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Seeking to fly Swiss enterprise class to Europe? How a few lie-flat seat on United Polaris right down to Brazil? Or possibly you’d wish to strive Lufthansa First Class? Odds are, the easiest way to e-book these flights with factors and miles is utilizing Avianca LifeMiles.
It isn’t fairly excellent, however the LifeMiles program from Colombian airline Avianca is without doubt one of the greatest airline mileage applications on the planet if you happen to’re seeking to fly up entrance … regardless of the place you need to go. It expenses fewer miles to e-book first and enterprise class on Star Alliance carriers than virtually some other airline. And in contrast to some others, you will by no means pay a whole lot of {dollars} in extra charges when redeeming miles – actually, it is typically simply $50 or much less.
However the true fantastic thing about LifeMiles is simply how simple they’re to earn, even if you happen to by no means fly Avianca round South America. That is as a result of you possibly can switch factors to LifeMiles from playing cards just like the American Categorical® Gold Card, Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Card, or the Citi Premier® Card. Frequent switch bonuses make these bank card factors go even additional. And if you happen to want extra in a pinch, LifeMiles typically go on sale at steep reductions.
As with every nice deal, there are some tradeoffs. From a wonky web site to lackluster customer support, there are additionally a couple of issues it’s best to take into account when contemplating utilizing LifeMiles to e-book your flight.
However let’s take a look on the award chart and among the greatest candy spots when redeeming Avianca LifeMiles and you may even see that it is simply value these drawbacks.
Avianca LifeMiles Award Chart
If you happen to’ve by no means laid eyes on an award chart earlier than, it may be a bit daunting – particularly the Avianca LifeMiles Star Alliance award chart.
Consider it as a cheat sheet to know what number of miles it ought to price between two locations. Simply comply with the grid in your row over to the column of your vacation spot (or vice-versa) and you will have the reply.
One of the best offers from the U.S. are on long-haul worldwide flights in enterprise class. On its chart, Avianca simply lists the letter code for a saver stage award in every cabin: X for economic system, I for enterprise, and O is first. And this award chart hasn’t been up to date since Avianca elevated a lot of its award charges to Asia, so you may even see some discrepancies for sure areas.
To make issues (a bit) worse, Avianca has three separate zones inside the U.S. It lays out which states and nations fall inside every zone under the chart.
Some Routes Could Be Decrease Than Marketed
On most airways, award charts are legislation: The value you see on the award chart are the costs you will pay. However not with LifeMiles.
An attention-grabbing (and fruitful) quirk with LifeMiles is you can typically discover decrease charges than Avianca advertises in its award chart. As an example…
- Home U.S. flights are typically priced at 6,500 miles one-way even when they need to be 7,500.
- Financial system flights to Europe that ought to price 30,000 miles one-way are priced at 22,500 miles for sure routes like Denver (DEN) to Zurich (ZRH).
- And, the most effective pricing quirk of all: A enterprise class flight from New York Metropolis (JFK) to Lisbon (LIS) on TAP Air Portugal is simply 35,000 miles one-way … when it ought to be 63,000 miles based on the chart.
Combined-Cabin Awards
OK flying economic system on one leg and enterprise class on one other? Or enterprise class after which firstclass as a substitute of first all the way in which? That is the important thing to extra financial savings with LifeMiles.
These are referred to as mixed-cabin awards, and on most airways, you will merely pay the award charges of the very best service class. However not with LifeMiles: Avianca costs these mixed-cabin awards primarily based on the proportion of your complete journey you will be spending in every cabin.
So as an example you desire a enterprise class seat for the long-haul flight over to Europe, however do not care to spend the additional miles for many airways’ half-hazard “enterprise class” – economic system with the center seat blocked off, mainly – on flights inside Europe. If you happen to select to fly that short-haul flight in economic system, it can prevent some miles.
For instance, a flight from Boston (BOS) to Athens (ATH) with a connection in Lisbon ought to price 63,000 miles if you happen to do all of it in enterprise class. However if you happen to take the in a single day transatlantic flight in enterprise class and decide an economic system award for the daytime hop from Lisbon to Greece, it will price you simply 50,750 miles. Saving over 12,000 miles could possibly be properly value it on this case.
Award Gross sales
Avianca often has short-lived award gross sales, which low cost the usual award charges by a sure share. For instance, final December LifeMiles had a sale with as much as 40% off the common award charges on 50+ routes to Asia.
In fact, these additionally hinge on award availability, which implies you might not truly discover the costs they promote accessible – particularly for enterprise class. However you should not have an excessive amount of hassle discovering economic system awards for a reduction when Avianca has these gross sales. Take a look at the devoted offers web page to see if there are any present LifeMiles award gross sales.
