This is your last week to take advantage of a 15% transfer bonus from American Express Membership Rewards to Avianca LifeMiles. It marks a great opportunity to book travel, even for the busy upcoming summer travel season.
Avianca LifeMiles Transfer Bonus Via American Express Membership Rewards
Airfare has skyrocketed this year, with exorbitant prices in many markets for both domestic and international airfare compared to 2019. Jet fuel prices have doubled, demand has exceeded 2019 levels, yet capacity still has not. That creates the perfect formula for surging airfare.
Enter Avianca LifeMiles, which is offering a 15% bonus on transfers from American Express Membership Rewards through May 31, 2022. LifeMiles already offers one of the most reasonable Star Alliance redemption charts and this transfer bonus makes LifeMiles award bookings even more lucrative.
LifeMiles also runs frequent purchased miles promotion, with bonuses dropping the price to as little as 1.32 cents each. A recent purchased miles promotion just ended, but the 15% AMEX transfer bonus remains (you can also transfer from other flexible currencies like CapitalOne and Citi).
My philosophy on miles is points is only buy what you intend to burn on a short-term horizon. But with booking up to 330 days in advance possible, now is a great time to think about next year’s travel.
Last year, those who booked early for this year scored incredible deals. There is less uncertainty in the air this year, even as travel disruptions caused by the pandemic persist more than two years after they began. Still, there are great deals to be had if you can plan ahead.
For example, say you want to head to Turkey next year, a great place for a vacation (and reasonable as ever right now due to the depreciated Turkish Lira). Turkish Airlines is great about releasing space in advance and routinely offers up to four business class award seats on each flight (63K each between the USA and Istanbul). Turkish Airlines flies to more countries than any other airline and you can connect to anywhere in Europe for no additional miles.
LifeMiles is odd in the sense that sometimes bookable partner space shows that is not available on other airlines. Other times, space will show on other partner airlines but not be be bookable with LifeMiles. To avoid disappointment, I recommend you check the space online before you transfer points. Telephone agents will not be able to see space you cannot see online and custom routings are generally not permitted.
Other award chart sweet spots include:
- US to Europe in first class – 87,000 miles
- US to Southeast Asia in business class – 78,000 miles
- US to North Asia in first class – 90,000 miles
- US domestic flights – from 6,500 miles
Lufthansa First Class for 87K miles and no fuel surcharge is a pretty sweet deal, as is flying to Singapore or Bangkok via Tokyo or Taipei for 78,000 miles in business class.
Again, do your research first, then transfer the points, then immediately book. Transfers are instant. I don’t recommend stockpiling points with a 15% transfer bonus, but I certainly recommend booking confirmed travel if you see it is available. LifeMiles does not pass on fuel surcharges and other fees are low.
CONCLUSION
Through May 31, 2022 Avianca LifeMiles is offering a 15% bonus on transfers from American Express Membership Rewards. Consider taking advantage of this if you have yet to book summer travel and find space or if you are able to plan ahead and book travel for 2023.
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