The avianca lifemiles program is one of the most useful frequent flyer programs out there for redeeming miles. The beauty of lifemiles is that it’s not just useful if you want to fly with avianca, but also if you want to travel on any Star Alliance carrier, especially in a premium cabin.
In this post I wanted to take a closer look at the lifemiles program, especially in light of recent developments. I’ll talk about earning and redeeming miles, and general tips for maximizing value.
In this post:
Best ways to earn avianca lifemiles
Earning avianca lifemiles couldn’t be much easier, ranging from buying them outright, to transferring points from other currencies, to picking up a lifemiles credit card, to signing up for a monthly subscription. Let’s cover some of those points.
Buy lifemiles directly
The avianca lifemiles program sells miles directly, and the program frequently offers promotions on buying miles. Generally when the program offers an opportunity to buy miles, you can expect the cost to be in the range of 1.2-1.5 cents per mile. This can be a great value.
Transfer points to lifemiles
It’s super easy to accrue miles with the lifemiles program, given that the program partners with some major transferable points currencies. Specifically, you can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio from Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, and Citi ThankYou.
Note that we sometimes see bonuses on points transfers to lifemiles, which can stretch your points even further. In my opinion this could be worth a speculative transfer, given the program’s wide appeal.
Get a lifemiles credit card
Cardless and avianca lifemiles have two co-branded credit cards in the United States. Not only do these cards have significant welcome offers, but they can potentially be lucrative for spending as well.
Get a lifemiles+ subscription
The lifemiles+ subscription service lets members pay a monthly fee in exchange for a variety of perks. There are quite a few benefits (I’ll talk more about them in a bit), but they can earn you anywhere from 500 to 10,000 miles per month. I wouldn’t make this my primary way of earning lifemiles, but it’s a good way to supplement the miles you otherwise earn.
Basics of redeeming avianca lifemiles
Before specifically taking a look at redemption rates with the lifemiles program, let me talk about some aspects of the program that are important to understand.
There are no carrier imposed surcharges
The lifemiles program doesn’t have carrier imposed surcharges for travel on any partners, which is fantastic. Some other Star Alliance frequent flyer programs do have fuel surcharges, and those can really add up, especially for first and business class tickets. So you can know that you’ll pay limited fees when you go to redeem your miles.
Don’t bother with complicated itineraries
If you’re looking to book a complicated itinerary with several layovers, or are interested in stopovers, the lifemiles program isn’t for you.
I don’t think I’ve ever booked a lifemiles award ticket that included travel on more than two segments on a one-way itinerary. Some report having luck emailing lifemiles to ticket reservations, but that seems mighty complicated, and my goal with this advice is to be practical. For me, lifemiles is a program that’s about simple, point-to-point travel.
If you want to book complicated Star Alliance itineraries (especially with stopovers), I’d highly recommend going through Air Canada Aeroplan, which is another great program.
Buy miles at ticketing at a reasonable cost
One thing that makes lifemiles unique is that the program lets you buy up to 60% of the miles needed for a ticket at the time of booking. The cost per mile doing this varies anywhere from 1.5 cents to 3.3, though if you buy around 40-60% of the miles needed at the time of booking, you can expect to pay 1.5 cents per mile.
That’s marginally higher than you’ll pay if you outright buy miles during the best promotions, but it’s still a good option to at least be aware of.
There are award availability discrepancies
There are some discrepancies between the award space that lifemiles has access to and the award space that other Star Alliance frequent flyer programs have access to. Some people report this being a huge issue, and claim that the program is useless due to lack of availability.
I absolutely don’t want to dismiss those claims, but that largely doesn’t match my experience. Perhaps it’s the type of redemptions people are trying to make. As mentioned above, I usually use lifemiles for nonstop, point-to-point travel, especially across the Atlantic (where the relative pricing is the best). Personally I don’t notice many availability discrepancies.
Just to make sure things haven’t changed recently, I just did four random award searches for flights I could see myself using lifemiles for:
- LOT business class from Chicago to Warsaw
- Lufthansa business class from Miami to Frankfurt
- SWISS business class from Montreal to Zurich
- United business class from Newark to London
In each case lifemiles displayed exactly the same award availability as other partner programs. One important thing to keep in mind is that on lifemiles’ website there are different search options. There’s a drop down where you can select “Smart Search,” “Star Alliance,” or the name of any individual partner airline.
I generally find availability is best if you search the exact airline that has availability, as there are sometimes differences in what’s displayed depending on how you search.
So award availability discrepancies is something to be aware of and something to do your own research on, but it’s not something I personally consider to be a major downside to the program, at least based on the types of awards I book. Others obviously feel differently, and I respect that. Just about all programs have some discrepancies, though.
