The Avianca LifeMiles frequent flyer program added both American Express Membership Rewards® and Capital One® Rewards as transfer partners to make traveling more interesting for you. In addition with regular earn and burn promotions and its Star Alliance membership, this all contribute to boosting the potential value of this airline loyalty program.
See our best credit card bonuses here.
We recommend you give Avianca LifeMiles a try. Read below to see our reasoning.
Avianca Like Miles Quick Facts
| Hubs | Bogota, Lima, San Salvador |
| U.S. Destinations | Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Orlando, Washington D.C. |
| Alliance | Star Alliance |
| Credit Cards | Avianca Vuela Visa® Card Avianca Vida Visa® Card |
| Redemption Options | Avianca and partner award flights, seat upgrades, VIP lounge access, hotel stays, car rentals, extra baggage, experiences, donations, miles transfers |
| Average Mile Value | $0.017 |
LifeMiles Elite Program
The LifeMiles Elite program rewards your loyalty to Avianca. Earn elite status, and you will be able to unlock a tons of benefits designed to make your air travel more enjoyable.
EARNING ELITE STATUSAVIANCA BENEFITSSTAR ALLIANCE BENEFITSELITE MATERNITYBENEFITS FOR LIFE
- In order to gain Silver, Gold or Diamond elite status, you must meet status requirements within a calendar year (January 1 to December 31).
- All members who met the airline’s Elite status requirements in 2019 and received it on March 1, 2020 will have their status extended until January 31, 2022.
- The status will be automatically extended on March 1, 2021 without the need for customers to contact the airline.
| Requirements | Red More | Silver | Gold | Diamond |
| Qualifying Miles (lowered in 2021) |
8,250 | 11,200 | 18,850 | 28,800 |
| Qualifying Miles (during normal years) |
11,000 | 16,000 | 29,000 | 48,000 |
| Minimum qualifying miles flown with Avianca (lowered in 2021) |
6,600 | 8,960 | 15,080 | 23,040 |
| Minimum qualifying miles flown with Aviana (during normal years) |
8,800 | 12,800 | 23,200 | 38,400 |
- As you move up in elite status, you’ll unlock additional exclusive benefits:
| Benefits | Red More | Silver | Gold | Diamond |
| Bonus LifeMiles | 20% | 25% | 75% | 100% |
| Unlimited upgrades to Business class | – | X | X | X |
| Upgrade confirmation | – | At the airport | 48 hrs prior | 48 hrs prior |
| Annual LifeMiles upgrade certficates | – | – | – | 2 |
| Priority check-in | X | X | X | X |
| Priority boarding | – | X | X | X |
| Priority baggage handling | – | X | X | X |
| Avianca VIP lounge access | – | Yes | Yes + 1 | Yes + 1 |
| Diamond VIP lounge access | – | No | No | Yes + 1 |
| Partner VIP lounge access | – | No | Yes + 1 | Yes + 1 |
| Free same-day flight advancement | – | X | X | X |
| LifeMiles redemption fee waiver | – | – | – | X |
| LifeMiles promotions advance notice | X | X | X | X |
| Elite call center assistance | X | X | X | X |
- Elite status members also get extra baggage perks:
| Status | Economy | Business |
| Silver | 2 pieces of 50 lbs each | 2 pieces of 70 lbs each |
| Gold | 2 pieces of 50 lbs each + 1 piece of 44 lbs |
2 pieces of 70 lbs each + 1 piece of 44 lbs |
| Diamond | 2 pieces of 50 lbs each + 1 piece of 44 lbs |
2 pieces of 70 lbs each + 1 piece of 44 lbs |
- The following Star Alliance benefits apply with your LifeMiles elite status:
| Benefits | Silver | Gold | Diamond |
| Priority check-in | – | X | X |
| Additional baggage | – | X | X |
| Priority security clearance | – | X | X |
| Star Alliance airport lounge access | No | Yes + 1 | Yes + 1 |
| Priority boarding | – | X | X |
| Priority baggage handling | – | X | X |
| Priority on waitlists | X | X | X |
| Priority airport standby | X | X | X |
- Avianca lets their elite members take maternity leaves from the LifeMiles program.
- If you recently gave birth, you can extend your elite status for another full year.
- For example, if your Silver status is valid until February 2020, and your baby was born on October 1, 2019, you can enjoy Silver status until February 2021.
- If you recently gave birth, you can extend your elite status for another full year.
- To qualify, you must:
- Be a LifeMiles Elite member at the time of your baby’s birth.
- Request the extension through the Avianca Call Center.
- Submit a scanned copy of your child’s birth certificate.
- Earn status benefits for life with Cenit acknowledgment:
| Acknowledgement | Requirement | Permanant Benefits |
| Cenit 1M | 1 million qualifying miles | LifeMiles Gold Elite |
| Cenit 2M | 2 million qualifying miles | LifeMiles Diamond Elite |
- To qualify for Cenit, you need to be at least 60 years old and a member of LifeMiles (or predecessor programs) for 15+ years.
