How to transfer credit card points to Avianca LifeMiles

Last updated October 20, 2026 · By Kyle Burrows

LifeMiles is the program of Avianca, the Colombian airline. Most people in the US don't use it for Avianca flights. They use it to book Star Alliance partners such as United, Lufthansa, SWISS, ANA, EVA Air and Air New Zealand.

The useful part is that it's open to almost every bank. If you want to fly United but don't have Chase points, LifeMiles is one of the main ways to do it. It's also worth checking against United (guide here) and Aeroplan (guide here), because the same flight can price differently in each.

Which bank points transfer to LifeMiles

Bank points	Ratio	How long it takes
American Express Membership Rewards	1:1	Usually instant
Capital One Miles	1:1	Usually quick
Citi ThankYou	1:1 on some cards, 1,000 to 700 on others (see below)	Often within a day, but it can take a few business days.
Bilt Points	1:1	Usually instant. Bilt says allow up to 48 hours.
Wells Fargo Rewards	1:1 (points cards such as Autograph and Autograph Journey)	Can take a little time to post

Chase doesn't transfer to LifeMiles.

Citi cards. The Citi Strata Premier, Strata Elite, Prestige and AT&T Access More transfer to LifeMiles at 1:1. Most other Citi cards get 1,000 to 700, so combine your points in one ThankYou account with a full-ratio card first if you have one.

Banks sometimes run transfer bonuses to LifeMiles. Check the transfer screen on the day you move points, but don't transfer for a bonus without a trip in mind (see expiry below).

Before you move any points

Open a free LifeMiles account at lifemiles.com if you don't have one. Your LifeMiles number is in your profile.
Make the names match on your bank account, LifeMiles account and passport.
Find the flight first. Search lifemiles.com while logged in and price the full trip, every flight and every traveler, before you transfer. Transfers can't be undone.
Look at the cash part. The total includes taxes, any carrier charges and a LifeMiles booking fee. Read the full breakdown before you pay.
Plan for the clock. LifeMiles expire faster than most programs. Don't park points there.

How to transfer from each bank

American Express. Log in at americanexpress.com, open Membership Rewards and choose Transfer Points, then Avianca LifeMiles. The first time, link your LifeMiles number and confirm with your card's security code or a one-time code. Amex only sends points to your own account, or to an authorized user who has had their card for at least 90 days. New Amex card? Each new US Membership Rewards card can start with its own separate points balance. Before you transfer, and before you cancel that card, link it to your main account under Manage Connections on the Amex website or app, so all your points sit in one balance.

Capital One. Sign in, open your rewards, and choose the option to transfer your miles, then Avianca LifeMiles. Your Capital One name has to match the LifeMiles account. The minimum is 1,000 miles.

Citi. Sign in at thankyou.com, find Points Transfer (it has been under More Ways to Redeem), and choose Avianca LifeMiles. Transfers start at 1,000 points.

Bilt. In the app, go to Rewards, then Travel rewards, and tap Transfer. Choose Avianca LifeMiles and link your number. Blue status members have a 2,000-point minimum.

Wells Fargo. Transfers work from Wells Fargo cards that earn Rewards points, such as the Autograph and Autograph Journey. Sign in online, go to your rewards and look for Rewards Points Transfer. You can transfer any amount.

Check that the miles arrived

Log in at lifemiles.com and check the miles balance in your account. If nothing shows after the usual time, check your bank's transfer history for the number and name you used. Don't send a second transfer.

How to book the award on lifemiles.com

Sign in at lifemiles.com.
Start a flight search and choose to use your miles.
Enter your airports, dates, cabin and travelers.
Pick your flights. Check the operating airline on every leg (United, Lufthansa, Avianca and so on).
Check the cabin on every leg. A business class trip can include an economy flight.
Enter each traveler's name, date of birth and gender exactly as on the passport.
Read the price breakdown, including the booking fee, and pay the cash part by card.
Save the booking reference and ticket number, then check the trip on the operating airline's website.

The miles price depends on the route, the cabin, the season and demand. Price your actual dates rather than relying on a number you saw somewhere else.

Fees

LifeMiles charges a booking fee on partner awards. On its Lufthansa page it's $25 for an online booking. Booking through the call center or a sales office has its own charge, which varies by route. Taxes are on top.

Changes and cancellations

You can change the route until you've flown part of the trip. After that, only the date or time can change, and the miles can't be refunded.
Date changes and cancellations depend on the ticket's conditions and cost a fee. LifeMiles has charged $150 to change and $50 to $200 to cancel, depending on the route. The fees show during booking, so check them and take a screenshot before you pay.
Assume the booking fee isn't refunded.
Cancel before the flight leaves, not after.

Do LifeMiles expire?

Yes, and faster than most. Your miles stay valid for 12 months from the last time you earned miles. Using miles doesn't extend them. Earning does. Whether a transfer in from your bank counts is less clear. LifeMiles' rules don't promise it, so check the expiry date in your account after any transfer. If you have LifeMiles elite status or earn with a LifeMiles co-branded card, that extends to 24 months.

Mistakes I see most

Transferring for a bonus with no trip in mind, then losing the miles a year later.
Assuming a redemption keeps the account alive. Only earning does.
Missing an economy leg in what looked like a business class trip.
Not checking the ticket with the operating airline after booking.

Sources I checked

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