Avianca LifeMiles increases prices of all awards to Europe by up to 50%

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One of the best ways to book first-class flights to Europe with points and miles has just become much more expensive: Avianca's LifeMiles program increased redemption rates overnight by up to 50%.

As first reported by One Mile at a Time, the South America-based program has, without warning, increased award rates for flights operated by Star Alliance partner airlines from North America to Europe as follows:

• Economy class: From 30,000 miles to 35,000 miles (up by 17%)
• Business class: From 63,000 miles to 70,000 miles (up by 11%)
• First class: From 87,000 miles to 130,000 miles (up by 50%)

The LifeMiles program has not yet updated its partner award chart, which still shows the previous mileage rates, but searches for current availability show higher prices.

The increases to economy- and business-class redemption rates on partner airlines — like Swiss, Air Canada, United Airlines and Austrian Airlines — are mild and still represent good value compared with other programs, especially as the program does not impose fuel surcharges. However, the first-class rate increase is extreme.

LifeMiles has consistently been one of the best-value ways to book first-class awards to Europe. While fellow Lufthansa Group airline Swiss does not make transatlantic first-class awards available to Europe, Lufthansa has consistently opened up first-class seats to partners within 14 days of departure. Note that most seats are released 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 miles to 120,000 miles on partner airlines like All Nippon Airways; availability on these flights is exceptionally hard to come by.

While a Colombian loyalty program might not be the first place you would think of to redeem miles for flights to Europe, LifeMiles are easy to earn as 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 devaluation is especially unfortunate, given that Cardless recently launched two new Avianca-branded credit cards for U.S. residents. If you had applied for this card with the plan to book a flight to Europe, you may have to settle for business class rather than first class with the pricey new rates.

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If you are looking to book Lufthansa's first class to experience the famous first-class terminal in Frankfurt Airport (FRA), your best option now is to book through Air Canada's Aeroplan program — also a transfer partner of multiple credit card currencies. Business-class awards on partner airlines like Lufthansa to Europe cost 60,000 points from the U.S. East Coast or 70,000 points from the Midwest and West Coast, similar to LifeMiles rates.

For first-class awards to Europe, the Aeroplan rates are 90,000 to 100,000 points, depending on where in North America you originate. This is a better deal than the 130,000 miles that Avianca LifeMiles now charges.

Bottom line

Devaluations are an unfortunate reality of earning and redeeming points and miles, and they are especially unpleasant when programs increase prices without notifying members. LifeMiles had for years been the best-value way to book premium-cabin flights with miles to Europe.

Now, the business-class partner rates are similar to those of other programs like Aeroplan; for first-class flights, it is better to consider booking through Aeroplan instead.

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