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South America-based airline LATAM left the Oneworld alliance in 2020 after Delta purchased a stake in the carrier. However, LATAM maintained its mileage relationships with many of its former Oneworld partners — including British Airways.
And now that LATAM ended its partnership with Alaska, British Airways Avios remain one of the most useful ways to book award flights across LATAM's network.
Here's a closer look at LATAM's partnership with British Airways, plus a dive into some of the best uses of Avios on LATAM flights.
British Airways Avios Award Chart for LATAM Flights
British Airways Club uses a segment- and distance-based award chart for LATAM awards. That means the number of Avios required depends on how far you fly rather than the regions you're traveling between. If your itinerary includes a connection, British Airways prices each segment separately and adds the costs together, making nonstop flights the best value.
British Airways no longer publishes award charts, so travelers have to search for award flights to determine award costs. But we'll save you the trouble. AwardWallet has confirmed the following British Airways award chart for LATAM flights based on award searches:
| Flight Distance | Economy | Premium Economy | Business Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 650 miles | 9,500 | ||
| 651 to 1,151 miles | 15,000 | 27,500 | |
| 1,152 to 2,000 miles | 17,500 | 25,500 | |
| 2,001 to 3,000 miles | 19,000 | 56,000 | |
| 3,001 to 4,000 miles | 34,500 | 102,500 | |
| 4,001 to 5,500 miles | 45,500 | 136,000 |
Premium economy is available on select short-haul LATAM aircraft, including the Airbus A320 family. So far, we've only found premium economy awards on a limited number of routes in the 1,152 to 2,000-mile distance band. We'll update the table as additional data points become available.
Related: The Complete Guide to British Airways' Partners
Best Uses of British Airways Avios on LATAM Flights
Miami to the Dominican Republic for 15,000 Avios
Surprisingly, for a South America-based airline, one way to use British Airways Avios for LATAM is on a flight between the U.S. and the Caribbean!
LATAM operates a fifth-freedom route from Miami (MIA) to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ). As this flight spans just 911 miles, you can book it for 15,000 Avios each way in economy:
For this route, it might be worth splurging for business class. LATAM operates a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on this route, including lie-flat business-class seats. And you can book it for just 27,500 Avios each way:
The catch? This flight only operates on Fridays and Saturdays, so you may need some schedule flexibility to book it. Thankfully, British Airways doesn't require round-trip award bookings. That means you can fly LATAM in one direction and use your Avios (or another mileage currency) to fly in the other direction on another airline.
Premium economy from Miami to Bogota for 17,500 Avios
LATAM's flight from Miami to Bogota clocks in around ~1,500 miles. Thus, you'll pay 17,500 Avios for an economy award and 25,500 Avios for premium economy. Generally, LATAM operates MIA to BOG with an Airbus A320, which doesn't feature lie-flat seats.
Fly to Lima for 19,000 Avios
Another option in the LATAM British Airways award chart is on flights to Lima, Peru (LIM) — especially from Miami. The flight from Miami to Lima covers about 2,600 miles, meaning the cost is just 19,000 Avios each way in economy:
At 56,000 Avios each way, business class costs nearly three times as much as economy. Still, travelers seeking extra comfort may find value in the upgrade, especially since LATAM operates Boeing 767 aircraft on this route with lie-flat business-class seats.
Flights from New York (JFK) to Lima (LIM) span 3,629 miles, bumping the rate to 34,500 Avios in economy or a whopping 102,500 Avios in business class.
Los Angeles (LAX) to Lima (LIM) falls just outside the 4,000-mile distance band, meaning you'll need to pay 45,500 Avios in economy or 136,000 Avios in business class. You can do better than this by booking these same awards through other mileage currencies. For example, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club charges 37,500 miles in economy or 95,000 miles in business class.
Intra-South America flights from 9,500 Avios
Unlike its award chart for flights within North America, British Airways prices short-haul flights on LATAM at just 9,500 Avios each way. You can fly up to 650 miles in distance for this reasonable price. Among the seemingly endless options are Bogota to Cartagena, Lima to Cusco, and Recife to Fortaleza.
Even better, award availability is generally widespread. But a word of caution: It's worth checking cash prices before booking one of these short-hop awards. Often, you can book one-way, sub-600-mile LATAM flights for cheap. It may be worth saving your Avios for a more valuable redemption down the road.
For example, this Lima to Cusco flight to visit Machu Picchu is 9,500 Avios plus $29 in taxes in economy.
However, at only $54, spending 9,500 Avios to cover the measly $25 difference in cash required doesn't make sense.
Boosting Your British Airways Avios Balance
British Airways Avios are among the easiest airline currencies for U.S. travelers to earn. The airline is a transfer partner of the following major transferable points programs:
You can transfer Avios between British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Finnair, and Qatar at a 1:1 ratio at no cost.
Plus, eligible new cardholders of the British Airways Visa Signature® Card (Rates & Fees) can earn 75,000 bonus Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. That's a solid way to build your Avios balance.
- Earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
- Earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL.
- Earn 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel.
- 10% off British Airways flights starting in the US when you book through the website provided in your welcome materials.
- Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa card, you'll earn a Travel Together Ticket good for two years.
- Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.
- Simply tap to pay with your contactless British Airways Visa Signature Card. Just look for the contactless symbol at checkout. It's fast, easy and secure!
- Member FDIC
- 3X Avios per $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL
- 2X Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations
- 1X Avios for every $1 spent on all other purchases
Bottom Line
Despite recent devaluations, British Airways Avios can still provide decent value on LATAM flights. Unfortunately, the number of good uses is dwindling. Even so, this partnership remains particularly valuable for flights between the U.S. and both South America and the Caribbean. Flights within South America can also offer good value when cash prices go up.
Thanks to its many transfer partners and lucrative credit card offers, British Airways Avios remain one of the easiest airline currencies to earn.
And you can further stretch your miles by taking advantage of transfer bonuses from Chase, Amex, and Capital One whenever they come around.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: British Airways Visa Signature® Card (Rates & Fees)
