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Avianca LifeMiles raised award costs to Asia with no notice: Here's what you need to know
Ehsan Haque
Contributor
Sept. 30, 2022
•
3 min read
Avianca LifeMiles raised award costs to Asia with no notice: Here's what you need to know
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The Avianca LifeMiles loyalty program is arguably one of the most under-appreciated programs in the industry. The program has been known to have information technology issues and notoriously poor customer service, but makes up for it with some unique sweet spot redemptions.
The combination of these valuable sweet spots and the ability to earn LifeMiles via transfers from various transferable points programs, including American Express Membership Rewards (1:1 transfer ratio), Brex Rewards (1:1 transfer ratio), Capital One miles (1:1 transfer ratio), Citi ThankYou Rewards (1:1 transfer ratio) and Marriott Bonvoy (3:1 transfer ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every increment of 60,000 points you transfer) make LifeMiles an appealing loyalty program.
One popular Avianca LifeMiles sweet spot has been flying between the U.S. and Asia in lie-flat business class for as little as 75,000 LifeMiles one-way on Star Alliance partners. But, as first noted by Thrifty Traveler, it seems like some LifeMiles sweet spots were recently devalued with no notice. Let's take a look at what happened.
Related: Can’t find award availability with Avianca LifeMiles? Don’t give up until you try this trick
Devaluation breakdown
In short: most, if not all, awards between the U.S. and Asia currently cost more LifeMiles than before. After years of inexpensive award rates in both economy and business class, LifeMiles has seemingly increased award rates by as much as 30% on redemptions between the U.S. and Asia.
Previously, you could fly one-way from New York to Taipei for 35,000 LifeMiles in economy class and 75,000 LifeMiles in business class. Now, you'll need to redeem 45,000 LifeMiles to fly in economy class and 90,000 LifeMiles in business class.
Likewise, you could previously fly one-way from Los Angeles to Tokyo on ANA for 35,000 LifeMiles in economy class and 75,000 LifeMiles in business class. This is now bookable for 40,000 LifeMiles in economy class and 85,000 LifeMiles in business class.
You'll see the same new pricing for a United-operated flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo.
And, as expected, you'll see the same pricing on Singapore Airlines' fifth-freedom route from Los Angeles to Tokyo.
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Related: Here’s why you need a healthy stash of Avianca LifeMiles
Bottom line
This is an unfortunate devaluation for those looking to redeem Avianca LifeMiles to fly between the U.S and Asia. With these changes, you may want to consider other programs. To give you an idea of where to start, check out our guides on the best ways to travel to Japan with points and miles and how to get to Singapore using points and miles.
It is worth noting that the award charts are still unchanged on Avianca's website, so we're hopeful this higher award pricing is a glitch. We've reached out to an Avianca spokesperson for comment and will update the story once we receive a statement.
Featured image by AARONP/BAUER-GRIFFIN/GC IMAGES
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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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $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.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.