Earning Avianca LifeMiles
AVIANCA & PARTNER FLIGHTSCREDIT CARDSSHOPPING & DININGTRAVEL PARTNERSBUY MILES
- Because Avianca is a member of Star Alliance, you can earn LifeMiles on both Avianca and member airline flights to 1,250+ destinations worldwide.
- The miles you earn on most Star Alliance partner flights also count towards LifeMiles Elite status.
- Star Alliance members include:
- Aegean
- Air Canada
- Air China
- Air India
- Air New Zealand
- ANA
- Asiana Airlines
- Austrian Airlines
- Brussels Airlines
- Copa Airlines
- Croatia Airlines
- EgyptAir
- Ethiopian Airlines
- EVA Air
- LOT Polish Airlines
- Lufthansa
- SAS
- Shenzhen Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- South African Airways
- SWISS
- TAP Air Portugal
- Thai Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- United Airlines
- You can also earn LifeMiles on Aeromexico and Iberia flights.
- Avianca offers two co-branded credit cards, issued by Banco Popular based in Puerto Rico.
- Below are both LifeMiles-earning cards, along with a quick rundown of their features:
| VUELA CARD | VIDA CARD | |
| Welcome Bonus | 40,000 miles | 20,000 miles |
| Bonus Spend | 1 purchase | 1 purchase |
| Bonus Value | $680 | $340 |
| Ongoing Rewards | 3x miles on Avianca 2x miles on gas 2x miles on groceries 1x miles on everything else |
2x miles on Avianca 1x miles on everything else |
| Multiply Your Miles | 15% discount | 15% discount |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | None | 1% |
| Annual Fee | $149 | $149 |
- Additionally, Avianca Vuela cardholders get:
- One free additional baggage for travel between the United States and Central America.
- A 50% discount on an award ticket redeemed for travel from the United States to Central America or Colombia when you spend at least $12,000 each year.
- An additional 50% discount on an award ticket redeemed for travel from the United States to Central America or Columbia when you spend at least $24,000 each year.
- LifeMiles has a large network of shopping and dining partners. Although most are South American, there are a number of American companies on the list, like American Eagle, Armani, Golds Gym, Harley Davidson, L’Occitane, P.F. Chang’s, Steve Madden, Tumi and Vans.
- For a list of all partners along with earning rates, visit the Avianca Vuela Visa® Card.
To maximize your earning potential, read our complete guide to online shopping portals.
- Earn LifeMiles for hotel stays, car rentals and experiences. Partners include Avis, Booking.com, Hilton, Marriott, Rocket Travel and more.
- We don’t normally recommend purchasing miles, because they’ll likely lose much of their value at redemption. However, LifeMiles offers regular bonuses on purchases. We’ve seen promotions for up to 200% bonus miles.
- The regular purchase price is $33 for 1,000 LifeMiles, which comes out to $0.033 per mile. But with a LifeMiles purchase promotion you could be paying less than $0.0143 per mile. That’s far below what we average each mile to be worth, $0.017.
- Keep in mind, you are limited to purchasing a maximum of 200,000 LifeMiles each calendar year (bonus miles excluded).
Earning Miles with Travel Partners
Avianca wasn’t a very popular frequent flyer program until it partnered with American Express Membership Rewards® and Capital One® Rewards in 2018.
You can now transfer points to LifeMiles from four major rewards programs:
| Rewards Program | Transfer Ratio |
| American Express Membership Rewards® | 1:1 |
| Capital One® Rewards | 2:1.5 |
| Citi ThankYou Rewards | 1:1 |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 3:1 |
The ability to transfer points from other rewards program makes it extremely easy to have enough LifeMiles to book Star Alliance award flights.
Here are several recommended credit cards from those transfer partners that will help you earn points for the transfer.
THE PLATINUM CARD® FROM AMERICAN EXPRESSAMERICAN EXPRESS® GOLD CARDCAPITAL ONE® VENTURE® REWARDS CREDIT CARDMARRIOTT BONVOY BRILLIANT™ AMERICAN EXPRESS® CARD
 The Platinum Card® from American Express offers 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. You'll earn: • 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. • 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. This card comes with an annual fee of $695 (See Rates & Fees), but you cardholders can enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member and Additional Centurion Cards only. Terms Apply. Terms Apply. |
 The American Express® Gold Card offers 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms apply. You'll earn: • 4X Membership Rewards Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., • 4X Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). • 3X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required. This card has an annual fee of $250 with no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees). Terms Apply. |
 The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a one-time bonus of 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. You're able to earn: • 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. • 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel This card does come with a $95 annual fee. Enjoy no foreign transaction fees and receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre?®. |
 The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 3 months. Each Card renewal year, get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide. With this card, you'll earn: • 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott BonvoyTM program. • 3X points at Worldwide Restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines. • 2X points on all other eligible purchases. A Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member will earn 50% more points on eligible purchases at participating hotels for each U.S. dollar or the currency equivalent that is incurred and paid for by the member. Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership through any Authorized Enrollment Provider for TSA PreCheck (up to $85) when you pay the application fee with an eligible Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck. $100 Luxury Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card. This card comes with a $650 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. However, you can receive 1 free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy(R). Certain hotels have resort fees. (See Rates & Fees) Furthermore, enjoy unlimited airport lounge visits when you enroll in Priority Pass Select membership. Terms Apply. |
Redeeming Avianca LifeMiles
- Before we go through all the ways you can use your LifeMiles, keep in mind that they do expire.
