Avianca’s LifeMiles program recently introduced notable increases in redemption costs for a variety of popular routes, further impacting travelers who rely on points and miles for booking flights. Just six months after a significant rise in mileage requirements for routes to Europe, Avianca has again raised the stakes. The most recent changes affect flights operated by Star Alliance partners including United Airlines, EVA Airways, and All Nippon Airways, with no prior notice given to members. This development mainly sees hikes in mileage requirements for routes to Europe, Asia, Australia, and domestic flights within the U.S., while leaving first-class redemptions untouched for now. Such adjustments pose a challenge for travelers who have accumulated LifeMiles with the expectation of redeeming them at previously understood rates.

For flights to Europe, economy class redemptions have risen from 35,000 miles to 40,000 miles one-way, plus taxes and fees, reflecting a 14% increase. Business class rates have similarly jumped by 15%, from 70,000 to 80,000 miles one-way. Asia routes show a steeper increase, with economy rates climbing 18% and business class 11%. The increases are even starker for flights to Australia and New Zealand, where economy has soared by 38% and business class by 25%. Meanwhile, on domestic fronts, certain one-way economy flights with United now cost between 10,000 to 15,000 miles, marking a significant bump from past rates. These newly adjusted figures highlight a broader trend of mileage devaluation, subtly urging travelers to rethink their redemption strategies in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of loyalty programs.

Avianca Airlines terminal

Our Take

This unexpected hike in redemption costs by the Avianca LifeMiles program undoubtedly raises concerns for frequent travelers. While increases in program costs are an inevitable reality, the lack of foresight or transparency provided to members leaves much to be desired. For travelers leveraging points and miles, particularly through partners like Avianca, this situation reaffirms the importance of exercising vigilance and foresightedness in managing and redeeming points. The suddenness of these hikes without member forewarning reflects a trend of diminishing strategic value in keeping and relying solely on airline loyalty programs for point redemptions.

Despite this, LifeMiles maintains some redeeming features—flexibility through alliance partnerships and its ease of mile accumulation via transferable points. Travelers should consider leveraging alternative programs like Air Canada’s Aeroplan, known for offering competitive rates on award flights. Diversifying points and maintaining flexibility in allocation across programs can hedge against sudden devaluations and maximize travel benefits.