LifeMiles is the most common program I use for all my Star Alliance redemptions. The program still has some high-value Sweetspots (https://awardcracker.com/the-few-remaining-lifemiles-sweetspots/) despite higher cancellation/redeposit fees. I can always reach LifeMiles customer service without any wait times compared to other programs like Aeroplan or ANA Mileage Club.
Avianca LifeMiles Star Alliance Partner Award Charts
It is NOT easy to find an official LifeMiles award chart on their website and they may be doing so to be able to devalue without notice. I am posting some of the highlighted areas of one of the older charts.
LifeMiles Region Definition for the US
LifeMiles Region Definition for Asia
US to Central Asia Award Chart
I have copied only the America & the North Asia (Japan) region instead of the very long all-region award chart below.
Based on the award chart above, irrespective of the location in the US (regions 1-3) travel to Tokyo in ANA business class should only be 75,000 miles and first class should be 90,000 miles.
What changed after Covid-19 for LifeMiles ANA redemptions?
ANA is now charging 90K (20% devaluation) for the business class ANA redemptions and 120K (33% devaluation) for the first class redemptions.
Will this ANA redemption ever get better?
Only time will tell if this is ever going to change as LifeMiles agents have no idea about it. Since ANA premium cabin redemptions are nonexistent at this time, this may not make much difference to people sitting on a lot of LifeMiles. I still see quite a bit of first class availability (for a single seat) on the Chicago-Tokyo route by booking 355 days ahead (https://awardcracker.com/ana-first-class-award-dummy-booking/).