Avianca LifeMiles American ExpressAvianca Lifemiles American Express® Elite Card
Issued by Cardless
Reviewed by the CardCurator Editorial Team
Before you apply
Use this quick check so you click out only when the offer and fee structure really fit.
- Best fit: strongest ongoing earning is 3x on LifeMiles or Avianca.
- Annual fee: $249 charged each year.
- Who should skip: anyone who will not recover the annual fee through ongoing spend, credits, or the welcome bonus.
- What happens next: you will leave CardCurator for the issuer or partner application page in a new tab.
Confirm current issuer terms and approval rules before you submit an application.
Earning Categories
Current Welcome Bonus
Year 1 net value: $-236 (bonus − annual fee)
Bonus Tiers
60,000 miles after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days
40,000 miles after spending $25K in the first 365 days
Card Perks
With the avianca lifemiles American Express card, cardholders earn one (1) Qualifying Miles for every two (2) LifeMiles earned through Eligible Purchases under the Elite Avianca LifeMiles Program, up to the limits set in each elite category
Maximize Your Avianca LifeMiles Points
Expert tips to get the most value from this program
Program Overview
Avianca LifeMiles is the loyalty program of Avianca Airlines and a Star Alliance member. LifeMiles is known for no fuel surcharges on Star Alliance partner awards, making it a favorite for booking United, ANA, Lufthansa, and other partners cheaply. Key strengths: - No fuel surcharges on most partner awards (huge savings vs. other programs) - Star Alliance access for booking United, ANA, Lufthansa, EVA Air, and more - Transfer partner from Amex, Capital One, Citi, and Bilt - Competitive award chart for Star Alliance partner bookings - Miles can be purchased during sales at low cost - Miles don't expire with account activity every 12 months
Earning Tips
Earning strategy: Credit cards: - No current US co-brand card - Earn through Amex, Capital One, Citi, or Bilt and transfer 1:1 Flights: - Avianca flights earn based on fare class and distance - Star Alliance flights credit to LifeMiles - Elite status (Silver, Gold, Diamond) through qualifying activity Key tips: - Transfer from card programs is the primary earning method for US travelers - LifeMiles runs frequent buy-miles promotions at good rates - Buying miles during sales can be cheaper than transferring from credit cards - Star Alliance flights credit at varying rates; check before crediting
Redemption Tips
Best redemption values: No fuel surcharges (key advantage): - United flights: Book through LifeMiles with zero fuel surcharges - ANA flights: Same routes, no surcharges (savings of $200-600 vs. booking through ANA directly) - Lufthansa: No surcharges through LifeMiles (huge savings on Lufthansa awards) - EVA Air, Turkish, Swiss, and others: All surcharge-free Star Alliance business class sweet spots: - US to Europe: 63,000 miles one-way in business - US to Asia: 78,000 miles one-way in business - US to South America: 51,000 miles one-way in business - Within the Americas: 25,000-30,000 miles one-way in business Economy sweet spots: - US to South America: 25,000-30,000 miles one-way - Within the Americas: 7,500-20,000 miles one-way - US to Europe: 30,000 miles one-way Buy miles + book strategy: - During sales, buy LifeMiles at 1.2-1.4 cpp - Book a United business class flight for 63,000 miles ($880-$880) - Cash value often $3,000-8,000+ = massive value Avoid: - Avianca metal awards (limited network, some surcharges) - Waiting too long to book (availability disappears) - Buying miles at full price (only buy during sales)
Transfer Strategy
Inbound transfers: - Amex Membership Rewards: 1:1 - Capital One: 1:1 - Citi ThankYou: 1:1 - Bilt Rewards: 1:1 - Marriott Bonvoy: 3:1 Strategy tips: - Four 1:1 transfer partners make LifeMiles very accessible - Primary use: Book Star Alliance partner flights without fuel surcharges - Compare LifeMiles vs. Turkish Miles&Smiles for Star Alliance bookings - LifeMiles occasionally runs buy-miles sales at 1.2-1.4 cpp (good value)
Compare This Card
See how the Avianca Lifemiles American Express® Elite Card stacks up against other cards side by side — fees, bonuses, earn rates, and more.
Approval Insights
Recent community application data for this card. Issuers make the final decision, but this gives you a public read on how similar applicants have been doing lately.
How to use this
- Use the approval summary as a signal, not a guarantee.
- Combine it with issuer rules like 5/24, Amex lifetime language, and velocity limits.
- Open the full approval page to see recent datapoints, profile bands, and notes.
Most card pages stop at a generic credit-score range. CardCurator layers real community submissions on top of card detail, rewards value, and application strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual fee for the Avianca Lifemiles American Express® Elite Card?
- The Avianca Lifemiles American Express® Elite Card has an annual fee of $249 per year.
- What is the best category to use the Avianca Lifemiles American Express® Elite Card for?
- The Avianca Lifemiles American Express® Elite Card earns 3x on LifeMiles or Avianca, making it the strongest earning category for this card.
- Does the Avianca Lifemiles American Express® Elite Card charge foreign transaction fees?
- No, the Avianca Lifemiles American Express® Elite Card does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it a good choice for international purchases.
- How much are Avianca LifeMiles miles worth?
- Avianca LifeMiles miles are worth approximately 1.40¢ per point on average, with premium redemptions reaching up to 1.80¢ per point. Values based on industry estimates including The Points Guy and NerdWallet.
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- Look for a welcome bonus you can realistically earn.
- Compare the annual fee against lounge access, travel credits, or hotel perks.
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