Buying miles & points strategically can represent a great value, especially for first and business class travel. The avianca lifemiles program has just launched its newest promotion on purchased miles. This is a pretty typical promotion from the program, so if you have a short term use in mind for these miles, this offer could be worth it.
Note that nowadays lifemiles promotions are generally targeted, so different members may see different offers, and on top of that, some members may not see any offers at all.
Historically, I’ve found lifemiles to be one of the most useful frequent flyer programs for redeeming miles, thanks to the ability to redeem for long haul premium cabin Star Alliance awards. However, let me emphasize that the program recently devalued miles considerably, both increasing award costs, and seemingly blocking more award space. At the moment, I see fairly limited value with redemption options through the program.
I’m writing about this deal because there are some people who will be able to get outsized value from this offer in the short term. However, I’d only consider buying miles with a very specific use in mind, as you should proceed with caution. For what it’s worth, I don’t get any sort of kickback if you buy miles — I just want to make OMAAT readers aware of the deals that are available.
In this post:
Promotion on purchased lifemiles
Through Friday, March 14, 2025, the avianca lifemiles program is offering a bonus on purchased miles. Different members may be targeted for different offers, though it appears the standard offer is for a bonus of up to 160%, and that’s structured as follows:
- Buy 1,000-10,000 miles, get a 140% bonus
- Buy 11,000-25,000 miles, get a 150% bonus
- Buy 26,000-200,000 miles, get a 160% bonus
You’ll of course want to check your account to see what offer you’re targeted for.
How much does it cost to buy lifemiles?
Ordinarily you can buy avianca lifemiles for 3.3 cents each, before any discounts or bonuses. That means that if you purchased 200,000 lifemiles (pre-bonus) with a 160% bonus, you’d receive a total of 520,000 lifemiles for $6,600, which is a cost of 1.27 cents per mile.
How many lifemiles can you buy?
The lifemiles program lets members purchase up to 200,000 miles per account per calendar year, before factoring in any bonuses.
Which credit card should you buy lifemiles with?
With lifemiles now using points.com, this means that buying miles no longer counts as an airfare purchase for the purposes of credit card spending.
Therefore I’d recommend using a card on which you’re trying to reach a minimum spending requirement, or otherwise, a credit card that maximizes your return on everyday spending, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (review), Citi Double Cash® Card (review), or Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (review).
Is buying lifemiles worth it?
For context, avianca is in the Star Alliance, which means you can redeem lifemiles on all Star Alliance airlines without any fuel surcharges. Really this is the core value proposition of buying lifemiles, since this is a great way to book Star Alliance premium cabin seats at a huge discount. Check out my guide on how to redeem lifemiles for ideas on how to redeem these miles.
With a specific use in mind, this lifemiles promotion can be a great value, whether you’re looking at traveling first class on All Nippon Airways or Lufthansa, or are looking at traveling in business class on a countless number of airlines.
Everyone has to crunch the numbers for themselves and decide whether this makes sense or not.
Do note that in some cases lifemiles doesn’t have access to the same award availability as Star Alliance partners, for better or worse. Sometimes lifemiles doesn’t have access to partner awards that other programs do have access to, and other times the inverse is true.
That’s why I always recommend doing some “dummy” award searches before buying miles, so you can get a sense of how award availability lines up with your needs. Keep in mind that you can get even more value from the program with a lifemiles+ subscription, and lifemiles’ credit cards offer a discount on that.
How much are lifemiles worth?
Everyone will value mileage currencies differently, but personally I value lifemiles at ~1.4 cents each. That’s based on the redemption values on Star Alliance partners, as there’s tons of value to be had. I tend to value miles very conservatively, so if you’re maximizing miles you should be able to get way more value than that.
Do lifemiles expire?
Miles with the lifemiles program don’t expire as long as you accrue some miles at least once every 12 months. Any mileage earning activity, including buying miles, will extend the expiration of your miles. However, redeeming miles as such doesn’t extend the expiration of your miles.
How else can you earn lifemiles?
If you’re looking to earn lifemiles, the good news is that there are lots of options beyond outright buying them. Specifically, avianca lifemiles is partners with several bank currencies, including Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One, and Citi ThankYou, so there are lots of ways to pick up these miles.
Bottom line
The avianca lifemiles program is offering a promotion on purchased miles. Different members may be eligible for different offers, though it appears that the standard offer is for up to a 160% bonus, which is an opportunity to acquire miles for 1.27 cents each. This has the potential to represent a solid value.
