Joe McConnell
One of the best ways to book first-class flights to Europe with points and miles just got a lot more expensive: Avianca’s LifeMiles program increased redemption rates by up to 50 percent overnight.
As first reported by One Mile at a Time, the South American-based program has, without prior notice, increased award fares on flights operated by Star Alliance member airlines from North America to Europe as follows:
- Economy Class: 30,000 miles to 35,000 miles (up 17%)
- Business class: 63,000 miles to 70,000 miles (up 11%)
- First Class: 87,000 miles to 130,000 miles (50% increase)
The LifeMiles program has not yet updated its partner award chart, which still shows the previous mileage rates, but current availability searches show higher prices.
The redemption fee increases for economy and business class on partner airlines such as Swiss, Air Canada, United Airlines and Austrian Airlines are modest and still represent a good value compared to other programs, especially since the program does not impose fuel surcharges. However, the increase in first class fares is extreme.
LifeMiles has always been one of the most convenient ways to book first-class awards to Europe. While fellow Lufthansa airline Swiss does not offer transatlantic first-class awards to Europe, Lufthansa has always opened first-class seats to partners within 14 days of departure. Note that most seats are available 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 to 120,000 miles on partner airlines such as All Nippon Airways; availability on these flights is exceptionally hard to find.
While a Colombian loyalty program might not be the first place you think of to redeem miles for flights to Europe, LifeMiles is easy to earn since 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 write-down is especially unfortunate, given that Cardless recently launched two new Avianca-branded credit cards for U.S. residents. If you applied for this card with the intention of booking a flight to Europe, you may have to settle for business class instead of first class with the new expensive fares.
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If you’re looking to book Lufthansa First Class to experience the famous First Class terminal at Frankfurt Airport (FRA), your best option now is to book through Air Canada’s Aeroplan program, which is also a multi-currency credit card transfer partner. Business class awards on partner airlines like Lufthansa to Europe cost 60,000 points from the East Coast of the United States or 70,000 points from the Midwest and West Coast, similar to LifeMiles rates.
For first-class awards to Europe, Aeroplan fares are 90,000 to 100,000 points, depending on where you depart from in North America. That’s a better deal than the 130,000 miles Avianca LifeMiles now charges.
In conclusion
Devaluations are an unfortunate reality of earning and redeeming points and miles, and they are especially unfortunate when programs raise prices without notifying members. LifeMiles has been the most convenient way to book premium miles flights to Europe for years.
Now, business class partner fares are similar to other programs like Aeroplan; for first class flights, it is best to consider booking through Aeroplan.
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