Avianca LifeMiles increases prices of all awards to Europe by up to 50%
One of the best ways to book first-class flights to Europe with points and miles has just become much more expensive: Avianca's LifeMiles program increased redemption rates overnight by up to 50%.
As first reported by One Mile at a Time, the South America-based program has, without warning, increased award rates for flights operated by Star Alliance partner airlines from North America to Europe as follows:
- Economy class: From 30,000 miles to 35,000 miles (up by 17%)
- Business class: From 63,000 miles to 70,000 miles (up by 11%)
- First class: From 87,000 miles to 130,000 miles (up by 50%)
The LifeMiles program has not yet updated its partner award chart, which still shows the previous mileage rates, but searches for current availability show higher prices.
The increases to economy- and business-class redemption rates on partner airlines — like Swiss, Air Canada, United Airlines and Austrian Airlines — are mild and still represent good value compared with other programs, especially as the program does not impose fuel surcharges. However, the first-class rate increase is extreme.
LifeMiles has consistently been one of the best-value ways to book first-class awards to Europe. While fellow Lufthansa Group airline Swiss does not make transatlantic first-class awards available to Europe, Lufthansa has consistently opened up first-class seats to partners within 14 days of departure. Note that most seats are released within a few days of departure, favoring those who can book at the last minute.
The program has also increased the price of first-class awards from North America to Asia from 90,000 miles to 120,000 miles on partner airlines like All Nippon Airways; availability on these flights is exceptionally hard to come by.
While a Colombian loyalty program might not be the first place you would think of to redeem miles for flights to Europe, LifeMiles are easy to earn as the program is a 1:1 transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One and Citi ThankYou Rewards. According to TPG's August 2024 valuations, LifeMiles are worth 1.7 cents each.
The timing of this devaluation is especially unfortunate, given that Cardless recently launched two new Avianca-branded credit cards for U.S. residents. If you had applied for this card with the plan to book a flight to Europe, you may have to settle for business class rather than first class with the pricey new rates.
If you are looking to book Lufthansa's first class to experience the famous first-class terminal in Frankfurt Airport (FRA), your best option now is to book through Air Canada's Aeroplan program — also a transfer partner of multiple credit card currencies. Business-class awards on partner airlines like Lufthansa to Europe cost 60,000 points from the U.S. East Coast or 70,000 points from the Midwest and West Coast, similar to LifeMiles rates.
For first-class awards to Europe, the Aeroplan rates are 90,000 to 100,000 points, depending on where in North America you originate. This is a better deal than the 130,000 miles that Avianca LifeMiles now charges.
Bottom line
Devaluations are an unfortunate reality of earning and redeeming points and miles, and they are especially unpleasant when programs increase prices without notifying members. LifeMiles had for years been the best-value way to book premium-cabin flights with miles to Europe.
Now, the business-class partner rates are similar to those of other programs like Aeroplan; for first-class flights, it is better to consider booking through Aeroplan instead.
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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.