Some LifeMiles Award Rates Have Increased by Nearly 50%, But Others Are Cheaper

Updated: August 13, 2024, 12:56pm CDT

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Avianca LifeMiles Devaluation
Some Avianca LifeMiles Awards Weren’t Impacted
Some Award Flights Are Now Cheaper
Final Thoughts

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Avianca LifeMiles has unfortunately devalued its award program. Not all flights were affected, to be clear. However, on routes where prices went up, some awards now cost 50% more.

Here’s a look at what’s changed — and what hasn’t.

Avianca LifeMiles Devaluation

As a Star Alliance airline, Avianca‘s award program has been a favorite for its low taxes and fees on redemptions with partners like Lufthansa, SWISS, and ANA — especially in premium cabins. Previously, you could redeem 30,000 LifeMiles to fly from the U.S. to Europe in economy, 63,000 miles for business class; and 87,000 miles in first class.

Now, unfortunately, you’ll pay 35,000 miles per person in economy (17% more expensive), 70,000 each in business (11% more expensive), and 130,000 in first class (49% more expensive). This pricing is clearly visible on a Lufthansa redemption from Washington, D.C. to Munich.

LifeMiles IAD MUC Lufthansa first class redemption — 130,000 miles per person in first class is the new cost. Image Credit: Avianca

But awards to Europe aren’t the only flights with increased costs. Previously, you could redeem 90,000 LifeMiles for ANA first class between Chicago (ORD) and Tokyo (NRT). Now, you’ll pay 120,000 miles each — a 33% price increas).

LifeMiles redemption ORD NRT ANA first class — 33% more expensive? Yuck. Image Credit: Avianca LifeMiles

Hot Tip:

Whether you’re trying to book ANA first class or book Lufthansa first class, we can show you the best ways to do so with points and miles.

Some Avianca LifeMiles Awards Weren’t Impacted

That said, ANA first-class pricing didn’t go up on flights from Hawaii. Flights between Hawaii and northern Asia still show their previous costs. You’ll pay 27,500 miles per passenger in economy, 48,000 each in business, and 66,000 miles apiece in first class.

LifeMiles redemption HNL NRT ANA first class — This is the same pricing we’re used to. Image Credit: Avianca

Some Award Flights Are Now Cheaper

Last year, I flew with Avianca from Los Angeles to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. At the time, I paid 29,500 miles plus $28.20 in economy. Now, that same award costs 23,550 miles plus $33.20 — 5,950 miles less but with an increase of $5 in fees. That’s a 20% reduction in cost, which is rare to see, and the pricing applies to every date we checked.

LifeMiles redemption Avianca LAX VVI — That’s cheaper than I paid a year ago. Image Credit: Avianca

Moreover, Avianca’s flights to Northern Europe (think Scandinavia or the British Isles) are now cheaper in business class. Formerly, you’d pay 60,000 miles per person to fly in United Polaris business class. Now, you’ll pay just 45,000 miles apiece — a 25% price reduction.

LifeMiles redemption EWR LHR United Polaris — Cheaper business class for the win! Image Credit: Avianca

Final Thoughts

Overall, Avianca has devalued its award program, significantly increasing the number of miles you’ll pay for awards departing the U.S. for Europe or Asia. The silver lining here is that awards departing Hawaii didn’t get more expensive, and certain flights to South America in Northern Europe on Avianca may be cheaper.