- Be sure to make at least one accrual transaction at least once every 12 months to avoid losing any LifeMiles.
AWARD FLIGHTSSEAT UPGRADESVIP LOUNGESOTHER OPTIONS
- Use your LifeMiles for Avianca or partner-operated flights. There is no published Avianca award chart, but there is an online calculator that gives you mileage estimates for specific routes.
- Star Alliance has region-based award charts for each member airline. To view, go to the LifeMiles partner page and click on a carrier. Scroll down to the “How to redeem your LifeMiles” section. Then, click on “Review here” after “Find out how many LifeMiles you need for a ticket on…”
- When it comes time to redeem your LifeMiles for an award flight, keep the following points in mind:
- LifeMiles does not pass on any fuel surcharges – no matter which carrier you fly with. However, there is a $25 booking fee for all award tickets.
- LifeMiles does not offer the same Lufthansa first class availability as other Star Alliance programs.
- You can redeem in miles and cash, but you need at least 40% of the required miles.
- There are no stopovers allowed.
- There is no online award booking for non-alliance partners. You must call to redeem.
- Use your LifeMiles to upgrade your seat on Avianca-operated flights.
- You can also redeem your LifeMiles to upgrade on Star Alliance-operated flights, but restrictions do apply.
- Use your LifeMiles to access hundreds of VIP lounges around the world.
- Entry to most lounges are priced between 4,500 to 8,000 miles.
- Use your LifeMiles for a variety of other redemption options, like hotel stays, car rentals, extra baggage, experiences and donations. None of these will get you the best value for your miles, so we recommend avoiding them.
- You can also transfer your miles to a friend or family member. Pay $15 for every 1,000 LifeMiles you want to transfer. So the cost to transfer is $0.015 per mile.
- Like purchasing miles, LifeMiles will run limited-time transfer bonuses. For example, pay $15 for every 2,000 miles you transfer. That ends up being just $0.0075 per mile.
LifeMiles Tips & Tricks
SWEET SPOTSPROMO AWARD FLIGHTSCALL CENTER
- Let’s look at some LifeMiles sweet spots to get the most out of your miles.
- For travel from North America (the United States and Canada):
| Miles | Destination | Class |
| 25,000 | Transcontinental (United) | Business |
| 30,000 | South of South America | Economy |
| 63,000 | Europe | Business |
| 87,000 | Europe (Lufthansa) | First |
| 78,000 | Middle East | Business |
| 40,000 | New Zealand or Australia | Economy |
| 39,000 | South Asia | Economy |
- For travel departing elsewhere:
| Miles | Deaprt | Arive | Class |
| 45,000 | Europe | Central Asia | Business |
| 36,000 | South Asia | North Asia | Business |
| 40,000 | South Asia | New Zealand or Australia | Business |
| 50,000 | New Zealand or Australia | North Asia | Business |
| 48,000 | Hawaii | North Asia | Business |
| 22,500 | North Asia | North Asia | Business |
- LifeMiles will also run limited-time promo awards for different destinations.
- Past offers include:
- New York City (JFK) to Seoul-Incheon (ICN): roundtrip on Asiana Airlines first class for 144,000 miles. Regularly priced at 180,000 miles.
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Beijing (PEK): roundtrip on Air China first class for 144,000 miles. Regularly priced at 180,000 miles.
- Seattle (SEA) to Taipei (TPE): roundtrip on EVA Air business class for 120,000 miles. Regularly priced at 150,000 miles.
- San Francisco (SFO) to Taipei (TPE): roundtrip on EVA Air business class for 120,000 miles. Regularly priced at 150,000 miles.
- Keep in mind, most promo awards are only valid if you book within a short time period, usually two to three weeks.
- Service via the Avianca call center is a notoriously painful experience.
- The call center staff lack sufficient English skills, they’re not well-trained in partner bookings, and the hold times are long.
- We recommend you always try and book your award flights online first.
- We independently gathered the information above from public sources.
- It is subject to change so please log into your account and do your own search for updated information.
Bottom Line
You do not have to be a regular Avianca flyer to get value from the LifeMiles program. If you frequently travel with Star Alliance, you will be able to maximize LifeMiles rewards. Overall, the Avianca program offers the holy trinity when it comes to rewards: great earning potential, incredible flexibility and exceptional value.
Learn more and take advantage today.
