Lifemiles Award Rates to Europe Are Back to Lower Levels

Updated: April 24, 2025, 4:28pm CDT

Edited by:

Jump to Section

Table of Contents

LifeMiles Awards Are Down Again (With a Few Exceptions)
Final Thoughts

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.

LifeMiles, the loyalty program of Colombia-based Avianca, recently made award travel on partner airlines more expensive to some destinations, after devaluing its miles in 2024. But now, in an unexpected development, some of those award prices are back down to levels seen before the latest hike this year.

This is good news for travelers between the U.S. and Europe, which is where we’re seeing those lower award rates. Elsewhere, the number of LifeMiles required hasn’t changed.

Let’s see what this looks like in practice.

LifeMiles Awards Are Down Again (With a Few Exceptions)

Avianca’s LifeMiles program has long been a mainstay for booking award travel on airlines within the Star Alliance. That took a hit last year, when LifeMiles increased redemption rates, and again in 2025, when the program jacked up rates once again.

That’s part of a general trend towards higher prices in points and miles across all programs, but now LifeMiles — long known for its quirks — has pulled another trick: You can now find award rates to Europe lower than a few months ago, as first noticed by Thrifty Traveler.

This applies to redemptions between the U.S. and Europe on partners including Lufthansa and SWISS, according to the examples we could find on the LifeMiles site.

A year ago, business class across the Atlantic could be snagged for 63,000 LifeMiles. Then, the 2024 and 2025 devaluations brought that up to 80,000. Now, we’re seeing 69,000 LifeMiles: Worse than a year ago, but still a good redemption.

For example, this spring, you can fly from New York (JFK) to Munich (MUC) via Geneva (GVA) on Swiss for 69,000 LifeMiles and just $26.53 in taxes and fees. Prices are similar on Lufthansa on some days.

LifeMiles JFK GVA ZRH Redemption Swiss — 69,000 miles is a 14% decrease compared to the award price last month. Image Credit: LifeMiles

In economy class, a points fare from New York to Zurich (ZRH) is now just 27,500 LifeMiles with comparably low taxes and fees, an even bigger drop of 31% from the 40,000 LifeMiles needed with the latest hike.

You won’t, however, find the same situation when using LifeMiles to book United Airlines to Europe. In this case, the number of miles needed in economy and business class is still 40,000 and 80,000.

LifeMiles EWR FRA UA Redemption — Image Credit: United Airlines

An important difference is that on United and SWISS, you get a 1-2-1 layout in business class on every flight, while on Lufthansa, most planes still have a 2-2-2 cabin without direct aisle access for all passengers. Keep that in mind, especially when flying solo.

In Asia, we aren’t seeing that return to lower prices. Flying Air New Zealand from the U.S. or ANA business class to Japan still starts at 90,000 to 100,000 LifeMiles in business class.

Hot Tip:

LifeMiles is far from the only program you can use to book awards on Star Alliance airlines at favorable rates. Check out our article on the award programs you can use instead of LifeMiles.

Final Thoughts

LifeMiles may have uneven customer service and high fees for canceling an award ticket, but there’s one thing to be said for the program: It can deliver good surprises and sudden award-price hikes. We’ve just seen one of those positive changes happen, and if you are thinking of a European trip, LifeMiles should be on your points-and-miles radar.