Im a big fan of the avianca lifemiles program, and find it to be a valuable frequent flyer program for Star Alliance award redemptions. While there are lots of ways to acquire lifemiles, the ability to earn with co-branded credit cards in the United States is one of the easiest.
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I suspect that most readers will be aware of this, but I do feel like it's worth flagging that Lifemiles is known for (1) unannounced devaluations and (2) truly atrocious customer service.
I'll be honest, the Lifemiles CC is probably the card I have the most regrets about opening. Cardless is just such a pain to deal with compared with other banks. My initial bonus didn't come through automatically and the number of phone calls and emails it took to get fixed was absurd.
The Lifemiles app is garbage... and basically the only feasible "good value" redemption as a West Coast based traveler is last minute Lufthansa from Denver.... maaaybe SFO if you are super lucky.
I have to agree with Redacted and MRL. My bonus miles have yet to post even though I knocked out the $4,500 in the first billing cycle. I also upgraded to the Pro subscription with LifeMiles on Dec 5. It charged me the $80 subscription rate TWICE and my subscription still show the complimentary Lite plan. I have called LifeMiles at least 7 times and I still don't have a refund or my plan changed. It's always "it's been escalated to a superviser and you'll have to wait". The email I sent about it was never even replied to. The LM customer service is atrocious. At this point, I am out the $160.00 I opened this card because with a Colombian spouse and traveling to Medellin all the time, it's a no brainer - but geez, dealing with LM and Avianca is not for the weak of heart.
My experience with Cardless is awful. I failed the "security" process at the outset of an online application (entered wrong phone number) and I was flagged "security" problem, so no application could be submitted. As a non-customer, there was no communication channel for support. All subsequent attempts to actually submit an app were rejected because "you already submitted too many applications" when in fact I'd submitted none. I hope this clears oneday and I can submit one. What I can't do is communicate with them, and ask them to look into the problem.
As for LifeMiles, I suspect this guy wants to book all his travel at least a month in advance, but less than 10 months in advance. When he searches for seats from LAX to wherever, he doesn't find what he wants. His complaint that there are no "feasible good value" redemptions from west coast US mainland is basically just silly. He's right, if one is unwilling to use any third-party tools to find availability in advance, unwilling to book at times when availability is likely better, unwilling to learn the peculiarities of the LifeMiles program. But if one is willing to roll up one's sleeves, one can get terrific value from LifeMiles. Examples include ANA F (including to/from west coast USA), Lufthansa F (including to/from west coast USA), UA Y (USA/Canada/Mexico), AC Y (Canada/USA/Mexico), TG Y (Thailand/Japan) and many more.
Nearly all programs are known for unannounced dvals and LifeMiles' rep for bad service is old news. Most recent reports say that their service is "surprisingly" good. Frequentmiler is good on this. Most readers are more likely to have a good experience, if they learn how to find availability. I've never regretted my purchases of LifeMiles, and there have been many.
I have had terrible sucess finding domestic availability on United flights even when United has plenty of availability.
Agree with the Cardless experience. Never try opening a dispute. They are so understaffed and just ignore emails.
Agree with the Cardless experience. Never try opening a dispute. They are so understaffed and just ignore emails.
I think there are still a handful of programs (AC immediately comes to mind) that do not engage in unannounced devals. W/r/t service, I get your general point, if you know what you're getting into, but while I've had AC agents manually construct awards where there was segment availability but not availability for the complete itinerary, which can be enormously helpful at times, I've never heard of LifeMiles agents doing so. I also got burned by Lifemiles when LH-group redemptions went down for a week without explanation, when I was trying to book close-in LH-F space.
The life miles site doesn't load on a consistent basis for me -- the whole program has a bit of a scam feel to it.
Almost got the Avianaca card until i realized that Avianca Silver status doesn't even get free checked back on Star Alliance, only on Avianca metal (and not on basic fares). Hard pass.
For those considering the $99 annual fee card, one thing to note is the Avianca Silver status benefits do no apply to "basic" economy ticket, unlike United. So you will need to consider paying more for the "regular" economy ticket to enjoy those benefits.
Lifemiles customer service is great for simple fixes like reservation changes etc. but the moment things get the least bit nuanced it's a total disaster. For more nuanced avianca policies or situations, it's my experience that most agents don't actually understand the policies and give out incorrect information or send customers needlessly around the block to other departments on a wild goose chase. For example the other day I was trying to upgrade a lifemiles reservation with miles, but the agent insisted that you could only upgrade with cash (the opposite is the case, you can only upgrade using miles for purchases originally made in miles). Or in another case, I was asking how the new upgrade certificates work (one of the benefits of the card) and I must have talked with a half dozen agents none of whom knew the answer.