Change fees & mileage expiration policy
It’s always important to understand the change fee and expiration policies for frequent flyer programs, so what are the policies for lifemiles?
- Miles expire after 12 months of inactivity, though lifemiles only counts mileage earning activity (and not mileage redemption activity) for these purposes; so if you accrue miles with the program at least every 12 months, they won’t expire
- The program has change and cancelation fees, and you can expect that changes will ordinarily cost $150, while cancelations will typically cost $50-200; however, you can get this waived by getting a lifemiles+ subscription (more on that below)
Sign-up for a lifemiles+ subscription
The lifemiles+ subscription service offers four different tiers you can subscribe to, with a monthly fee. There are a few key benefits:
- All four tiers receive a 10% rebate on Star Alliance award redemptions, which can stretch your miles further
- The top three tiers (all tiers except “lite”) offer waived change and cancelation fees on lifemiles award tickets
- All tiers offer a monthly bonus miles amount, ranging from 500 to 10,000 bonus miles
If you redeem lifemiles with any frequency, I think getting a membership here is a great value, particularly for the 10% refund and the waived fees. I think the “basic” tier is the best value.
Redemption rates with avianca lifemiles
The avianca lifemiles program no longer publishes an award chart, but does have pretty consistent award pricing. Just to give an example of average rates you can expect to pay when originating travel in the mainland of the United States (all prices are one-way):
- An award within the United States costs 6,500-12,500 miles in economy, or 15,000-25,000 miles in business
- An award to Europe costs 22,500-43,000 miles in economy, 45,000-70,000 miles in business, or 130,000 miles in first
- An award to North Asia costs 35,000 miles in economy, 75,000 miles in business, or 120,000 miles in first
- An award to the South Pacific costs 40,000 miles in economy, or 80,000 miles in first
How I approach redeeming lifemiles
How does lifemiles fit into my strategy of redeeming miles for first and business class travel? Let me share a few general thoughts on how I approach the program, and how I currently feel about it:
- I always like to have a balance of at least 150K lifemiles (give or take), so will acquire them opportunistically, like when there’s a sale on purchased miles, or when there’s a transfer bonus
- When I’m looking to book a simple Star Alliance award, I always comparison shop with Air Canada Aeroplan and avianca lifemiles; I always book complicated awards through Aeroplan, while I often book simpler awards through lifemiles
- I’m thinking of signing up for the new lifemiles+ subscription, because the 10% rebate on redemptions, plus the waived change and cancelation fees, makes the program even more compelling
Bottom line
The avianca lifemiles program is one of the most useful frequent flyer programs for Star Alliance award redemptions. If you’re looking to get a great deal on a first or business class award on a Star Alliance carrier, it’s tough to beat the value of the program.
There are definitely some things to be aware of with lifemiles, as is the case with all frequent flyer programs. The two airline programs I redeem the most points through are avianca lifemiles and Air Canada Aeroplan, and they’re great complements to one another. Given the low potential acquisition cost for lifemiles, you can’t beat the value of booking simple, long haul premium cabin awards with these miles.
What has your experience been with redeeming lifemiles?
hbilbao, they did change the pricing. It is no longer a rebate it is reduced up front. It has been that way for some months.
Thanks, @BW. It's funny that this change has been in place for months but their websites (Spa/Eng) were just updated this week! (I checked several times last week, LOL). Now it finally say "10% discount". In the Spa version they even added "automatic" to "discount".
Transparency and timeliness seem like relics of a different era in human history...
@Ben, lifemiles is no longer honoring the 10% miles refund for *A redemptions.
It's upsetting that they still advertise this benefit on the international English and Spanish websites (LM subscription in Colombia has different terms and benefits, though).
Source: Me. I just submitted a complaint because I didn't receive the 10% miles refund for a recent AC redemption and the reply I got was more or less like "your redemption already included a 10% discount...
@Ben, lifemiles is no longer honoring the 10% miles refund for *A redemptions.
It's upsetting that they still advertise this benefit on the international English and Spanish websites (LM subscription in Colombia has different terms and benefits, though).
Source: Me. I just submitted a complaint because I didn't receive the 10% miles refund for a recent AC redemption and the reply I got was more or less like "your redemption already included a 10% discount so you won't receive a miles refund. Our terms and conditions have been updated".
Of course, I checked the websites and nothing has changed.
I used to cheer AV and LM since those days when they were one and the same company. But, the lack of transparency of airlines and FT programs in general really angers me.
"In each case lifemiles displayed exactly the same award availability as other partner programs." - Did you try booking any of these? That's where teh discrepency comes in. Often it will show availability and when you go to book it'll giv you an error. Sometimes you can call and they can find the space. But I'm running up against multiple routes (one or two flights... pretty basic) where Lifemiles, United and Air Canada show the...
