We may receive a commission when you use our links. Monkey Miles has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Monkey Miles and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Monkey Miles is also a Senior Advisor to Bilt Rewards Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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 today until May 31st, you can enjoy a 15% transfer bonus to Avianca Lifemiles. 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?
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
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 updated and improved their booking website in 2020
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.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
A Monkey Miles favorite for beginners and point pros alike – a staple of our wallet that earns Premium transferrable Ultimate Rewards. $95 annual fee
♥ Earn 60k Bonus Points after $4k Spend in 3 months
♥Points are transferrable to over dozen partners, or redeemable for 1.25c in Chase travel
♥5x on travel purchased via Chase Travel and 2x everywhere else
♥3x on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out
♥3x on select streaming
♥ 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs
♥ $50 Annual Credit on hotel stays purchased via Ultimate Rewards. *New cardmembers can get this credit immediately – existing cardmembers get it after anniversary
♥ 10% Anniversary Point Bonus. Spend $10k in a year, get 1k bonus points.
BONUS 150,000 Signup Bonus When You Use My Referral
Apply for an American Express Card with this link. We can both get rewarded if you’re approved! http://refer.amex.us/JAMESMTxt7?xl=cp19
I’m a newbie and can’t seem to get a fkifht from Boston to Lisbon. when I’m on the site it won’t let fly from us ro eyrope only carribean and poinrs south. Can u help me?
When you recently booked ANA with LifeMiles, did you select your seats soon afterwards? How did you get the ANA PRN?
I’ve been following your ANA flight booking since the time you cancelled with them last year.
That’s awesome! Thanks for the follow – when you get your confirmation email it has the PNR within it, you input that over at ANA manage my reservation and select seats. Super easy!
Thank you Miles, to say the least!! This is critical information that I was not able to find anywhere. I sure didn’t want to call to get the ANA PRN.
I constantly follow your travel blog and I consider it as a major player. I myself, have been in the miles/points collecting for 5 years now.
Believe your title is wrong – “April 1.”
DOH! You’re absolutely right, fixed!