Avianca LifeMiles is increasing the value of all awards to Europe by 50%

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

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

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

The LifeMiles program has not updated the partner award chart, it still shows previous mileage rates, but searching for current availability shows higher rates.

The increase in economy and business class redemption rates on our partner airlines – such as Swiss, Air Canada, United Airlines and Austrian Airlines – are modest and still represent a good value compared to other programs, especially since the program does not charge a fuel penalty. However, the increase in the rate of the first phase is excessive.

LifeMiles has always been one of the most valuable ways to book first class awards in Europe. Although Swiss airline Lufthansa Group does not make transatlantic first-class awards available in Europe, Lufthansa has been opening premium seats for partners within 14 days of departure. Note that many seats are released within a few days of departure, with preference given to those who can book at the last minute.

The program also increased the price of first class awards from North America to Asia from 90,000 miles to 120,000 miles on partner airlines such as All Nippon Airways; Availability on these flights is very hard to come by.

While Colombia’s loyalty program may not be the first place you think of to redeem airline miles to Europe, LifeMiles is easy to earn as the program is a 1:1 transfer partner for American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One and Citi ThankYou Rewards. According to TPG figures for August 2024, LifeMiles cost 1.7 cents each.

The timing of this price drop is particularly unfortunate, as Cardless recently introduced two Avianca-branded credit cards to US residents. If you applied for this card through a flight booking system to Europe, you may have to upgrade to business class instead of first class at the new expensive rates.

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If you’re looking to book Lufthansa first class to enjoy the famous first class terminal at Frankfurt Airport (FRA), the best thing to do now is to book through Air Canada’s Aeroplan program — also a credit card currency transfer partner. Business class awards on partner airlines like Lufthansa to Europe cost 60,000 points from the US East Coast or 70,000 points from the Midwest and West Coast, similar to LifeMiles standards.

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

Bottom line

Price drops are an unfortunate reality of earning and redeeming points and miles, and it’s especially unpleasant when programs raise prices without notifying members. LifeMiles has for years been the best value way to book premium-cabin flights with miles to Europe.

Now, the rates for business class partners are similar to those of other programs such as Aeroplan; for first class flights, you should consider booking with Aeroplan instead.

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