Candy Spots Utilizing LifeMiles
Now that you recognize among the optimistic quirks of the LifeMiles program, let’s get straight to the candy spots. If you happen to’re flying to any of those locations, you will need to have LifeMiles in your radar.
Enterprise Class to Europe for 63K Miles (Or 20K in Financial system … Or Much less!)
Whether or not you are flying nonstop from the East Coast or on a connecting flight from the West Coast, you will by no means pay greater than 63,000 miles one-way for a enterprise class award to Europe with Avianca LifeMiles.
Even with one other stellar Star Alliance possibility like Air Canada Aeroplan, you might wind up utilizing way more miles because it’s primarily based on the space flown – however not with LifeMiles. Better of all, you possibly can fly Austrian Airways, Brussels Airways, Lufthansa, and Swiss and never get hit with the exorbitantly excessive money charges that you simply’d pay utilizing different Star Alliance Packages like ANA Mileage Membership or Turkish Airways Miles & Smiles.
Which means you possibly can e-book a nonstop flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Zurich (ZRH) flying fancy in Swiss enterprise class for simply 63,000 miles one-way and simply $50 or so in taxes and charges, when you add within the extra reserving payment of $25 to $35 on the ultimate reserving display screen.
Learn our full assessment of Swiss enterprise class!
United would cost 88,000 miles for this similar flight and it might be 70,000 factors if you happen to booked with Aeroplan. Turkish might cost a decrease mileage fee of 45,000 miles one-way, however the taxes and charges would complete round $800 one-way – or $1,700 roundtrip. You do not need to try this. As a substitute, keep on with LifeMiles for the most effective all-around fee plus money charges if you wish to e-book a Swiss Air flight from the West Coast to Europe.
If you happen to occur to be flying from the Northeast U.S. to northwestern Europe, it is even much less. It is because flights between the “United States 1” and “Europe 1” zones are simply 60,000 miles one-way for enterprise class or 20,000 one-way for economic system, like this nonstop Scandinavian Airways flight from Newark (EWR) to Copenhagen (CPH).
New York to Lisbon for 35K Miles One-Means in Enterprise
That is maybe the most effective candy spot of all.
Nonstop flights from New York Metropolis (JFK) to Lisbon (LIS) for simply 35,000 miles one-way in enterprise class. That is simply 5,000 miles greater than it will be to fly economic system! We’re undecided why it costs this fashion, however we’re not complaining. If you wish to fly to Portugal, that is the most affordable solution to get there in lie-flat seats.
Learn our full assessment of TAP Air Portugal enterprise class!
Sadly, it prices the conventional 63,000 miles on the return flight from Lisbon to New York – and the identical goes if you happen to depart from simply 30 miles away flying Newark (EWR) to Lisbon. Nonetheless, it is an unimaginable deal, and one that may simply be value utilizing a positioning flight to take benefit.
The Thrifty Traveler staff loves what Portugal has to supply and it is one of many least expensive locations to go to in Europe. Couple that with an affordable flight and you have got an reasonably priced European trip.
Brazil for 50K Miles Every Means in Enterprise Class
In search of a snug solution to fly right down to Brazil? Look no additional than utilizing LifeMiles to fly United Polaris enterprise class for simply 50,000 miles one-way.
Avianca LifeMiles is exclusive in that it separates Brazil from the remainder of South America. When you’ll sometimes pay 60,000 miles with different Star Alliance applications, it can save you 10,000 miles if you happen to e-book with LifeMiles.
Discovering the award availability might show tough, but when a seat opens up, you will be flying in fashion right down to Copacabana for much less.
Africa for 78K Miles Every Means in Enterprise Class
Whether or not you are flying to North Africa or South Africa, it is nonetheless simply 78,000 LifeMiles one-way for enterprise class.
In comparison with different applications which can cut up the continent into completely different areas or cost primarily based on the space flown, LifeMiles retains it easy and expenses a flat fee of 78,000 miles one-way.
Whereas it could not win awards for the fanciest enterprise class seats, Ethiopian Airways is usually the quickest solution to fly to Africa from its North American gateways. As an example, you might fly from Toronto (YYZ) to Cape City (CPT) with a cease in Addis Ababa (ADD) for 78,000 miles one-way in lie-flat enterprise class.
United would sometimes cost 88,000 miles to take the identical flights. It’s also possible to fly airways like Lufthansa or United, however you might have a tougher time discovering the accessible award area.
