Learning to Love LifeMiles | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep257 | 5-31-24
May 31, 2024
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Podcast discusses the love for LifeMiles, Hilton card bonuses, Southwest on Google Flights, Finnair Avios combining, Avianca LifeMiles cards, sweet-spots with hidden fares, searching for awards, downsides, and quadruple dip opportunities with Hilton Curio Collection hotels.
Avianca LifeMiles offer easy acquisition through transfer bonuses and credit cards for cost-effective collection.
LifeMiles Plus subscription provides benefits like rebates and flexible changes to enhance travel planning.
LifeMiles award prices vary by region and cabin, with attractive deals like JFK to Lisbon in business class.
Despite pricing anomalies, travelers should consider flight availability and routes for practical use of Avianca LifeMiles.
Deep dives
Getting Life Miles Easily
Avianca Life Miles are really easy to acquire through transfer bonuses and sales. Various credit cards allow one-to-one transfers, and there are frequent 10%-25% transfer bonuses, especially from Citi. This accessibility makes collecting Life Miles convenient and cost-effective.
Enhanced Flexibility with Life Miles Plus Subscription
The Life Miles Plus subscription offers a range of benefits, including a 10% rebate on award redemptions and up to 25% discount on some flights. The subscription levels vary, with the basic level providing free changes and cancellations if made 72 hours in advance. This feature adds flexibility to travel plans and can be cost-effective for frequent award bookings.
Avianca Life Miles Award Prices
Avianca Life Miles award prices vary depending on regions and cabins. Prices for flights within the United States range from 7,500 to 12,500 miles in economy and 15,000 to 25,000 miles in business class. For international flights, popular routes like JFK to Lisbon offer exceptional value at 35,000 miles in business class one way. There are other hidden sweet spots with fluctuating prices, making Avianca Life Miles a valuable option for certain routes and regions.
Pricing Anomalies and Best Deals
Avianca Life Miles offer enticing pricing anomalies and best deals, especially for flights from New York JFK to Lisbon and other European destinations at lower than standard award prices. While these pricing anomalies may lack predictability and consistency, they provide excellent opportunities to maximize value when booking certain routes, particularly in business class. Exploring different airports and routes can reveal additional hidden sweet spots with reduced award pricing, making Avianca Life Miles a competitive option for savvy travelers.
Considerations and Alternatives
Despite the attractive aspects of Avianca Life Miles, travelers should consider factors like flight availability and specific routes in determining the practicality of using these miles. While the Life Miles Plus subscription offers valuable benefits like rebates and flexibility, it's essential to assess individual travel patterns and needs to make informed decisions. Comparing alternative programs like Air Canada Aeroplan can also provide cost-effective and flexible redemption options, depending on travel preferences and destinations.
Ambiguity in Points Earning
It is uncertain whether booking nights through the Chase editing program and the American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts program will result in property credits from both programs. While it seems possible, it may vary by hotel and stay.
Availability Differences in Booking Platforms
The Chase Edit program featured fewer properties compared to the American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts program, especially in cities like Las Vegas and Dubai. The edit seemed to include resort fees in its pricing, providing the option to pay full taxes and fees with points at 1.5 cents per point.
Exploring Elite Nights and Points Earning
The availability of earning hotel loyalty points with bookings through the edit platform seems to vary by hotel chain and may not be consistent across all properties. Ongoing testing and experiences from users will shed more light on the possibility of earning points and elite nights for stays booked through the Chase Edit program.
Nick has loved LifeMiles for a long time but Greg has traditionally been less convinced. Recent changes make Greg curious to hear more about Nick's long-time love of LifeMiles. Can Nick convince Greg to become a fan?
(01:33) - On Ep 255: Strategizing Hilton cards, credits, and free nights, Greg’s podcasted plan left people with questions about family language for Hilton cards (Mailbag)
