Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

A very simple one:
Sydney - Bangkok -Sydney. Going this weekend, coming back nex weekend
1 PAX, in F, 120K + 134 USD.
Got an email confirmation straight away but can't see the ticket number on checkmytrip yet -

Better call TG to make sure it was ticketed. My +1 arrived to the airport once 2 hours before boarding and was told her booking is there but was not ticketed so can't check in. Needless to say it was very unpleasant situation, lucky a quick call to TG in BKK managed to sort everything out just on time but since then we always make sure to double-check all our LM bookings.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Better call TG to make sure it was ticketed. My +1 arrived to the airport once 2 hours before boarding and was told her booking is there but was not ticketed so can't check in. Needless to say it was very unpleasant situation, lucky a quick call to TG in BKK managed to sort everything out just on time but since then we always make sure to double-check all our LM bookings.

Did you have ticket number? If you have ticket number then it should be ticketed. Or did you have the ticket number already and TG stuffed it up?

Generally it takes a few hours before LM will issue the ticket. So I wouldn't worry in the first 24 hours.

 

[sergeyvzn]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Better call TG to make sure it was ticketed. My +1 arrived to the airport once 2 hours before boarding and was told her booking is there but was not ticketed so can't check in. Needless to say it was very unpleasant situation, lucky a quick call to TG in BKK managed to sort everything out just on time but since then we always make sure to double-check all our LM bookings.

It got ticketed 4 hours later. Lobster Thermidor it is -

 

[boomy]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Did you have ticket number? If you have ticket number then it should be ticketed. Or did you have the ticket number already and TG stuffed it up?

Generally it takes a few hours before LM will issue the ticket. So I wouldn't worry in the first 24 hours.

There was a confirmation and e-ticket as always. We made dozens of bookings with LM between myself, the missus and our parents and everything always went well except that one time but it only takes one mistake to almost completely stuff-up a multi-connections trip.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

There was a confirmation and e-ticket as always. We made dozens of bookings with LM between myself, the missus and our parents and everything always went well except that one time but it only takes one mistake to almost completely stuff-up a multi-connections trip.

As with all award bookings, I always recommend a call to the operating airline to specifically ask 'do you have a ticket number against this booking?', or a check via another direct link to the operating airline's system.

LM shouldn't be any different to USDM in that respect.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

As with all award bookings, I always recommend a call to the operating airline to specifically ask 'do you have a ticket number against this booking?', or a check via another direct link to the operating airline's system.

LM shouldn't be any different to USDM in that respect.

I must admit I never asked. Although I always check on the operating airline's "manage my booking". So if there is a e-ticket number showing on TG's site, is that good enough? Or should I still call?

 

[boomy]

Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

As with all award bookings, I always recommend a call to the operating airline to specifically ask 'do you have a ticket number against this booking?', or a check via another direct link to the operating airline's system.

LM shouldn't be any different to USDM in that respect.

That's true but personally I trust some airlines more then others. For example I never felt the need to double-check QF award bookings (with partner airlines) but I do feel the need to do that with LM or AA.

 

[anat0l]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

That's true but personally I trust some airlines more then others. For example I never felt the need to double-check QF award bookings (with partner airlines) but I do feel the need to do that with LM or AA.

Luckily the rules of QFF awards mean that their itineraries can almost never become too complex.

On top of that, if things go to custard, notwithstanding any inconveniences, it is, on balance, a bit easier to pin QF to the wall and get them to help you out of a sticky situation.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

That's true but personally I trust some airlines more then others. For example I never felt the need to double-check QF award bookings (with partner airlines) but I do feel the need to do that with LM or AA.

agree... but then again with QF it doesn't really matter... we have the protections of Australian consumer law. So if QF or VA failed to push a ticket number through, they'd probably have to sort it out anyway. If dealing with overseas companies, what can we do? not like we can easily sue them to fix it.

Even within star, I'd never considered TG much of an issue... CA and SQ are the ones to watch out for (as partner awards that is). Both of them will happily cancel if not ticketed in time.

 

[kpc]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Anyone know whether you can change the pax name on a booking (for a fee) on OZ booked with Lifemiles? or is it a case of cancelling, hoping the seat goes back into award inventory, and then booking again? Thanks

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Anyone know whether you can change the pax name on a booking (for a fee) on OZ booked with Lifemiles? or is it a case of cancelling, hoping the seat goes back into award inventory, and then booking again? Thanks

names can't be changed. You'll need to cancel.

