The right airline credit card is usually based on how often you fly with that carrier and its partners – Avianca’s two cards are no exception.
If you regularly book Avianca or Star Alliance award flights, it’s worth considering both the Avians Lifemiles American Express® Card and theavianc Lifelifemile & American express® Elite Card.
This elite card could make you look at its earnings and built-in Lifemiles+ Lite membership. However, even though it costs $249 a year (see rates and fees), it doesn’t necessarily offer enough value to justify the cost for most travellers.
Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Avianca Lifemiles Amex Elite: The basics
Avianca Lifemiles Amex Elite Card looks like a step up from the less expensive $99 Aviantca lifemile (see rates and fees) American Express Card. It earns more on Avianca purchases, offers redemption perks and continues benefits through a Lifemiles+ Lite membership.
This card is in practice, though, a niche for frequent Lifemiles users rather than an average mid-tier airline card.
Just like the cheaper $99 version, you’ll receive Avianca Silver status, which includes:
- Avianca lounge access twice per year
- Extra-legroom seat selection
- Select upgrade options
- An extra checked bag (excludes Basic and Light fares)
- Priority check-in and boarding (Group B)
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
The Elite Card’s main differentiator is its built-in Lifemiles+ Lite membership, which offers:
- 500 bonus miles per month (6,000 per year)
- An up to 25% discount on Avianca award flights
- A 10% discount on Star Alliance award redemptions
These perks can be valuable, but only if you’re actively redeeming Lifemiles.
As with the lower-fee card, there are no foreign transaction charges (see rates and fees for the Avianca Lifemiles Amex Elite; see rates & fees of theavian ca lifemile amex); Cardless issued on the American Express network.
Avianca Lifemiles Amex Elite pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| — | — |
| * Complimentary Avianca Silver status (also available on the lower-fee Avianca Amex Card) * Star Alliance Silver benefits, including priority waitlist and priority standby * Monthly bonus miles and redemption discounts through Lifemiles+ * Solid earning on Avianca and Lifemiles purchases * No foreign transaction fees | * Same Silver status as the lower-fee card * Not a great fit for those who fly Avianca infrequently * Offers little if you already have Avianca Gold or Diamond status * Limited benefits when flying Star Alliance partners * Weak everyday earning rates * Benefits are highly dependent on using Lifemiles regularly |
Avianca Lifemiles Amex Elite benefits
It’s the Lifemile Lite membership on Avianca Lifelifemiles Amex Elite, not just an elite driver of value. You’ll get 500 miles a month, or as many as 6,000 miles per year. This is worth $84 per year based on the valuations of TPG’s April 2026.
That’s not going to end the card’d $249 annual fee, but that extra perks — especially 10% rebate on Star Alliance redemptions can be useful when you redeem miles regularly.
It also offers up to 25% discount on Avianca award flights, which helps you travel a mile further though it’s best if your flight is really flyingavianc instead of booking partner awards.
Unless you’re already elite with a Star Alliance airline, Avianca Silver can help when it comes to status. They will give you simple benefits such as priority boarding and priority wait-listing.
Avianca VIP Lounge in Miami International Airport (MIA). GISELLE GOMEZ/THE POINTS GUY
This cards give you two Avianca lounge visits a year. How useful is this help, that said, depends on where you’re traveling.
Aside from Miami International Airport (MIA) lounge in Avianca, it is also part of the Priority Pass network; you may already have access to another card. But outside of Avianca-operated lounges, you won’t get broader lounge access like you would with premium travel cards.
With the lower-feath variant of this card, however, its advantages are largely tied to Avianca flights. The Silver status is a fairly limited value when flying other Star Alliance airlines such as United Airlines or Air Canada. But that’s the point in the end – you’re paying too much and not getting good benefits.
How to earn and use your rewards
How to earn your rewards
The Avianca Lifemiles Amex Elite earns:
- 3 miles per dollar spent on Avianca and Lifemiles purchases
- 2 miles per dollar spent on dining and travel
- 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else
A airline card is generally regulated by these rates, which are fairly standard. But as is the case, I don’t think it should be a good idea to spend so much everyday on this card. If you’re given a transferable points card that allows more flexibility, you’ll generally get value.
That said, there is one area where this card stands out: buying Lifemiles.
LIFEMILES
Lifemiles also regularly runs promotions with bonus miles, so it is relatively easy to balance up for premium cabin redemptions. It’s useful if you regularly top up your account and make 3 miles per dollar on those purchases, so making that card work out.
It also has a “double miles” option on the card, which matches miles earned per statement cycle (miles earn each) – but only 1,000 bonus miles per month. A nice perk, though it doesn’t dramatically change the overall earning potential – that is what s say.
How to redeem Avianca Lifemiles
Avianca Lifemiles are most valuable when redeemed for flights on Star Alliance partners, including United, Air Canada and Lufthansa.
