 100% but it doesn't matter. There are two places to press "Save and continue" when you give the PIN. The top button doesn't work. You have to click on the one on the bottom of the screen
4. Call the USA reservations number preferably during business hours +1 800 284 2622
5. Key 2 for English (or 1 for Spanish), 3 for Lifemiles/Corporate, then 1 for Lifemiles
6. If you have got a noisy phone line, hang up and go back to step 4. It is possible to get a good line even from overseas.
7. With luck, someone coherent will answer. If not, don't waste your time, HUCA
8. Give them the PNR to be cancelled
9. You will be asked "do you have a PIN". say yes. You will be put on hold
10. You will be connected to an automated system to key in your PIN. Don't press # afterwards.
11. You will be asked to pay the $50 via an automated system. You'll be asked for your CC number, then you must repeat it. Don't press # afterwards. Then the expiry month, then year, then the id number. Be ready to rattle through the keys as any hesitation causes the system to think you've finished. So, typically you will need 2-3 attempts. [The operator listens in on the automated process and helps you along if you don’t key in the right numbers]
13. You will be put on hold for 5-10 minutes while the card is checked. It may fail the first time, for no reason. Go back to step 12.
14. Once the CC is confirmed the operator will ask you for the full billing address, then your name as it appears on the card, then the name of the bank which issued the card.
15. You will be put on hold for 5-10 minutes
16. The operator will confirm the cancellation, or rather confirm it will be put in the queue for manual cancellation.
17. After 24 hours or so, you should receive an E Mail receipt for the $50 (could be in Spanish)
18. Miles will be refunded within 2-3 days, as if you had paid using the maximum miles with no cash to refund all the cash and the miles to what you had before making the booking. The miles sometimes reappear immediately. [Most often, the miles are available within 24 hours.]
19. The taxes - fairly modest - will be refunded in full since you already paid the cancellation fee up front. The refund should hit the CC within a week or so. No refund for the $25 booking fee.
20. The refund will be refunded to the original card.



« Last edited by username on March 11, 2019, 02:37:39 PM »

Author Topic: Lifemiles Master Thread  (Read 130228 times)

Offline Moshe90

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 229
  • Total likes: 5
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #80 on: January 27, 2019, 12:31:27 PM »
HUCA
tried 5 times , all with same answer, since the agents are writing notes...

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67599
  • Total likes: 16912
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #81 on: January 27, 2019, 12:38:00 PM »
DoT complaint.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Online shapsam

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2017
  • Posts: 3017
  • Total likes: 637
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #82 on: January 27, 2019, 01:16:37 PM »
tried 5 times , all with same answer, since the agents are writing notes...
Didn't try to speak to a manager/supervisor?

You can do a DoT complaint like Dan said, but that can take several months to resolve.

Offline Moshe90

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 229
  • Total likes: 5
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #83 on: January 27, 2019, 01:49:09 PM »
Called Supervisor, he asked me to call again LH, and to ask them to just put back this part that's missing without issuing,  then the supervisor  issued it, now everything ok, tnx guys for your help and idea's

Online shapsam

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2017
  • Posts: 3017
  • Total likes: 637
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #84 on: January 27, 2019, 01:54:21 PM »
Called Supervisor, he asked me to call again LH, and to ask them to just put back this part that's missing without issuing,  then the supervisor  issued it, now everything ok, tnx guys for your help and idea's
Nice!

Offline ExGingi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2015
  • Posts: 15620
  • Total likes: 7712
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 19
    • View Profile
  • Location: 770
  • Programs: בשורת הגאולה. From Exile to Redemption. GIYF. AAdvantage Executive Platinum®
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #85 on: January 29, 2019, 09:37:29 PM »
After I sent the email with my requested routing, I thought of some other HCs that might work better, but since it's a lengthy process and availability might go away, I just decided to take what I have.
When booking a Lifemiles award via email, it's impossible to check-in online on TK.

Arrived at JFK 50 minutes before departure, initially was told that flight is closed, but when I said I'm in J they let me check in (and then escorted me through security). I told them to check my bags only until TLV, check-in agent refused, but supervisor made it happen after some effort.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline davidrotts63

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2017
  • Posts: 7218
  • Total likes: 978
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 26
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hertz Gold, Hyatt Member, BA Blue, Ebay banned, Amazon Prime
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #86 on: January 30, 2019, 02:58:57 AM »
When booking a Lifemiles award via email, it's impossible to check-in online on TK.

