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

One of the best ways to book first-class flights to Europe with points and miles just got a lot more expensive: Avianca’s LifeMiles program increased redemption rates by a whopping 50%.

As first reported by One Mile at a Time, the South American program has increased award rates without warning 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 (17% increase)
• Business class: From 63,000 miles to 70,000 miles (an increase of 11%)
• First Class: From 87,000 miles to 130,000 miles (50% increase)

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

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

LifeMiles is consistently one of the most affordable ways to book first class awards to Europe. While fellow Lufthansa Group airline Swiss does not offer transatlantic first class awards 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, which is beneficial for 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 to 120,000 miles on partner airlines such as All Nippon Airways. Availability on these flights is particularly scarce.

While a Colombian loyalty program might not be the first place you’d think of to redeem miles for flights to Europe, LifeMiles are easy to earn because the program is a 1:1 transfer partner with American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One and Citi ThankYou Rewards. According to TPG’s August 2024 valuations, LifeMiles will be worth 1.7 cents each.

The timing of this devaluation is particularly unfortunate, as Cardless recently launched two new Avianca-branded credit cards for U.S. residents. If you applied for this card with the plan to book a flight to Europe, you might have to settle for business class instead of first class with the expensive new fares.

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If you want to book Lufthansa First Class to experience the famous First Class terminal at Frankfurt Airport (FRA), your best option right now is to book through Air Canada’s Aeroplan program — also a multi-currency credit card transfer partner. 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, Aeroplan fares are 90,000 to 100,000 points, depending on where in North America you are flying from. This is a better deal than the 130,000 miles that Avianca LifeMiles currently charges.

In short

Devaluations are an unfortunate reality of earning and redeeming points and miles, and they are especially unpleasant when programs raise prices without notifying members. For years, LifeMiles was the most affordable way to book premium cabin flights with miles to Europe.

Fares for business class partners are comparable to other programs such as Aeroplan. For first class flights, it is better to book through Aeroplan.

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