"In each case lifemiles displayed exactly the same award availability as other partner programs." - Did you try booking any of these? That's where teh discrepency comes in. Often it will show availability and when you go to book it'll giv you an error. Sometimes you can call and they can find the space. But I'm running up against multiple routes (one or two flights... pretty basic) where Lifemiles, United and Air Canada show the availability, but Lifemiles won't let me book it... and that was after paying for 100k miles. When it works, it's great. But it so often doesn't work.
Hi Ben (or anyone who may have an answer), regarding redemptions on Star Alliance with LifeMiles - is there any way to book Premium Economy using their site? SQ has just released a revamped PE offering and often when there is no Business availability, PE is available although never see this through LifeMiles site. Thanks
Anyone know why Lifemiles would be charging YQ/YR for award tickets on some ANA routes but not others?
Specifically, I'm looking at JFK-HND where the YQ is $216 and YR $7. But when I look at ORD-NRT, there is no YQ or YR charged.
Award availability in Business on Thai airways out of Australia is now virtually gone, as is availability on Air India
To make matters worse their website does not even recognise Tokyo Haneda airport, it only shows Narita , making flights between Australia and Japan unbookable! What a mess! Hope they eventually Fix it
Award availability in Business on Thai airways out of Australia is now virtually gone, as is availability on Air India
To make matters worse their website does not even recognise Tokyo Haneda airport, it only shows Narita , making flights between Australia and Japan unbookable! What a mess! Hope they eventually Fix it
Can you book 3 or more tickets US to Europe Biz with Avianca? (Iberia has limit of 2 for example)?
The Avianca's website shows economy flights even when you pick business/first. Has this always been the case or is it a temporary bug? It's annoying.
They display business flights if available
below the economy flights Often if business flights are selected you get an error message when you try and book, because business award availability is now becoming more scarce and very difficult to Find
One thing you don't cover - hopefully you'll respond to this as it's simply an omission - is space in premium cabins to Asia. How is lifemiles at getting space for 2 in business to Asia on EVA, for instance?
I always find value with lifemiles. Flying Saturday MUC to SFO economy connecting to Burbank first for 32,000 miles on United. Sept 1st flying SIN -DEL business, DEL to SFO first for 110,000. I buy all my miles from lifemiles.
I just used up the remainder of my 1.4 million miles stockpile that we purchased back before COVID when they were having sales and huge bonuses. At first I found it difficult for us to use them, but when I started figuring out the best ways to search, it made things easier. Like you mention Ben, the key is flexibility and easy itineraries. We used up the last of our miles for our Xmas trip...
I just used up the remainder of my 1.4 million miles stockpile that we purchased back before COVID when they were having sales and huge bonuses. At first I found it difficult for us to use them, but when I started figuring out the best ways to search, it made things easier. Like you mention Ben, the key is flexibility and easy itineraries. We used up the last of our miles for our Xmas trip to the UK for 3 in Dec from LAX-VIE on LH with a stop in MUC. We stay in Vienna for 2 nights, then we fly VIE-FRA-MAN. On the way home in Jan, I got 3 VIE-ORD. We purchased the positioning flights from OKC-LAX, MAN-VIE and ORD-OKC very early, like right when the bookings became available, so the business class was relatively cheap. I'm sure when we've got some extra cash laying around, we'll be purchasing some more now that I know how to use them better. The Lifemiles+ subscription does sound like an excellent value.
Thanks for this article. I know most of your readership is US based but I'd love if a small table in those kind of articles would be dedicated for those of us who originate from Europe. Like how much miles from Europe to SE Asia ? Or typical sweet spots on *A from Europe. Would be highly appreciated
How do you search avianca availability? It doesn’t come up on seats.aero.
Directly at lifemiles.com works best for me.
Just searched for J avail for HND/NRT-SFO/LAX over the next week and nothing. Numerous options bookable on UA. I did a smart search, Star Alliance search, and an ANA search. Nada
I stand corrected. Nada for HND, though I am finding some NRT avail though not all.
I don't get why you're blaming LM. Go blame united or ana. They are the ones NOT releasing award space.
Check Alaska, booked round trip JAL business class 60k each way from SFO
I've had many great redemptions in the past. But while, for example, I am finding IAD FRA six months out in J, but I can't find IAD FRA OSL. The latter is readily available on UA and LH. Very frustrating.
Ben has quietly modified his Lifemiles guidance. He used to be firm about not buying lifemiles prospectively unless you are booking immediately. He does not apply the same rule to subscriptions? It’s sounds risky.
I purchased mine a long time ago, before I knew how to properly use them. In order to maintain them, I just purchased 1k miles a year ($35) to keep my account active. It is best if you have an itinerary in mind, but there are ways to go about not losing the miles.
I think the info about prices of buying miles at checkout are outdated. It looks like it's always app. 3 Cent now, no matter how many miles you buy.
