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With an excellent array of partners and plenty of ways to earn them through credit cards, Avianca LifeMiles is among our favorite award currencies here at AwardWallet. The program has its quirks, but you can get fantastic value out of LifeMiles if you know how to use them. Before you can use them, it pays to know the ways to earn Avianca LifeMiles.
LifeMiles has a great variety of uses — everything from economy United flights to Lufthansa first class. If you find yourself flying Star Alliance airlines, Avianca LifeMiles should be a key part of your overall rewards strategy. The lack of outrageous carrier surcharges is one of the best features of the program.
We'll cover everything you need to know about earning LifeMiles and highlight the most effective ways to accrue them. With some coming changes this year, we'll also touch on leveraging LifeMiles elite status to earn even more miles and take advantage of the perks available. By the end, you'll be able to develop your own strategy to keep the LifeMiles flowing in.
Now let's jump into all the ways to earn Avianca LifeMiles.
Page Contents
Earn LifeMiles by Flying
The original mileage-earning method — butt-in-seat flying on a plane — remains a key way to earn Avianca LifeMiles. You can earn miles on Avianca flights and flights with a long list of partner airlines. We'll cover the amount you can earn for each.
Before you can earn any LifeMiles, however, you'll need to make sure to sign up for the loyalty program. Creating a LifeMiles account is free and easy to do online. Once you make an account, add your LifeMiles account to AwardWallet to get notifications about any changes to your account, such as account balances or even flight check-in reminders.
Flying with Avianca
The number of LifeMiles you can earn with Avianca Airlines depends on which fare type you book and how much you pay for your ticket. Avianca has mirrored the earning structure of many U.S. airline programs — such as United MileagePlus and Delta SkyMiles — which credit miles based on how much you spend with the airline, rather than how far you fly.
Avianca fares earn at the following rates:
- Basic/Light: No LifeMiles earned
- Classic: 5 LifeMiles per $1 USD spent
- Flex: 7 LifeMiles per $1 USD spent
- Business: 7 LifeMiles per $1 USD spent
Elite members will earn additional LifeMiles as a perk of their status. Avianca has four elite status levels (after the base level). Elite members will earn:
- Red Plus: 10% bonus LifeMiles
- Silver: 30% bonus LifeMiles
- Gold: 50% bonus LifeMiles
- Diamond: 70% bonus LifeMiles
As a quick example, consider a Silver member flying on a ticket currently available from Miami to Bogota for $428.30 round-trip in the classic fare class. This fare would earn 5 miles per $1, so 2,142 base LifeMiles. The member would also enjoy a 30% bonus, yielding a total of 2,784 LifeMiles earned from this trip.
Miles from Avianca flights should credit to your LifeMiles account within four days of your flight.
Base miles earned also count as qualifying miles toward LifeMiles elite status. There are other ways to earn elite qualifying miles, though. We don't cover the other benefits of elite status here, but it can provide significant benefits beyond bonus LifeMiles.
Flying with partner airlines
Unlike Avianca-marketed flights, the LifeMiles you earn from partner flights depends on the fare class of the ticket and the distance flown. These rates are different for each partner airline. While the rates themselves are too complicated to display here, this table shows some of the essential details of how to earn LifeMiles with partners. The earning rate is based on the flown miles and will depend on the exact fare class.
| Airline | Earning rate (of flown miles) | Minimum miles earned | Earns elite qualifying miles? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aegean Airlines | From 100% to 200% | 500 to 750 | Yes, all miles qualify |
| Air Canada | From 25% to 150% | 500 | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| Air China | From 25% to 200% | 500 | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| Air India | From 50% to 200% | 500 | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| Air New Zealand | From 70% to 200% | - | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| ANA | From 30% to 150% | - | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| Asiana Airlines | From 50% to 135% | 500 to 625 | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| Austrian Airlines | From 50% to 200% | 125 to 500 | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| Brussels Airlines | From 50% to 150% | 250 to 500 | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| Clic | Codeshare; earns at Avianca rates | - | Yes, all miles qualify |
| Copa Airlines | From 25% to 125% | 500 | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| Croatia Airlines | From 50% to 150% | 250 to 500 | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| EgyptAir | From 50% to 125% | 250 to 500 | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| Ethiopian Airlines | From 25% to 200% | - | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| EVA Air | From 50% to 125% | 250 to 500 | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| Gol | From 50% to 150% | - | Yes, all miles qualify |
| Iberia | From 25% to 125% | - | No elite qualifying miles awarded |
| LOT Polish Airlines | From 25% to 150% | 125 to 500 | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| Lufthansa | From 50% to 200% | 250 to 500 | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| SAS | From 0% to 150% | 0 to 750 | Yes, up to 100% flown miles, but not on ineligible fare classes |
| Shenzen Airlines | From 50% to 150% | 250 to 500 | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| Singapore Airlines | From 75% to 150% | 500 | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| South African Airways | From 25% to 150% | 125 to 500 | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| SWISS | From 50% to 150% | 500 | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| TAP Air Portugal | From 50% to 200% | - | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| THAI | From 50% to 150% | 500 | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| Turkish Airlines | From 50% to 200% | - | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
| United Airlines | From 50% to 125% | 500 | Yes, up to 100% flown miles |
The vast majority of Avianca partners earn LifeMiles that are also elite qualifying miles. However, for fare classes where the normal accrual rate exceeds 100% (usually business class but sometimes premium economy as well), elite earning is nearly always capped at 100% of flown miles.
