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CardCurator — Rewards Intelligence
Card Comparison

Avianca Lifemiles American Express Card vs United Explorer

Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.

Avianca Lifemiles American Express Card card art
Avianca LifeMiles
Avianca Lifemiles American Express Card
Cardless
More Info
United Explorer card art
United MileagePlus
United Explorer
Chase
More Info
Annual Fee
$99/yr
$150/yr
Foreign Fees
None
None
Signup Bonus
40,000 points
Spend $3,000 in 3 months
85,000 points
Spend $3,000 in 3 months
Top Earn Rates
  • restaurants, groceries, or supermarkets 2x
  • LifeMiles or Avianca airlines 2x
  • All Other Purchases 1x
  • United Purchases 2x
  • Restaurant Purchases 2x
  • Hotel Stays 2x
Reward Type
miles
miles
Key Credits
None
  • Statement Credit $5
  • Statement Credit $50
  • Statement Credit $50
  • +1 more
Card Perks
  • Silver Elite Status
  • Miles don't expire
  • 2 United Club one-time passes per year
Transfer Partners
No transfer partners
No transfer partners
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Common Questions: Avianca Lifemiles American Express Card vs United Explorer

Is the Avianca Lifemiles American Express Card or United Explorer better for dining?

Avianca Lifemiles American Express Card earns 2x on dining; United Explorer earns 2x on dining. Avianca Lifemiles American Express Card wins for dining.

Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?

Avianca Lifemiles American Express Card currently offers 40,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). United Explorer offers 85,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). United Explorer has the larger bonus.

Which card is better for international travel?

Both cards charge no foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for international travel.

Can I hold both the Avianca Lifemiles American Express Card and the United Explorer?

In most cases yes — holding both is allowed and can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards across different spending categories. Avianca Lifemiles American Express Card is from Cardless and United Explorer is from Chase, so they're governed by separate bank policies.