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Avianca LifeMiles increases prices of awards to Europe, Asia, South Pacific and more

Feb. 10, 2025
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6 min read
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Avianca's LifeMiles program has increased redemption costs on many popular routes just six months after increasing Europe rates. As first reported by Loyalty Lobby, the Bogota, Colombia-based loyalty program has increased mileage costs operated by Star Alliance partners, including United Airlines, EVA Airways and All Nippon Airways, without warning.

There are increases across the board. Here is what you need to know.

Flights to Europe

Flights to Europe in economy and business class, which were already increased in August 2025 by up to 17%, have increased again:

  • Economy class: from 35,000 miles to 40,000 miles one-way per person, plus taxes and fees (up by about 14%)
  • Business class: from 70,000 miles to 80,000 miles one-way per person, plus taxes and fees (up by about 15%)
AVIANCA LIFEMILES

Fortunately, first-class costs have not increased, although they were raised by 50% last year.

Flights to Asia

Flights to Asia have increased as follows:

  • Economy class: from 47,000 miles to 55,000 miles one-way per person, plus taxes and fees (up by about 18%)
  • Business class: from 90,000 miles to 100,000 miles one-way per person, plus taxes and fees (up by about 11%)
AVIANCA LIFEMILES

Similar to the Europe flights, pricing for first-class seats to and from Asia has not changed. First-class redemptions remain at 120,000 miles one-way per person.

Domestic flights within the US

The LifeMiles program had previously used a complex award chart for domestic flights, with the U.S. separated into three different zones. Prices ranged from 7,500 to 17,500 miles in economy and 15,000 to 25,000 miles in business class/domestic first.

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Prices flying United Airlines domestically appear to have been increased across the board. Some examples TPG has found include:

  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): was 7,500 miles one-way per person, plus taxes and fees; now 10,000 miles one-way per person, plus taxes and fees, in economy
  • Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): was 10,000 miles one-way per person, plus taxes and fees; now 15,000 miles one-way per person, plus taxes and fees, in economy
  • SFO to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): was 12,500 miles one-way per person, plus taxes and fees; now 15,000 miles one-way per person, plus taxes and fees, in economy
  • EWR to LAX: was 12,500 miles one-way per person, plus taxes and fees; now 15,000 miles one-way per person, plus taxes and fees, in economy
  • Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD): was 22,500 miles one-way per person, plus taxes and fees; now 25,000 miles one-way per person, plus taxes and fees, in economy

Flights to Australia/New Zealand

If you're heading Down Under, Avianca has also increased the LifeMiles redemption rates:

  • Economy class: from 40,000 miles to 55,000 miles one-way per person, plus taxes and fees (up by about 38%)
  • Business class: from 80,000 miles to 100,000 miles one-way per person, plus taxes and fees (up by about 25%)
AVIANCA LIFEMILES

LifeMiles partner award charts have not yet been updated, so they only show the predevaluation prices.

The program does not offer premium economy redemptions on any airline, perhaps because Avianca does not operate this class of service itself.

What is LifeMiles+ World?

In the above screenshots of the increased redemption rates, you may notice discounted prices for "LifeMiles+ World." This paid monthly subscription service offers 10% off redemptions, bonus miles each month and double miles earned on credit card spending.

A six-month minimum commitment is required, so even the cheapest Plan Lite would cost a minimum of $120 if you do not hold the Avianca LifeMiles American Express® Elite Card. However, this could still be a savvy investment if you want to save 10% on a round-trip award of 200,000 LifeMiles and earn 500 LifeMiles each month for your subscription.

The information for the Aviance LifeMiles Amex has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

AVIANCA LIFEMILES

Should you still redeem LifeMiles?

While a South American loyalty program might not have been on your radar, LifeMiles miles are easy to earn since the program is a transfer partner of the following currencies:

You may have no plans to visit Colombia or South America, but as a member of Star Alliance, Avianca partners with many popular airlines. For example, if you want to travel to Europe, there are many options from United, Air Canada, Lufthansa, LOT Polish Airlines, Swiss and Austrian Airlines, among other carriers. Availability in economy and business class has been fairly easy, given the large number of flights across the Atlantic.

Related: The best ways to travel to Europe using points and miles

It's worth noting that LifeMiles does not seem to have access to the same number of seats as other Star Alliance airlines. In particular, Lufthansa appears to be blocking some seats across the Atlantic.

If you want to redeem transferable points on Star Alliance airlines following this LifeMiles devaluation, consider Air Canada's Aeroplan program instead. It partners with many transferable currencies, and its award charts work slightly differently, as awards are priced on both regions and distances. However, the program remains a cheaper option for most economy flights to Europe (35,000 or 40,000 Aeroplan points, depending on distance) and a great deal for business class to Europe (priced at a reasonable 60,000 to 70,000 Aeroplan points, depending on distance).

Similarly, while you may find economy flights to Asia and the South Pacific at a similar price in economy to the new LifeMiles prices, business-class flights should be slightly cheaper.

Bottom line

Unexpected price increases like this are an unfortunate reality of earning and redeeming points and miles. It's always unpleasant when they are done without warning to members, especially when other programs like Qantas recently gave members a generous six-month warning to redeem points at previous rates before prices increase.

Still, transferable points and miles have great value, and you can protect yourself from these devaluations by keeping your points and miles in your favorite credit card program's account and only transferring them to a partner airline or hotel program when you are ready to redeem them.

Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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  • Annual Fee is $325.
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