Avianca LifeMiles

Use it for

• SWISS New York to Zurich business: 63,530 miles plus taxes and the USD 25 fee (54,010 was seen in July 2026)
• LOT business Toronto to Warsaw 63,000 miles or New York to Warsaw 69,000, plus taxes and USD 25
• Turkish business US East Coast to Istanbul: about 63,000 miles with no surcharges, against about USD 200 to 250 per direction through Turkish's own program
• Avianca business US to South America: about 33,000 to 47,000 miles by distance, plus taxes and USD 25

Do not use it for

• United flights: US to Europe business is 92,400 miles after April 2026, and United Polaris saver space is near zero for partners
• Lufthansa First: often quoted at 87,000 miles, but Lufthansa stopped releasing First to partner programs on 1 June 2026
• Speculative bookings: cancellation costs USD 50 to 200 and some awards are non-refundable

Where to search

On lifemiles.com use 'Use' then 'Airlines' and try all three modes (Smart Search, Star Alliance only, and a single carrier), because the same flight can price differently by search path (48,400 against 64,900 miles in one April 2026 example). The site shows less Star Alliance space than aeroplan.com or united.com and has phantom space, so cross-check there. seats.aero covers LifeMiles.

How to book, step by step

1. Open a LifeMiles account in your passport name well before you need it; new accounts can be held for identity checks, and some members were asked for passport and card copies.
2. Search before you transfer; you need miles only to book, not to search. Run Smart Search, Star Alliance only and the single-carrier search for the same date and note the lowest price.
3. Open the itinerary and confirm every segment is in business.
4. Go to the payment page and note the miles, taxes and the USD 25 booking fee.
5. Transfer Amex or Citi points (instant) or Capital One or Bilt (up to 48 hours). There are no holds, so slow transfers risk the seat.
6. Book. The confirmation shows a LifeMiles booking reference; look up the ticket number on the operating airline's site with that reference.
7. If the airline changes the schedule later, call LifeMiles to have the ticket reissued.

When you need to phone

Needed for schedule-change reissues and when the site fails. A community-reported US number is +1 866 919 0081 (option 2 for English, then 3 for LifeMiles); it is not on an official page we could read. Call center booking charges are reported, not confirmed.

Fees

Partner award booking fee USD 25 (AwardWallet lists USD 10 to 25). Change fee USD 150 (Frequent Miler) or USD 210 (AwardWallet). Cancel and redeposit USD 50 within one region, USD 200 across regions; some awards non-refundable. LifeMiles+ (Basic USD 50 a month, Lite USD 20) gives 10 percent off awards; its free changes and cancellations ended for new subscribers on 26 June 2026.

Surcharges

No carrier fuel surcharges on Star Alliance partner awards, including Lufthansa Group and SWISS; you pay government taxes plus the USD 25 fee.

Getting points in

US: Amex Membership Rewards 1:1 (instant), Citi ThankYou 1:1 (instant), Capital One 1:1, Bilt 1:1 (instant to 48 hours), Wells Fargo 1:1, Brex 1:1, Ramp 3:2. Marriott Bonvoy 3:1 with no 5,000 bonus, about 24 hours. India: HDFC 2:1. Chase does not transfer to LifeMiles.

Booking for other people

Standard members can book for anyone. Elite members can set up a family pool of up to 2 adults and 5 minors.