Consult the LifeMiles flight booking page for more detail on each partner. As an example, here is the earning for Asiana flights:
Let's say you book a round-trip fare from San Francisco (SFO) to Seoul (ICN) in a V-class economy fare. This fare will earn 70% of flown miles as LifeMiles and the same number of elite-qualifying miles. The distance between these two cities is 5,658 miles. Based on the chart, you should earn 3,961 LifeMiles per direction, for a total of 7,922 redeemable LifeMiles and elite qualifying LifeMiles.
Missing miles?
If you're missing miles from an Avianca or Star Alliance partner flight, or want to retroactively credit a flight that didn't earn miles in any program to LifeMiles, use the form here. You can claim miles for flights taken within the past 12 months. You'll need your ticket number or reservation code and flight details to request missing LifeMiles.
No matter what, make sure you credit your flights to some program. Even if earning LifeMiles doesn't make sense, you can likely credit a flight somewhere, so ensure you're getting rewards for every flight you take.
Transfer Points to Avianca LifeMiles
There are a number of bank or other loyalty programs where you can transfer points to Avianca LifeMiles. These include major bank programs such as American Express Membership Rewards. The partner programs can all transfer points to LifeMiles as follows:
Some bank programs occasionally offer transfer bonuses to LifeMiles, letting you stretch your points even further. These have included Citi ThankYou® and Amex Membership Rewards. I wouldn't be surprised if we see a Bilt transfer promo at some point. There's now an added incentive to transferring points to LifeMiles, as they help you qualify for elite status.
Transferring Membership Rewards Points to LifeMiles
One primary option for accruing LifeMiles is to transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to the loyalty program. This has been my longstanding way to accrue LifeMiles. You can transfer Membership Rewards to LifeMiles at a 1:1 ratio. Transfers are instant. LifeMiles is just one of many useful Membership Rewards transfer partners.
Transferring Citi ThankYou Points to LifeMiles
Another major bank currency that can transfer to LifeMiles is Citi ThankYou Points. You can earn these points with a variety of Citi cards, but you'll need to have at least one that allows points transfer to travel partners, such as the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card. Like with Membership Rewards, points transfer at a 1:1 ratio in increments of 1,000 points and transfer instantly.
Transferring Capital One miles to LifeMiles
A third bank loyalty currency you can move to LifeMiles is Capital One miles. Points transfer at a 1:1 ratio in increments of 1,000, and transfers are instant. You can earn Capital One miles with cards like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Transferring Bilt Rewards points to LifeMiles
Bilt Rewards is a loyalty program designed for renters. With The Bilt Mastercard®, you will earn points by paying your monthly rent through Bilt, plus for other purchases you make. Dining is a solid Bilt bonus category, offering 3X points per $1 spent. You can transfer Bilt points to LifeMiles at a 1:1 ratio, and transfers are nearly instant. Do note that you must make at least five non-rent purchases on your card each month to earn points.
Transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to LifeMiles
Finally, LifeMiles is one of many airline programs that partners with Marriott Bonvoy. Points transfer at a ratio of 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1,000 LifeMiles and can take up to a day. One bummer is that Marriott has removed the bonus for transferring Marriott Bonvoy points in increments of 60,000 to obtain bonus miles. This still applies to some other airline partners, but you won't be given a bonus if you transfer Bonvoy points to LifeMiles.
We don't recommend you transfer Bonvoy points this way unless it's the only option for topping up your account — or you're sure you're getting more value out of them for a specific redemption than you would using them for a Marriott stay.
Earn LifeMiles Using Credit Cards
Now that we've covered all the programs where you can transfer points to LifeMiles, let's walk through some of the best credit cards to help build your points balance. Credit cards will likely be the best strategy for amassing LifeMiles —both through welcome offers and general spending.
Best general travel card for earning LifeMiles
The Citi Strata Premier is an excellent all-around travel card, offering increased earning in travel categories, plus other common spending categories. It also has a solid sign-up bonus and doesn't levy foreign transaction fees.