Terms and conditions: https://www.lifemiles.com/eng/abo/wnb/wnbtercond.aspx

Redeeming Mileage-> In award tickets obtained by redeeming Miles the change of name is not permitted.

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Anyone know whether you can change the pax name on a booking (for a fee) on OZ booked with Lifemiles? or is it a case of cancelling, hoping the seat goes back into award inventory, and then booking again? Thanks

I believe it is the same rule for every airlines that no change of name is allowed. So unfortunately you need to cancel.

However, if it is just a matter of minor mistakes (eg spelling, or got first and last name mixed up), it's up to the operating airline whether they will let you on or not.

 

[boomy]

Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

Anyone know whether you can change the pax name on a booking (for a fee) on OZ booked with Lifemiles? or is it a case of cancelling, hoping the seat goes back into award inventory, and then booking again? Thanks

Unfortunately it can't be done. I've tried to change just one wrong letter on ET flight booked online via LM. Called ET which directed me to call LM, then called LM and after waiting almost 40 minutes for them to check how to do it the final answer was I must cancel and rebook. They did offer to do everything over the phone to ensure I'll get my seat back after cancelling (cost $US50).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Unfortunately it can't be done. I've tried to change just one wrong letter on ET flight booked online via LM. Called ET which directed me to call LM, then called LM and after waiting almost 40 minutes for them to check how to do it the final answer was I must cancel and rebook. They did offer to do everything over the phone to ensure I'll get my seat back after cancelling (cost $US50).

How critical was the one letter? Usually the allowance is up to three letters can be incorrect and the passenger is allowed to fly. Obviously if the one letter completely changes the name or gender it might be an issue.

 

[anat0l]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

How critical was the one letter? Usually the allowance is up to three letters can be incorrect and the passenger is allowed to fly. Obviously if the one letter completely changes the name or gender it might be an issue.

Well, I guess there is a difference between Fred and Freda. At least according to my friend who was having an "I Love..." tattoo done on him, then the artist said he ran out of ink.

More seriously, where does the guidance about a few letters wrong come from? Say the TSA (or any other border or security control) has to check your identity against your name on a boarding pass or printed copy of ticket, can they be relied upon to let you through on a minor error?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

IIRC it was an IATA rule... not sure if it's still in existence in its same form... but I understand it still applies. happy to be corrected on that one.

As as for the TSA, their website FAQ acknowledges boarding passes may print slightly differently to the name in the booking, and that secure flight checks are completed before a boarding pass is issued. I believe secure flight checking is pulled directly from your passport (or other government ID) anyway... not what you might list in your booking.

 

[boomy]

Avianca "Life Miles" - Questions and Discussion

How critical was the one letter? Usually the allowance is up to three letters can be incorrect and the passenger is allowed to fly. Obviously if the one letter completely changes the name or gender it might be an issue.

It was simple typo of letter i instead of e, no big deal therefore decided not to pay the $US100 fee (for two pax) and leave the booking as it is, despite the agent insisting that names on the ticket must be 100% match to the passport.

 

[RB]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

It was simple typo of letter i instead of e, no big deal therefore decided not to pay the $US100 fee (for two pax) and leave the booking as it is, despite the agent insisting that names on the ticket must be 100% match to the passport.

Interesting that the agent would insist that. eg Jo-Anne on passport seems to never appear as that on booking or boarding pass & most airline systems will not let you enter it correctly

 

[VAG newbie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

Interesting that the agent would insist that. eg Jo-Anne on passport seems to never appear as that on booking or boarding pass & most airline systems will not let you enter it correctly

You can't put hyphen, only alphabets. So Joanne or Jo-Anne will be the same.

At the same time, all airline cares is first name and last name. They don't care about middle name. So I usually don't put middle name. It's not even compulsory for LM booking.

Speaking of canceling. Last time when I canceled my LM booking, even though I got all my miles and tax refunded, I could still see my booking on CMT as fully ticketed and confirmed. I double checked on airlines website (it involved AC and NH) and both airlines still had my booking and e-ticket. I told LM several times about it, but they just sent me a generic reply the miles was refunded and it was canceled. The seat was never returned to the award inventory until the last day and I think I was simply considered as no show. So be careful, I don't know how LM works, even when you "cancel" the ticket, LM mightn't cancel it for you, ie, the seat may not go back to award inventory.

 

[Craigie]

re: Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

^^^ surely you wouldn't have been issued a boarding pass had you gone to the airport...?