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Amex 15% transfer bonus to Avianca LifeMiles

American Express not only has a great list of transfer partners, it also frequently incentivizes transfers to those partners with bonuses. From May 3rd until May 31st, you can enjoy a 15% transfer bonus to Avianca Lifemiles. This is noted on the Lifemiles website, not on the Amex website FYI. I have used Lifemiles many times in the past and the transfers have always been instantaneous

Unfamiliar with Avianca’s Lifemiles program…you’re probably not alone

Avianca became an Amex transfer parter in 2018 and provides excellent access points to Star Alliance award inventory. You can also use them on AeroMexico and Iberia.

Should you transfer?

Not speculatively, or just to enjoy a 15% bonus. Personally, I would take advantage of this if you know that there is a trip that you want to take. If not…I wouldn’t transfer your very valuable Amex points to Avianca simply to get a 15% bonus.

Here’s a look at Avianca’s award chart

Sweet Spots include:

• US to Europe in Business Class for 63k
• US to Europe in First Class for 87k
• US to North Asia in Biz for 75k
• US to North Asia in First for 90k

I used Lifemiles to book a trip to Japan later this year in ANA’s new first class

Mixed Cabin trips are where its at!

As I noted above, one of the sweet spots is booking First Class between Europe and the US for 87k miles. However, Avianca gives its loyalists a break when their entire itinerary isn’t in the same cabin. Here’s a look at an itinerary from Paris via Munich to Los Angeles in Lufthansa First Class. Since the first leg is in economy the price is knocked down to just 83,200. 

 

I put the taxes and fees on my American Express Platinum card to earn 5x points

It’s a great benefit of the charge card and can quickly accumulate points when booking direct with the airline.

Learn more about the American Express Platinum card

Avianca has also updated and vastly improved their booking website.

Up until recently, Avianca had a clunk booking engine that would crash when used in Chrome. Now…they’ve created a fantastic new search facility that I almost always use in Smart Search.

Analysis

If you’re looking to make an award redemption in the near future…this could be a great time to make use of the program and achieve your travel aspirations at lower prices! If not..I wouldn’t pull the trigger.