Do you plan on buying lifemiles with a bonus?
No mention of the endless blocking, the issues with advertised inventory not confirming, or the multiple no-notice devaluations? Stop promoting this program. It is not credible.
There comes a time where you have to absolutely stop covering the travel industry's grifts... no matter whether they give you a commission.
LifeMiles is a grift. This "sale" doesn't fix that.
It's nearly impossible to get "outsized value" from a program that routinely devalues and often lacks the same availability as other Star Alliance programs.
Do not buy LifeMiles. Do not save a balance of LifeMiles. Do not consider LifeMiles an option.
I still see flights with lifemiles+ next week for 45k for ten hours in ANA biz from Sydney to Tokyo. Program is tougher with the blocking but still worth it at $630 +$63.
Points are on sale all the time so no need to plow in in advance but if I was Japan bound next week I’d buy in a second. 3-4 seats open.
Alaska just as bad. Blocking all the Qantas and...
I still see flights with lifemiles+ next week for 45k for ten hours in ANA biz from Sydney to Tokyo. Program is tougher with the blocking but still worth it at $630 +$63.
Points are on sale all the time so no need to plow in in advance but if I was Japan bound next week I’d buy in a second. 3-4 seats open.
Alaska just as bad. Blocking all the Qantas and JAL seats. Shows 10 fake premium economy seats on every flight. United charges 90k for the same route.
It’s all frustrating but I won’t be boycotting lifemiles. It’s part of my matrix in figuring out how to get from a to b in biz. Noting that paid fares are like $4000 so plenty of wiggle room in terms of the program being useful. Especially with no cancellation charges now.
Ben, I’ve learned a lot from your blog; and I have immense respect for you. I hope that you reconsider promoting LifeMiles again on here given the twin punch of the devaluation and blocking partner award availability. Caveats of buyer beware don’t justice under these circumstances.
Disagree. It’s not an easy program to use but still has immense value if you’re flexible and like paying 20% of the regular price to fly biz. I’d still rank lifemiles as my top 1-2 go tos (especially after mileage plus blew itself up).
Try using Singapore points (almost worthless).
Now that my simply miles American miles are close to zero I’ve got to rely on other means and buying lifemiles and aeroplan...
Disagree. It’s not an easy program to use but still has immense value if you’re flexible and like paying 20% of the regular price to fly biz. I’d still rank lifemiles as my top 1-2 go tos (especially after mileage plus blew itself up).
Try using Singapore points (almost worthless).
Now that my simply miles American miles are close to zero I’ve got to rely on other means and buying lifemiles and aeroplan is great value.
If you’re into miles you’d be crazy to write off lifemiles.
Only a street corner pimp would try to sell this as good p***y. You are a fraud for posting this b***s**t program.
I have been “stuck” with + 200,000 miles that award space evaporated. Every time I’ve tried to find flights- none available.
These caveats/CYAs don't cut it considering the massive devaluation. You're promoting a terrible deal, disclaimers or no disclaimers.
I for one support covering this deal. After all, some people might be looking to clear out their LifeMiles balance, so this is a great chance to get whatever they need and then close their account.
That's possible, but quite a stretch, which I don't buy.
Let me buy more crack before I quit crack!
In light of the most recent devaluation, it's disappointing to see this post :/
Tomorrow in the comedy series lineup: Buy Aeroplan miles!
Followed by Alaska mileage plan the next day.
Buyer beware
Think the line about no fuel surcharges needs updating, no? Isn't Lifemiles now charging a surcharge on Lufthansa awards?
You are kidding, right?
Do you still value lifemiles at 1.4 cents each, or does that need to be updated? Seems high after the devals.
Why are you recommending the purchase of LifeMiles when you know they are essentially worthless now?
@Biance, @Ivyrouge, did you actually read the article, Ben clearly stated upfront:
“ However, let me emphasize that the program recently devalued miles considerably, both increasing award costs, and seemingly blocking more award space. At the moment, I see fairly limited value with redemption options through the program.”
I did. And it's very much appreciated. I still think the post in unnecessary at this exact moment.
Always a comedian.
Tough to find award seats. Tough to redeem. Tough expiry policy. Tough to cancel. Avoid
Except they just gutted redemptions.
The best value domestic redemptions that used to be 6500 miles are 10000 miles.
Nothing lasts forever not Lifemiles are no longer the solid value they used to be.
I appreciate you caveating up front with information about the recent devaluation.
After their recent no notice deval, no thanks. Live and let's fly is doing a boycott.