lifemiles

lifemiles

Loyalty program selling miles to partners

Overview

LifeMiles is Avianca’s loyalty and frequent flyer program that sells miles to consumers and a large partner network. Members earn miles through everyday spending with 550+ partners, including co-branded cards with banks in nine countries, hotels, and car rentals, then redeem them for flights on Avianca, Star Alliance partners, and other airlines, plus hotels and car rentals, with no fuel surcharges on award tickets. The program also offers LifeMiles+ for monthly bonus miles and discounts, along with a digital platform to manage accounts and buy miles. LifeMiles differentiates itself through a broad partner ecosystem, fuel-surcharge savings, and a structure that remains a separate company from Avianca to help withstand corporate reorganizations, with a goal to grow by expanding partnerships and redemption options and increasing mileage sales and loyalty revenue.

About lifemiles

Simplify's Rating
Why lifemiles is rated
B-
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Consumer Software

Enterprise Software

Fintech

Financial Services

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

Growth Equity (Venture Capital)

Total Funding

$343.7M

Headquarters

Santa Ana, Costa Rica

Founded

2011

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Plusgrade partnership (Jan 2024) optimizes Buy Miles revenue via predictive analytics and personalization.
  • U.S. credit card expansion with Amex and Cardless (2024–2025) accelerates member acquisition.
  • LifeMiles+ subscription (four tiers, $120+ annually) creates recurring revenue and member stickiness.

What critics are saying

  • Avianca's Chapter 11 legacy and high leverage threaten LifeMiles independence and redemption viability.
  • Cardless and Amex partnerships face churn if card economics deteriorate or regulatory pressure intensifies.
  • Star Alliance devaluation or partner exits collapse LifeMiles' core no-surcharge value proposition.

What makes lifemiles unique

  • No fuel surcharges on Star Alliance partner awards, unlike competitors like United MileagePlus.
  • Accepts transfers from 10+ loyalty programs including Amex, Citi, Capital One at 1:1 rates.
  • Miles don't expire with any qualifying activity within 12 months, including partner transfers.

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Funding

Total Funding

$343.7M

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

1 Rounds

Growth Equity VC funding comparison data is currently unavailable. We're working to provide this information soon!
Growth Equity VC Funding Comparison
Coming Soon

Benefits

Remote Work Options

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-3%

1 year growth

-2%

2 year growth

0%
The Points Guy
May 22nd, 2024
Is an Avianca LifeMiles+ subscription worth it?

In addition to launching two new Avianca-branded credit cards in the United States, LifeMiles has also unveiled a new loyalty subscription service named LifeMiles+.

Electronic Payments International
May 21st, 2024
Cardless, Avianca Airlines and LifeMiles partner to launch first US credit cards on American Express network

California-based fintech Cardless has partnered with Avianca Airlines' loyalty programme LifeMiles to launch two new credit cards in the US.

PR Newswire
Jan 25th, 2024
Plusgrade And Lifemiles Partner To Deliver Enhanced Revenue Streams And Deepen Lifemiles Member Engagement

This partnership signifies a strengthened commitment between Plusgrade and LifeMiles to deliver enhanced and critical ancillary revenue streams.LifeMiles will leverage Plusgrade's decades of loyalty expertise and strategic data insights to deepen engagement with LifeMiles members.Plusgrade's expanded footprint within South America signifies its sustained growth and reach within the global travel industry.MONTREAL, Jan. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Plusgrade , a leading provider of ancillary revenue solutions for the global travel industry, proudly announces a partnership with LifeMiles, Avianca´s frequent flyer and loyalty program. Avianca is the largest airline in Colombia and has more than 13 million LifeMiles members. The program will integrate Plusgrade's cutting-edge data science and predictive analytics to enhance member engagement when buying miles through targeted and personalized offers, accelerating LifeMiles members' journey to their reward goals.Now powered by Points, Plusgrade's loyalty business unit, the Buy Miles feature empowers LifeMiles members to expedite their reward journey by making a lump-sum purchase of miles, which can be redeemed immediately or for future travel. The demand for versatile options, like buying miles, isn't just a capability – it serves as a catalyst that propels airlines towards increasing ancillary revenue and building an expanded and engaged customer base."This partnership emphasizes our commitment to innovation and growth," said Ken Harris, Founder and CEO of Plusgrade. "We're excited to deliver strategic tools and member insights that will drive critical revenue for LifeMiles, empowering LifeMiles members to more deeply engage with the program."The evolving travel landscape highlights the need for flexibility, convenience and personalized tools that cater to the diverse needs of passengers

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