LifeMiles is an incredibly useful Star Alliance frequent flyer program, and one of my favorite programs for redeeming miles. Fortunately the miles are easy to accrue, between LifeMiles’ frequent promotions on buying miles, plus the program partnering with major transferable points currencies.
LifeMiles has a special redemption promotion right now for OMAAT readers, which I think some people will find to be useful…
In this post:
Save 10% on LifeMiles award redemptions
Between December 14 and December 28, 2023, LifeMiles is offering a promotion on purchased miles. The program is now incentivizing purchasing miles in a unique way.
OMAAT readers who register can receive 10% of their redeemed miles back if they purchase any number of miles with the current promotion. As you’d expect, there are some terms to be aware of:
- You’re eligible for this as long as you purchase some number of miles with the current offer that’s available December 14 through December 28, 2023
- You can then receive 10% of miles on all awards that you book by December 28, 2023; this promotion applies both for travel on Star Alliance partners and Avianca
- The awards must be for travel between February 1 and May 31, 2024
- You can receive the 10% of miles back on multiple redemptions, as long as all eligible travel is during that period
- It’s fine if you’ve already purchased miles during this promotion period and redeemed them, as long as you register at this link
For example, if you bought 1,000 miles with the current promotion and then registered at this link:
- If you on December 25 redeem 63,000 LifeMiles for a TAP Air Portugal business class award from the United States to Europe for travel on April 1, you’d get 6,300 miles back a week after your trip is completed
- If you on December 28 redeem 40,000 LifeMiles for an All Nippon Airways economy award from the United States to Japan for travel on May 1, you’d get 4,000 miles back a week after your trip is completed
Others are of course free to share this link as well. For the record, I’m not getting any sort of a kickback from LifeMiles, but rather I’m just happy to be able to offer value to readers.
Basics of LifeMiles’ promotion on buying miles
As mentioned above, through December 28, 2023, LifeMiles is offering a promotion on buying miles. Different members are being targeted for different offers, though it appears that the most common offers are for a bonus of up to 150-175%. LifeMiles ordinarily charges 3.3 cents per mile, meaning that:
- With a 150% bonus, you’d pay 1.32 cents per mile
- With a 175% bonus, you’d pay 1.2 cents per mile
These are really attractive prices, given LifeMiles’ excellent redemption rates on Star Alliance partner airlines. Of course with this promotion there could be value in just picking up 1,000 miles, so that you can then unlock a bigger discount on redemptions.
Bottom line
Not only is LifeMiles currently offering up to a 175% bonus on purchased miles, but the program is also offering OMAAT readers who register a 10% redemption discount.
Admittedly this comes with some terms — you need to actually redeem by December 28, 2023, and need to travel between February 1 and May 31, 2024, and then you’ll receive the miles back about a week after travel. There’s a lot of value to be had here, if you’re able to plan travel for next year.
Anyone plan to take advantage of this LifeMiles award sale?
In the terms it says book "through December 31st, 2023", but in the post the booking time is December 28th. I am wondering which one is accurate.
Cool, they'll give back some of the 40% that they jacked rates to Asia!
I have found that business class redemptions at the website have basically evaporated, except sometimes on Lufthansa/Swiss/Austrian. No business class on United. I would like to know whether others have had more success with business class bookings, and how. I regard these miles as essentially orphaned, like Delta Skymiles.
Your post says you can earn miles back on any award until Dec 28, 2024 but it appears the website says the redemption must be made by Dec 31 of this year?
same question!
I used to spend lots of Money purchasing LifeMiles,
Had some real good Business/First class redemptions over the years.
Times have changed,and those days are long gone.
Lifemiles is not a program I would advise investing you cash into.
The program has gone completely down hill, and has little value any longer, and is very frustrating to work with.
It is unfortunate, but True....
Buyer beware!
My experience for the past couple of years has been completely opposite of yours. Unless of course if you are looking to go to Australia in Biz. I have a family of 5 and have been able to go to Europe, Middle East and the subcontinent in Biz multiple times.
You just have to take what you can get and not be picky. Flexibility is the key. Their phone support has gotten so much...
My experience for the past couple of years has been completely opposite of yours. Unless of course if you are looking to go to Australia in Biz. I have a family of 5 and have been able to go to Europe, Middle East and the subcontinent in Biz multiple times.
You just have to take what you can get and not be picky. Flexibility is the key. Their phone support has gotten so much better in my experience. I have called them about 6 or 7 times in the past couple of months and have always connected with a rep right away. Not just that but I have found the reps to be courteous, respectful and proficient.
I wouldn’t say the program has gone downhill.
You can buy the miles but there is no available award reservation.
Does this apply for previously booked flight on Lifemiles for the flying window if I buy a few miles today via the link?
From what I understand, only awards that are redeemed between the 14th and 28th of December will qualify for the miles-back (given you buy 2-for-1 miles and also register via the link)