I suggest people beware of LifeMiles. At least use a credit card that has strong consumer protection/chargeback protection. Google "LifeMiles account locked", I am not the first nor the last person to get locked for no discernible reason.
Lest I be accused of being a broker: my account was about a decade old, has made and flew multiple redemptions already, only booked for myself and have only ever paid for anything using credit cards in...
I suggest people beware of LifeMiles. At least use a credit card that has strong consumer protection/chargeback protection. Google "LifeMiles account locked", I am not the first nor the last person to get locked for no discernible reason.
Lest I be accused of being a broker: my account was about a decade old, has made and flew multiple redemptions already, only booked for myself and have only ever paid for anything using credit cards in my own name. aka it's about as far away from anything against TOS as possible.
I book Aeroplan the most, Avios 2nd, LifeMiles third. I prefer AAdvantage to all of them but the points are harder to acquire. LifeMiles is like a thrill ride. Last week I snagged ANA's The Suite for tonight, for 84k including a 6 hour "positioning" flight in Y. It would have been 112k as a nonstop but adding a segment lowered the cost significantly. Gotta love LifeMiles. All the shade (usually from people who book...
I book Aeroplan the most, Avios 2nd, LifeMiles third. I prefer AAdvantage to all of them but the points are harder to acquire. LifeMiles is like a thrill ride. Last week I snagged ANA's The Suite for tonight, for 84k including a 6 hour "positioning" flight in Y. It would have been 112k as a nonstop but adding a segment lowered the cost significantly. Gotta love LifeMiles. All the shade (usually from people who book more than a week before travel) may be true, for all I know. But for me it's irrelevant what flaws it has. I repeatedly find superior StarAlliance value by using LifeMiles instead of UA or AC points.
That’s awesome mate. Enjoy. My wife and daughter just flew the room from hnd to Ord and loved it.
Did you just search from x to y using the smart search? And got both flights in one booking?
I’m having trouble getting syd to Europe to show up with anything meaningful.
I searched the nonstop longhaul flights over and over. And over. Oneday one seat HND-JFK appeared. Guess how many seconds I waited to think about it, weigh the issues... So I immediately searched BKK-HND since I'd be originating in Bangkok. Y availability! Searched BKK-JFK and Blamo there it was: the fabled, world-renowned underpriced LifeMiles MCB Mixed Cabin Bargain. Bangkok to New York, including 12 hours of The Suite, for 84k and fifty bucks. I booked...
I searched the nonstop longhaul flights over and over. And over. Oneday one seat HND-JFK appeared. Guess how many seconds I waited to think about it, weigh the issues... So I immediately searched BKK-HND since I'd be originating in Bangkok. Y availability! Searched BKK-JFK and Blamo there it was: the fabled, world-renowned underpriced LifeMiles MCB Mixed Cabin Bargain. Bangkok to New York, including 12 hours of The Suite, for 84k and fifty bucks. I booked 10ish days ago and I begin the trip in 2 hours.
Bravo!!!! Such a good feeling
I have been using lifemiles for about 8 years now. Key is being flexible or book way advance on airlines like TAP, LOT or Turkish that release J space 11 months out. Their website is horrible. Just last month no lh,lx,os award spaces for about 5 weeks till they fixed it. I couldnt booked even Muc-Fra on LH when United was showing 6 flights available daily in all classes. Again, if you are flexible, it can work…
North and South Asia are now 47k in economy and 90k in business....been this way for a couple years now at least on most routes.
Great job! 3 Avianca posts in 24 hours. This is EXACTLY how you get them to devalue their award miles.
I’m looking at syd to Frankfurt next month in business. I see the legs via Frankfurt in business but I have to do a multi city booking for 128k miles on Thai Not sure why it can’t see it’s a syd to Frankfurt booking with a stopover.
I’d agree with most of what you have written Ben. Great for point to point redemptions. 40k miles for biz on Ana from syd to Tokyo is very cheap at 1.2c per mile.
Lately though I see United offering far more availability on Thai and Ana than lifemiles. I also don’t see aeroplan having this availability. Becoming a bit frustrating.
The problem with lifemiles is there seems to be a ton of phantom space or major technical issues with their app and website for open awards. I can do many searches across many of the partner airlines and Avianca and see availability but the minute I go to book it and get to the last step I get an error message. The phone agents & social media team have been no help at all which...
The problem with lifemiles is there seems to be a ton of phantom space or major technical issues with their app and website for open awards. I can do many searches across many of the partner airlines and Avianca and see availability but the minute I go to book it and get to the last step I get an error message. The phone agents & social media team have been no help at all which is a shame because I see so many post about how good it can be but from the large amount of similar issues reported on Flyertalk I know im not the only one.