LifeMiles no good for TG, TK J award seats at present

[davidjm2389]

I have been trying to use the LifeMiles screen shot method to book a flight for next May from MEL - Europe. The LifeMiles website shows quite a bit of TG J availability on TG466 and plenty of TK J availability onward to and in Europe.
I submitted my proposed booking but was informed by LifeMiles that TG and TK are not allowing LifeMiles to book business seats at present.

 

[Mattg]

I wonder if this is related to a story published by LoyaltyLobby today?

Avianca LifeMiles Partner Ticket Disaster Turkish

A reader had a disaster with Avianca LifeMiles award ticket issued for travel on Turkish AIrlines.

loyaltylobby.com

Apparently, somebody in the USA bought LifeMiles and redeemed them for a TK J award ticket to Tanzania. The ticket was apparently never tickted by Turkish, even though LifeMiles collected payment for the ticket, and the pax was denied boarding. Avianca & Turkish are blaming each other.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I wonder if this is related to a story published by LoyaltyLobby today?

Avianca LifeMiles Partner Ticket Disaster Turkish

A reader had a disaster with Avianca LifeMiles award ticket issued for travel on Turkish AIrlines.

loyaltylobby.com

Apparently, somebody in the USA bought LifeMiles and redeemed them for a TK J award ticket to Tanzania. The ticket was apparently never tickted by Turkish, even though LifeMiles collected payment for the ticket, and the pax was denied boarding. Avianca & Turkish are blaming each other.

yeah

Timely reminder that for partner award bookings, people should always confirm with the operating airline that a ticket number is against the booking. This can sometimes be through the manage booking function (for example on Thai Airways, your ticket number will be displayed there), or by calling the airline direct, requesting them to retrieve your booking, and specifically asking 'do you have a ticket number against this booking?'.

Selecting seats, special meals or other services, or having spoken to a reservations agent to check your baggage allowance or visa requirements will not confirm you are 'good to fly'.

Also a reminder to check frequently for schedule changes which may require a ticket to be revalidated or reissued.

This problem is not unique to Avianca and Lifemiles unfortunately. We used to have it with SQ for Star Alliance (if not issued within 24 hours the booking would auto-cancel). And we've had it with Qantas awards on Qatar (failure to reissue in time).

Travelling on an award seat of the issuing airline is not a problem. They can always create a seat for you if they have messed up.