Spend LifeMiles Before the Price Goes Up

September 2014
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LifeMiles, the loyalty program of Star Alliance partner Avianca, is a big seller of miles—and in more ways than one. See a detailed report on the lucrative LifeMiles opportunities for travelers the world over.

The Columbia-based program offers a much better mileage-award cost structure than its partner United for Star Alliance award travel to/from Africa, Asia, Europe, Hawaii, and the Middle East, as well as southern South America.

The Bad News: As we announced in a July 29 alert, LifeMiles is bumping the price of award travel on Star Alliance partners by up to 20% as of Oct.15. Consider spending your miles soon if you have any plans in the mix.

The Good News: Even after the Oct. 15 increase, LifeMiles’ Buy Miles to Fly in Style strategy still has a much better mileage-award cost than using United miles for a Star Alliance award. (See sample chart below.)

Comparing Rates for Star Alliance Partner Travel: LifeMiles vs. United—After the Increase

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[["Between","Class","Star Alliance Award Cost","#colspan#","Savings with LifeMiles"],["#rowspan#","#rowspan#","LifeMiles*","United","#rowspan#"],["North America and Europe","Business","126,000","140,000","<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">14,000 \/ 10%<\/span>"],["#rowspan#","First","174,000","220,000","<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">46,000 \/ 21%<\/span>"],["North America and Northern or Southern Africa","First","210,000","260,000","<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">50,000 \/ 19%<\/span>"],["North America and Central Asia","First","222,000","280,000","<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">58,000 \/ 21%<\/span>"],["North America and North Asia","First","180,000","240,000","<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">60,000 \/ 25%<\/span>"],["North America and South Asia","First","198,000","260,000","<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">62,000 \/ 24%<\/span>"],["North America and the Middle East","First","210,000","280,000","<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">70,000 \/ 25%<\/span>"]]
<small><em>*As of Oct. 15, take 10% to 20% off if you can book between now and then.</em></small>