Lifemiles launching AMEX cards issued by First Electronic Bank

[ExGingi]

Just noticed this email:

Terms and Conditions:

*Offers subject to credit approval and to change, with or without notice. Offers open to United States residents only. Additional terms apply. American Express is a registered trademark of American Express and is used by the issuer pursuant to a license. Cards are issued by First Electronic Bank, Member FDIC, and powered by Cardless, Inc., 350 Townsend St., #610 San Francisco, CA 94107.

Members that join the Avianca Lifemiles American Express card waitlist will be eligible to receive an additional bonus miles.

LifeMiles earned apply to obtain or maintain the LifeMiles Elite Status subject to the rules of the Elite Program available at lifemiles.com.

Terms and Conditions of the LifeMiles Program apply, available at lifemiles.com.

LifeMiles is a trademark of LifeMiles LTD.

I doubt this will have any value proposition. Given Lifemiles quirks (which can sometimes be beneficial, but might be hard to take advantage of) and the transfer bonuses from other programs, what could this offer (for someone that doesn't fly Avianca)?

[Spoon]

what could this offer (for someone that doesn't fly Avianca)?

A big SUB?

[ExGingi]

A big SUB?

I doubt it. But who knows.

[Spoon]

I doubt it.

Why

[ExGingi]

Why

Lifemiles had (has) a CC. Have you ever heard of any generous SUB?  Lifemiles generosity starts with the quirks of their award chart, their mixed cabin pricing, and no YQ. Anything else isn't fun.

[Spoon]

Lifemiles had (has) a CC. Have you ever heard of any generous SUB?  Lifemiles generosity starts with the quirks of their award chart, their mixed cabin pricing, and no YQ. Anything else isn't fun.

Previous card was with Popular bank iirc . This is with a new bank. Iinm the only other airline card that cardless has is TAP and the initial SUB was 65k. I would say that's pretty generous. Always good to have more options.

[UKinNYS]

weak: https://lifemiles.cardless.com/compare

Basic card 40k SUB after 3k spend $99 annual fee

Amex Elite; 40/ 100k SUB after 4.5/35k spend (3/ 12month) $249 annual fee

10% rebate on Star Alliance and 25% on Avianca awards, + LM silver could be worth it if you can maximize its value.

[tavster]

Unrelated to the cc, the new subscription program looks interesting.

The 6k LM per year also give the 10% rebate. Higher subscription statuses give the ability to cancel and change awards for free

[ExGingi]

Unrelated to the cc, the new subscription program looks interesting.

The 6k LM per year also give the 10% rebate. Higher subscription statuses give the ability to cancel and change awards for free

Sounds interesting.

Essentially the ability to buy status. If only dealing with LM wasn't so time consuming and stressful, but I guess that makes it have some hidden gems.

[tavster]

Sounds interesting.

Essentially the ability to buy status. If only dealing with LM wasn't so time consuming and stressful, but I guess that makes it have some hidden gems.

Detailed here:

https://frequentmiler.com/new-avianca-lifemiles-lifemiles-subscriptions-a-great-deal-for-enthusiasts/

[ExGingi]

Detailed here:

https://frequentmiler.com/new-avianca-lifemiles-lifemiles-subscriptions-a-great-deal-for-enthusiasts/

There's no way this isn't a precursor to an award chart devaluation.

[UKinNYS]

There's no way this isn't a precursor to an award chart devaluation.

makes sense but let's see, GL did a puff piece how they're trying to up their game etc..

https://viewfromthewing.com/lifemiles-overhaul-major-improvements-to-refunds-call-times-and-customer-service/

[tavster]

There's no way this isn't a precursor to an award chart devaluation.

Call me pessimistic - but i think ultimately most programs devalue over time | Many / most sweet spot disappear..
 

[Dan]

Detailed here:

https://frequentmiler.com/new-avianca-lifemiles-lifemiles-subscriptions-a-great-deal-for-enthusiasts/

Maybe this would have made sense before UA started blocking space, but seems hard to justify now, no?

[tavster]

Maybe this would have made sense before UA started blocking space, but seems hard to justify now, no?

They have some bargains in Asia. So for me having the ability is to make freely cancelable bookings is appealing.
Think of a family of 5 traveling, that's 5x $150 per way to cancel an award.

[UKinNYS]

Maybe this would have made sense before UA started blocking space, but seems hard to justify now, no?

what abt for booking on Star Alliance? any reports of other *A partners restricting award space?

[ExGingi]

Maybe this would have made sense before UA started blocking space, but seems hard to justify now, no?

There's so much to *A outside of UA!

[Dan]

what abt for booking on Star Alliance? any reports of other *A partners restricting award space?

Sure.
The writing is on the wall. Only going to get worse from here.

[Dan]

There's so much to *A outside of UA!

UA is hardly the only airline that blocks partner space.

[ExGingi]

UA is hardly the only airline that blocks partner space.

True. But plenty of decent awards are booked regularly on LH, LX, OS, TK, MS and others.