Colombia's Avianca runs one of the more underrated loyalty programs in the Star Alliance — and one of the most frustrating. Lifemiles can get you transatlantic business class for around 59,500 miles one way or a Miami-to-Bogota flight for under 10,000 miles, all without the fuel surcharges that programs like Lufthansa's Miles & More pile on. The catch: you'll need patience with a glitchy website and customer service that can be hit or miss.

Earning miles is straightforward. Flying Avianca earns 3 to 10 miles per dollar depending on fare class, and partner flights on United, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Iberia and Gol can be credited too. The real leverage comes from transfers: American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One, Bilt and Wells Fargo all move points at 1:1, and Avianca runs regular sales on purchased miles — historically as low as 1.2 cents each, well below most valuations.

The sweet spots are worth knowing. Nonstop US-to-Europe business class has been found from 59,500 miles each way. Longer US domestic flights, like Newark to San Francisco, cost just 15,000 miles in economy — solid value for a six-hour flight. To Asia, one-way Seattle-Taipei on EVA Air has been spotted at 41,140 miles in economy or 83,200 in business.

Before you transfer anything, though, know the quirks. Lifemiles sometimes shows seats that turn out to be unbookable ('phantom' award space), changes award prices without notice, and charges a fee to redeposit miles if you cancel. Confirm your exact itinerary is bookable first. Miles also expire after 12 months of inactivity — though any earning activity resets the clock.

There's also Lifemiles+, a paid subscription that refunds 10% of the miles on eligible Star Alliance redemptions. If you're booking a big family award north of 200,000 miles, it can pay for itself. Two US credit cards round out the ecosystem, including a $249-fee Amex Elite that throws in Avianca Silver status and a 10% rebate on Star Alliance redemptions.

Who is this for? Points enthusiasts with some experience — the savings are real, but the rough edges mean beginners might be happier with Aeroplan or MileagePlus. If you're flexible on dates and cities and willing to double-check everything before committing miles, Lifemiles is one of the few programs that still combines low award rates with near-zero extra fees.

Story via The Points Guy.