The program is a strong option for booking premium cabin flights, as it often offers competitive award pricing with relatively low taxes and fees.
For example, you could fly Swiss business class from Newark to Zurich for 69,000 Lifemiles plus $29 in taxes. As you do, (like I did at check-in) you could cash upgrade to first class. Paraphrasingr )
Swiss business class. ETHAN STEINBERG/THE POINTS GUY
Amongst its most compelling features is the 10% rebate on Star Alliance redemptions, which can be used as an ongoing benefit if you redeem frequently. You would save nearly 7,000 Lifemiles on the flight to Switzerland, above, under “Sale.
If you’re only redeeming occasionally, though, this perk alone is unlikely to justify the higher annual fee.
Potential drawbacks to the Avianca Lifemiles Amex Elite
The Avianca Lifemiles Amex Elite does not offer many features that are standard on similarly priced airline cards, including meaningful statement credits and broader lounge facilities. This is why it’s hard to justify the annual fee – unless you consistently get value from Lifemiles redemptions.
In the end, you’re paying a premium for perks that is highly dependent on how often you redeem Lifemiles rather than if you have gotten all of the travel pc.
Avianca Lifemiles Amex Elite vs. Avianca Lifemiles Amex
The Avianca Lifemiles Amex Elite offers incremental benefits, but it doesn’t really differentiate itself from the more affordable AviantcaLifemile a.c. American Express.
Both cards include:
- Avianca Silver status
- Two lounge passes per year
- Similar overall earning structures
The Elite Card adds:
- 6,000 bonus miles annually (500 per month)
- An up to 25% discount on Avianca awards
- A 10% discount on Star Alliance redemptions
- Higher earning on Avianca and Lifemiles purchases
While those perks can be useful, for many travelers, they won’t justify paying an extra $150 per year — especially given that there is no additional core travel benefits.
Personally, I’d lean toward the cheaper card unless you’re consistently redeeming Lifemiles and can take advantage of the award discounts.
Is the Avianca Lifemiles Amex Elite worth it?
The card is a hard sell, even though the Avianca Lifemiles Amex Elite’s overlap with the cheaper Aviansha Life miles American Express (with limited elite benefits and average earning rates) makes it difficult to sell without you being very invested in the Lifelifetimes program.
If you regularly redeem Lifemiles, especially in premium cabin Star Alliance awards, the Elite Card can offer some incremental value if you use it. I don’t think it is enough to justify its $249 annual fee for most travelers, but that doesn’s a good thing.
When to apply for the Avianca Lifemiles Amex Elite
Currently, new Avianca Lifemiles Amex Elite Card holders can earn up to 100,000 miles:
- 60,000 miles after spending $4,500 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening
- An additional 40,000 miles after spending $25,000 on purchases in the first 365 days from account opening
It is a fairly standard part of the bonus for its first half, but it’s also very expensive to spend ($2,084 per month for yearly) and that second requires so much spending. In most cases, you’ll get better value if you put that money on other more profitable cards.
URBAZON/GETTY IMAGES
You can only earn a welcome bonus on one Avianca card, so make sure you choose carefully. Cardless issued card means you will not be subject to Amex’s once-per-lifetime welcome bonus rule as it applies to the card.
Other cards to consider if you don’t want the Avianca Lifemiles Amex Elite
If the Avianca Lifemiles Amex Elite doesn’t seem like the right fit, consider:
- If you want flexible rewards that transfer to Lifemiles: The
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
(see
rates and fees
) earns across popular bonus categories like dining and travel, and
Chase Ultimate Rewards
All points are transferable to Avianca Lifemiles – for a much lower $95 annual fee. Read our review of s to learn more.
full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred
.
- If you want stronger airline benefits with a clear path to status: The
United Quest℠ Card
(see
rates and fees
) offers perks like free checked bags and award discounts, along with the ability to spend your way toward
United MileagePlus status
which can be more useful across Star Alliance airlines. To learn more, check out our
full review of the United Quest Card
.
- If you want a well-rounded everyday card with transfer options: The
Citi Strata Premier® Card
(see
rates and fees
) is an underrated option that earns across popular bonus categories like gas stations and supermarkets.
Citi ThankYou Rewards
points can also be
transferred to Avianca Lifemiles
. To learn more, check out our
full review of the Citi Strata Premier
.
For additional options, check out our list of the best travel cards.
Bottom line
Some of the best perks are there in the Avianca Lifemiles Amex Elite (especially for regular users on Life Miles) but it’s ultimately a niche card.
It’s hard to justify the $249 annual fee if you’re not regularly redeeming Lifemiles. The cheaper Avianca card may be better overall value even if you are, and even so, the .
For most travelers, this isn’t the obvious upgrade it’s positioned to be.
Apply here: Avianca Lifemiles American Express Elite Card
Thanks for reading Avianca Lifemiles Amex Elite review: Worth $249?