Hawaii to Japan for 48K Miles Every Means in Enterprise
Even after a huge devaluation for awards from the mainland U.S. to Asia, LifeMiles saved its stellar charges between Hawaii and North Asia intact.
Whereas it may be fewer miles to e-book a roundtrip flight to Japan with ANA Mileage Membership, utilizing Avianca LifeMiles permits you to e-book a a technique. However the most effective half is that you simply will not get hit with the excessive gasoline surcharges that ANA imposes if you happen to have been to e-book through ANA.
Utilizing LifeMiles, you might e-book a nonstop flight from Honolulu (HNL) to Tokyo (NRT) for simply 48,000 miles one-way plus ~$25 in taxes and charges. That is half what United now expenses to e-book the identical precise flights.
And if you will discover the area, you possibly can fly ANA First Class for simply 66,000 miles one-way. It’s also possible to e-book one-way flights on ANA for fewer miles through Virgin however you will get hit with gasoline surcharges there as properly.
This could be a enjoyable solution to go to each Hawaii and Japan on one journey. Simply e-book a low-cost flight to Hawaii after which use your miles to fly ANA enterprise class from Hawaii to Japan.
Lufthansa First Class for 87K Miles Every Means
Lastly, if you wish to fly Lufthansa First Class, there is not a less expensive solution to do it than redeeming 87,000 LifeMiles for a one-way flight.
The catch, after all, is that Lufthansa does not launch any firstclass award area to accomplice airways except it is inside simply two weeks or so of departure – and most frequently, you will not see any award area in any respect till just some days earlier than the flight. This implies you will must be a spontaneous traveler to reap the benefits of this deal.
If you happen to’re capable of take off with little discover, you possibly can e-book Lufthansa First Class for simply 87,000 miles one-way plus minimal taxes and charges.
And you will be in for a deal with. Check out that the unique Lufthansa First Class cabin …
Learn our full assessment of Lufthansa First Class!
Need to join elsewhere in Europe? It will get even cheaper, because of LifeMiles’ mixed-cabin award pricing and the truth that Lufthansa does not function firstclass inside Europe. Even with a comparatively quick flight inside the U.S. or in Europe, award charges typically drop to round simply 82,000 LifeMiles or much less.
Cons When Reserving with LifeMiles
As you possibly can see, you possibly can e-book some unimaginable offers with Avianca LifeMiles. The flip aspect of that’s that the LifeMiles program might be some of the infuriating frequent flyer applications with regards to a functioning web site and customer support.
Listed here are the details to remember if you’re contemplating reserving with LifeMiles:
- Wonky web site/IT points: You have to create an account and log in to seek for awards with LifeMiles. And when you do, you might encounter a number of errors whereas looking for flights. The web site typically occasions out and you will have to reload or signal out utterly and signal again in. You may have to pack your endurance when reserving with LifeMiles.
- Much less availability than different Star Alliance applications: If you happen to’re looking out United’s website to seek out award availability, you will often see that it doesn’t match what is definitely accessible when reserving with LifeMiles. This implies you might have to show to a different program that may truly e-book the award area if you cannot discover it bookable with Avianca LifeMiles.
- Poor customer support: If issues go incorrect otherwise you need to make any adjustments to your journey, there is no such thing as a method to do that on-line … and making an attempt to work with an Avianca agent over the cellphone could be a painful expertise. Anticipate to attend on maintain and clarify your self a number of occasions if you must converse to an agent over the cellphone.
- Change/Cancellation charges: Whereas many different frequent flyer applications at the moment are permitting free adjustments or the power to cancel your journey for a full refund of your miles, Avianca nonetheless expenses a $150 change payment and $200 cancellation payment for award tickets.
- Cannot e-book stopovers: Many different Star Alliance applications will let you embrace stopovers when reserving an award flight. This isn’t allowed when reserving flights with LifeMiles.
- Miles expire: One of the vital issues to remember is that your Avianca LifeMiles have an expiration date. You may have to accrue some miles no less than as soon as each 12 months to maintain your miles energetic. Formally, transferring factors from a bank card does not fulfill this requirement, however it’s labored for some vacationers up to now. As a normal rule, you should not hoard any miles and solely switch while you’re able to e-book. Nevertheless, if you must cancel a visit and also you’re caught with a steadiness of LifeMiles, you will need to hold the expiration date in thoughts.
Tips on how to E-book Flights with LifeMiles
It is pretty simple to e-book a flight on-line with LifeMiles however there are a couple of quirks you might need to know.