- 3X points per $1 on airfare and hotels and at gas stations, restaurants, and supermarkets
- Annual Hotel Benefit: Save $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when you book through CitiTravel.com
- No foreign transaction fees
- $95 annual fee
- 10X points per $1 on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
- 3X points per $1 spent on airfare, and other hotel purchases
- 3X points per $1 spent at gas and EV charging stations
- 3X points per $1 spent on dining at restaurants, including cafes, bars and lounges
- 3X points per $1 spent at supermarkets
- 1X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Earn points in popular spending categories: 10X points per $1 on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com; 3X points per $1 spent on airfare and other hotels; and 3X points at gas stations, EV charging stations, restaurants, and supermarkets
- Transfer points to an array of travel partners, including LifeMiles.
- $95 annual fee.
Related: Citi Strata Premier Card full review
Relatively new to the premium card market, the Capital One Venture X is an excellent premium travel card. In addition to earning transferable miles, you can enoy benefits like lounge access and an annual travel credit.
- 10X miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on purchases through Capital One Entertainment (through 12/31/2025)
- 5X miles per $1 on flights when booking via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on vacation rentals booked via Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per $1 on all other eligible purchases
- $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles.
- Earn 5X to 10X miles for bookings through Capital One Travel and 2X miles on everything else.
- $395 annual fee.
Related: Capital One Venture X full review
Best no-annual-fee card to earn Avianca LifeMiles
The 2x earning rate offered by The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express makes it a mainstay in my wallet for purchases outside of a bonus category. Note that it is a business card, which might not be available to you if you don't have a small business.
- Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
- You've got the power to spend beyond your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
- Earn 2x points on all purchases for the first $50,000 in annual spending, then 1x.
- No annual fee (Rates & Fees).
Related: Amex Blue Business Plus full review
Are there co-branded LifeMiles credit cards?
While Avianca LifeMiles has some co-branded credit cards available in various Latin American countries, none are currently available to U.S. consumers. Previously, there were two cards available through Banco Popular de Puerto Rico that had solid earning rates and benefits. We'll definitely provide an update if LifeMiles ever decides to issue a co-branded card through a U.S. bank.
Other Ways To Earn Avianca LifeMiles
Hotel partners
You can book hotels directly through LifeMiles Hotel platform — partnering with Booking.com — to earn miles for every night of your hotel stay. In addition, LifeMiles partners with a number of hotel chains where you can earn 1–2 LifeMiles for every $1 you spend. LifeMiles is also a partner of Rocketmiles, a popular platform for earning airline miles on hotel stays.
Car rental partners
LifeMiles partners with an array of car rental partners bookable via Rentalcars.com (part of booking.com). Rental car partner brands include Hertz, Avis, Dollar, Thrifty, and Sixt. Note that you must provide your LifeMiles number to earn miles — generally be at a rate of 50 miles per rental day.
Shopping partners
Multiple shopping partners let you earn Avianca LifeMiles, but the primary obstacle is that none are available in the U.S. There's an online listing of stores where you can earn up to 5 LifeMiles per $1 spent. In many cases, you must shop in person and provide your LifeMiles number to earn miles. Not very useful for most people.
Buying LifeMiles
Buying miles can be a surprisingly good strategy to earn Avianca LifeMiles if you don't mind shelling out a little cash. Given that there are some excellent LifeMiles sweet spots, the math can work. We don't recommend buying LifeMiles at their standard price, but during times when bonus promotions for buying LifeMiles are offered, it can make sense.
Final Thoughts
There is a plethora of ways to earn Avianca LifeMiles. Transferring points to Avianca LifeMiles will be the winning strategy for most, as you have multiple major bank programs and many credit card options available for accruing transferable points. Bank points have overwhelmingly been my method for accruing LifeMiles, and I don't expect this to change.
What's especially cool is that miles earned by transferring points from credit card programs now help you earn Avianca elite status, which can potentially provide Star Alliance Gold. You'll still need to do some flying with Avianca, however. Don't discount crediting flights to Avianca, either, to earn miles. That's especially true if elite status is part of your goal.
Beyond this, keep the other ways to earn Avianca LifeMiles in the back of your mind. Know they are there, but these first two are likely enough to keep your LifeMiles balance nice and healthy.
Looking for more Avianca LifeMiles content? Check out these posts:
- Avianca LifeMiles: Transfer Partners and Partner Airlines
- Get a Discount if You Book Avianca LifeMiles Awards in Advance
- Subscribing to Club LifeMiles: Is It Worth It After Recent Changes?
- 112 United Award Routes That You Can Book for Just 6,500 LifeMiles
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (Rates & Fees)
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