Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

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

Ryan Smith's image
Ryan Smith
Ryan Smith's image

Ryan Smith

News Managing Editor

314 Published Articles 461 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 197U.S. States Visited: 50

Ryan completed his goal of visiting every country in the world in December of 2023 and now plans to let his wife choose their destinations. Over the years, he’s written about award travel for publicat...
Edited by: Stella Shon
Stella Shon's image

Stella Shon

Senior Features Editor

154 Published Articles 872 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 28U.S. States Visited: 30

With a degree in media and journalism, Stella has been in the points and miles game for more than 6 years. She most recently worked as a Corporate Communications Analyst for JetBlue. Find her work in ...
Jump to Section

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

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.

Ryan Smith's image

About Ryan Smith

Ryan completed his goal of visiting every country in the world in December of 2023 and now plans to let his wife choose their destinations. Over the years, he’s written about award travel for publications including AwardWallet, The Points Guy, USA Today Blueprint, CNBC Select, Tripadvisor, and Forbes Advisor.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy  and terms of service  apply.

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse
DMCA.com Protection Status