First issues first, you will possible need to hunt down award availability utilizing Star Alliance accomplice United’s award search first. Then, plug within the precise dates you discovered on United’s web site into LifeMiles’ search engine to e-book.
When you’re able to e-book, you possibly can use this hyperlink to take you on to the LifeMiles reserving web page or navigate there by clicking “Journey” on the prime of the web page after logging in to your LifeMiles account.
Simply enter your route, the entire variety of passengers touring, and which class of journey you are seeking to e-book. Then, click on the blue arrow on the correct. You may select your dates throughout the next step.
Avianca’s calendar does not present any fares so it is simply there to decide on your dates. It typically highlights sure dates in blue however this is not an correct solution to decide availability. As a substitute, select dates the place you discovered availability on United’s web site and you will have higher luck.
After you choose a date, you possibly can then filter the outcomes by airline, variety of stops, time of day, and kind by a lot of parameters. If you happen to see the flights you need to e-book, switch factors to your LifeMiles account and proceed the reserving course of.
If you happen to do not see the flights you are searching for from the default “Good Search” device, you might need to strive selecting the particular airline you are making an attempt to e-book from the dropdown menu earlier than you begin your preliminary search. This may typically unearth award availability that the so-called “Good Search” misses.
Tips on how to Earn Avianca LifeMiles
When you can earn LifeMiles by flying Avianca or Star Alliance companions, you don’t have to with a view to acquire a ton of miles. Since you possibly can switch factors earned with bank cards or just purchase miles for an important fee throughout a promotion, it’s tremendous simple to earn sufficient LifeMiles to your subsequent journey.
We will’t say sufficient good issues concerning the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card. It’s the financial institution’s very first premium card and it’s loaded with advantages such entry to Capital One Lounges and Precedence Move lounges, a $300 annual journey credit score, a credit score for World Entry or TSA PreCheck, nice journey and rental automotive insurance coverage safety, and extra. The annual payment clocks in at $395 a 12 months, however the advantages can simply outweigh that.
One of the best half is you can presently earn 75,000 Enterprise Miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months. Contemplating you earn no less than 2x for each greenback you spend on the Enterprise X Card, you’ll earn a complete of no less than 83,000 Enterprise Miles, which might be transferred immediately to 83,000 LifeMiles. That alone is almost sufficient to fly Lufthansa First Class to Europe.
Click on Right here to be taught extra concerning the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card.
The American Categorical® Gold Card is presently providing a 60,000-point welcome bonus after spending $4,000 within the first six months. And also you might be able to qualify for a whopping 75,000-point welcome bonus utilizing CardMatch.
Past that bonus, this card is well one of many greatest all-around journey playing cards available on the market thanks largely to an unbeatable 4x return on an infinite quantity of spending at eating places and 4x factors on as much as $25,000 a 12 months spent at U.S. supermarkets – and 1x factors after that.
Click on Right here to be taught extra concerning the American Categorical Gold Card.
The Citi Premier® Card is one other nice solution to earn factors that may be transferred to LifeMiles. You’ll earn 3x factors at eating places, supermarkets, gasoline stations, and for journey booked with the cardboard. Plus, there’s a 60,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 inside the first three months.
Click on Right here to be taught extra concerning the Citi Premier Card.
Shopping for LifeMiles Throughout Promos
Many airways will let you purchase miles, although it is not often a very good deal. Avianca LifeMiles is considered one of a couple of notable exceptions.
Whereas the usual fee to purchase miles shouldn’t be favorable, Avianca is continually working promotions to earn bonus miles while you buy miles – typically as much as 175%. These are sometimes tiered bonuses the place you will obtain the next bonus the extra miles you purchase. As an example, this earlier bonus of as much as 145%.
So with a view to get the 126,000 miles required for a roundtrip enterprise class award to Europe, it will solely price you $1,716.
Even with enormous bonuses, shopping for miles does not all the time make sense. However there is not any query that is a discount in comparison with what it will price to e-book a enterprise class flight with money. And you are able to do it with none factors to your title. Simply purchase the LifeMiles you want and e-book the award.
Backside Line
There’s some unimaginable worth with LifeMiles. Whether or not you need to fly enterprise class to Europe, Africa, or Brazil, you will discover a deal when reserving the flight with LifeMiles – particularly since you will not be subjected to excessive money charges on prime of your miles.
However it does include some drawbacks to contemplate if you happen to assume you will have to make any adjustments or cancel your journey. Nonetheless, with a number of switch companions and frequent prospects to get much more via switch bonuses or offers on buying miles, remember about this slightly obscure program when reserving your subsequent award flight.