Last December Avianca’s LifeMiles (one of the unknown frequent flyer programs you should pay attention to) offered triple miles on purchased miles for one day only. They offered it again in May. It was a targeted promotion, but several people who called were able to successfully take advantage of the offer that hadn’t been targeted for it.

GlobetrotterHQ reports that this offer is back through December 4. Again, this appears targeted, but some may find it worth calling to try to take advantage of even if they didn’t receive an email about the offer (and hang up, call back).

Here’s the Google translate of the terms of the offer:

Applies only to members who have received this email. This promotion is available in LifeMiles.com, POS or Call Center Avianca Avianca. For residents of Colombia, is available only through LifeMiles.com and Call Center. For residents of Venezuela and Argentina, is available only through LifeMiles.com. This promotion applies to mileage purchase made between November 19 and December 19, 2014 as the last date of purchase. LifeMiles minimum purchase per transaction: LM 1000. Maximum purchase per transaction LifeMiles: LM 75,000. Maximum LifeMiles to purchase per member per calendar year: LM 150,000 (including bonuses purchase of promotional miles). Miles must be purchased in multiples of 1,000. Maximum number of transactions per member during the term of the promotion: 1 transaction. In LifeMiles.com purchase can only be made through the WIN / LifeMiles Buy option. Not applicable Flexible payment option (miles more money) during the redemption payment flow of air tickets. Each package of 1,000 miles at a cost of USD 38.94, including taxes of each country *. For residents in Colombia, 1,000 miles each package retails for USD 33. The values are settled in the TRM rate Colombians date of the transaction pesos. For residents in Peru, 1,000 miles each package is priced at USD 38.94 or S / .111.8. including tax. Reference exchange to October 1, 2014: S /. 1 USD 2.87 per dollar. Residents of Costa Rica, 1,000 miles each package retails for $ 33 plus applicable taxes. Values are settled at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of the transaction. only payment in LifeMiles.com and Avianca Call Center: credit or debit card internationally. Cash payments only POS Avianca. * Price per block of thousand miles may vary by channel and country of purchase. Other conditions. Applies only to affiliate partners program before November 19, 2014. The receipt of the transaction will reflect the total miles credited to the member’s account, including the bonus miles and the total charge for the transaction. The miles purchases and additional miles do not apply to ascend to elite status. The amount paid for the purchase of miles is not refundable. Miles are non-endorsable. Purchased miles, once accredited, may be redeemed according to the conditions specified in the Terms and Conditions LifeMiles Programme and the portfolio of products and services available for redemption. * Price per block of thousand miles may vary by channel and country of purchase. Terms and Conditions apply LifeMiles. LifeMiles is a registered trademark of LifeMiles Corp.

When Avianca joined Star Alliance I declared their program the most generous in the alliance. They are part of my “Devaluation Plan B” which is to look to international frequent flyer programs for value if and when US programs devalue further.

There are no fuel surcharges, they offer one-way awards many of which are priced reasonably, and as with this offer they sell miles cheap. They also offer ‘cash and points’ which means that as long as you have 40% of the miles needed for an award you can buy the rest at the time of redemption.

That said, their call centers are frustrating (if you can wait a day for a reply, they’re better over e-mail) and they don’t permit “mixed cabin” redemption — so if you are redeeming a transatlantic business class award, all segments need to be in business class (including domestic US flights, and intra-Europe flights). And the award chart isn’t as good as it once was.

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