Arrived at JFK 50 minutes before departure, initially was told that flight is closed, but when I said I'm in J they let me check in (and then escorted me through security). I told them to check my bags only until TLV, check-in agent refused, but supervisor made it happen after some effort.
What was your original plan? Why did you assume they'd check just to TLV
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline ExGingi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2015
  • Posts: 15620
  • Total likes: 7712
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 19
    • View Profile
  • Location: 770
  • Programs: בשורת הגאולה. From Exile to Redemption. GIYF. AAdvantage Executive Platinum®
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #87 on: January 30, 2019, 04:36:10 AM »
What was your original plan? Why did you assume they'd check just to TLV
Why not? Rather long layover. Enough time to exit the airport and return. Upon exiting aircraft in TLV there was a person holding a sign with my name. When I inquired what that is about, he said that since I am in transit he will escort me. I told him I plan to exit the airport. He radioed someone and got an OK to let me proceed.

In any event my luggage didn't make it with me.
« Last Edit: January 30, 2019, 04:47:47 AM by ExGingi »
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline sillypainter

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 2068
  • Total likes: 200
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #88 on: February 04, 2019, 11:29:42 PM »
For those that waited for lifemiles to come back to life. It's back BEFORE the official February 5 date.

Offline yoelkon

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: Jan 2016
  • Posts: 90
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #89 on: February 05, 2019, 01:26:04 AM »
Does life miles allow cancellation within 24 hours of booking for no fee? Or does the cancellation policy go into effect immidiatly

Offline ExGingi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2015
  • Posts: 15620
  • Total likes: 7712
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 19
    • View Profile
  • Location: 770
  • Programs: בשורת הגאולה. From Exile to Redemption. GIYF. AAdvantage Executive Platinum®
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #90 on: February 05, 2019, 03:13:52 AM »
Does life miles allow cancellation within 24 hours of booking for no fee? Or does the cancellation policy go into effect immidiatly
AFAIK there's no 24 hour free cancelation policy, and even there was, I wouldn't count on it.

Though I once had to cancel a ticket and rebook into something else, and was charged less than the published rate. I am guessing that it might have been because the first leg was domestic rather than international.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline Mayerw

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Nov 2018
  • Posts: 14
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Southfield MI
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #91 on: February 05, 2019, 09:32:16 AM »
when booking a mixed cabin award using LM , first leg (tlv-fra) in economy and 2nd leg (fra-nyc)in biz or 1st. Does the bag allowance goes after the 2nd leg?

Offline yoelkon

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: Jan 2016
  • Posts: 90
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #92 on: February 05, 2019, 09:16:19 PM »
I called earlier and was able to cancel a booking I made last night with no charges

AFAIK there's no 24 hour free cancelation policy, and even there was, I wouldn't count on it.

Though I once had to cancel a ticket and rebook into something else, and was charged less than the published rate. I am guessing that it might have been because the first leg was domestic rather than international.

Online shapsam

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2017
  • Posts: 3017
  • Total likes: 637
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #93 on: February 05, 2019, 11:28:52 PM »
I called earlier and was able to cancel a booking I made last night with no charges
Flight was more than 7 days out?

Offline yoelkon

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: Jan 2016
  • Posts: 90
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #94 on: February 05, 2019, 11:31:03 PM »

Online shapsam

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2017
  • Posts: 3017
  • Total likes: 637
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #95 on: February 05, 2019, 11:35:50 PM »
Yes
Anyone have a DP for a flight within 7 days?

Offline Jkhein

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Oct 2010
  • Posts: 4586
  • Total likes: 17
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #96 on: February 09, 2019, 11:51:56 PM »
is the website still down? not letting me search for flights

Offline ludmila

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Aug 2012
  • Posts: 5147
  • Total likes: 271
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: IND
  • Programs: Hilton Diamond,Marriott Platinum,SPG Platinum.
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #97 on: February 10, 2019, 01:36:35 AM »
is the website still down? not letting me search for flights
It has been working on and off.
I was the Best,still the Best, and will always be the Best.
Pele Good,Maradona Better, George Best.

Offline sky121

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 11513
  • Total likes: 168
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
    • View Profile
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #98 on: March 04, 2019, 10:36:51 PM »
If I see LH availability on United but it's not showing up using Lifemiles- any chance they will find availability if I call?
Not a lot of experience with LM
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline ExGingi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2015
  • Posts: 15620
  • Total likes: 7712
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 19
    • View Profile
  • Location: 770
  • Programs: בשורת הגאולה. From Exile to Redemption. GIYF. AAdvantage Executive Platinum®
Re: Lifemiles Master Thread
« Reply #99 on: March 04, 2019, 11:27:35 PM »
If I see LH availability on United but it's not showing up using Lifemiles- any chance they will find availability if I call?
Not a lot of experience with LM
Individual segments or connection?

If individual segments show up but not connection, you can request booking by sending screenshots and a copy of your passport via email.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan