Is it normal for LG warranty service to schedule three visits before even diagnosing anything?

That clicking every few minutes with a freezer that won't hold temp is a classic sign the compressor is trying to start and failing. The click you're hearing is the start relay kicking in, then the overload cutting it back off when it doesn't get going. It'll do that over and over. Could also be a bad relay on a healthy compressor, which is actually the cheaper outcome, but the pattern you're describing usually means the compressor itself is struggling. Either way it's squarely in sealed system / compressor territory, so yes, the phone rep's guess was reasonable.

I went through almost the same sequence with mine a few years back. First visit was diagnostics only, tech confirmed a dead compressor, ordered the part, second visit did the install. Two visits total and it was fixed. The three-step thing only kicks in if the first repair doesn't solve it, so don't assume you're signing up for a month of appointments. Ask the tech on visit one to log it explicitly as a sealed system issue if the compressor is the suspect. That matters because LG treats sealed system claims differently from regular parts, and if it eventually needs to escalate to a replacement, having it classified correctly from day one saves you from redoing arguments later. A few things that helped me: get the case number and the tech's written diagnosis, keep every appointment confirmation in email, and take a photo of the model and serial plate before anyone shows up. If the first repair doesn't fix it, don't let them start over from scratch with a new diagnosis, push to have the original case reopened. Meanwhile, get a cheap appliance thermometer for the fridge side and keep it under 40 degrees if you can. If it's drifting warmer, move the dairy and anything else perishable to a cooler with ice packs until the fix happens. Milk spoiling early is exactly what you'd expect from a fridge sitting in the high 40s. As for wheather the multi-visit process is an LG thing, it's mostly just how manufacturer warranty service works in general. They use third-party shops, and the authorized techs can't order sealed system parts without a documented diagnosis. Independent repair guys can sometimes skip the whole dance, but if it's a compressor under the sealed system warranty, use the warranty. That's exactly what it's for.

First post here so hopefully this is useful. We had a similar drawn out warranty thing but with our LG dishwasher, diffrent problem entirely, but the appointment dance was the same. What surprised me was the wait between visits was mostly on the repair shop's end, not LG itself. When the first tech no-showed I called the shop directly instead of the warranty line and they rescheduled way faster. Might be worth figuring out which local shop they're sending out and having thier number handy. Also felt clueless when the tech came, but honestly they seemed fine explaining stuff, so don't stress about that part.

I'd push back on the idea that this is just how all manufacturer warranty service works. When our washer died I dealt with two other brands before and neither made me sit thru a diagnostics-only visit. With LG, the problem in my area was there were only two authorized shops within driving distance, and both were swamped, so even a simple part swap stretched into weeks. The process itself might be standard, but the thin servicer network is what made it feel like an LG thing. Worth calling around to see how many authorized shops actually cover your zip code before you commit to their timeline.

Back in my day the parts guy rode along with the tech and you got it done in one visit, but that world's long gone. One thing I'd check before the appointment even happens, pull the fridge out and look at the condenser coils underneath or behind the grille. If they're choked with dust and pet hair the compressor runs hot and works harder, and that sure doesn't help a struggling one. Unplug it first and brush or vacuum them off. Takes twenty minutes and costs nothing. I do mine twice a year same as the furnace filter, and it's saved me at least one service call over the years.

Update: pulled the fridge out and cleaned the coils like one of you suggested, and the clicking got noticeably quieter, so that part seems handled. Freezer is still running warm though, and the first service visit is booked for next week. For those who went through this, did the tech actually order parts on the spot or did you have to wait on a call?