Amex to Avianca LifeMiles 15% Transfer Bonus: Best Star Alliance Sweet Spots to Book Now

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Key Takeaways

• The Amex Avianca LifeMiles transfer bonus is 15%, running from February 18 through March 28, 2026 (11:59 PM GMT-6). Every 1,000 Amex Membership Rewards transferred becomes 1,150 LifeMiles.
• This bonus is hosted by Avianca LifeMiles, not Amex. It will not appear in the Amex transfer portal. Bonus miles credit separately within 24–72 hours.
• No registration required. Minimum transfer is 1,000 points. Amex caps transfers at 750,000 points per transaction.
• LifeMiles+ subscribers can stack a 10% award booking discount on top of the 15% transfer bonus, compounding the savings.
• Best sweet spots include Lufthansa business class to Europe, ANA business class to Japan, Turkish Airlines long-haul, Avianca to South America, and short-haul intra-Europe flights on Star Alliance carriers.
• Verify award space before transferring. LifeMiles has known phantom availability issues. Use ExpertFlyer or United.com to confirm that seats are available.
• LifeMiles expire after 12 months of inactivity. Plan to book soon after transferring, or maintain activity through a LifeMiles+ subscription.
• Compare before committing: For some routes, Aeroplan or Turkish Miles&Smiles may still beat LifeMiles even with the bonus. The math depends on the specific route and cabin.

Quick Answer

The 15% Amex Avianca LifeMiles transfer bonus (live through March 28, 2026) makes LifeMiles one of the cheapest ways to book Star Alliance premium cabin awards right now, particularly on Lufthansa, ANA, Turkish Airlines, and Avianca metal. For example, 85,000 Amex MR points become 97,750 LifeMiles—nearly enough for a round-trip Lufthansa Business Class ticket to Europe, which normally costs 100,000+ LifeMiles. Transfer only after confirming award availability, and consider stacking with a LifeMiles+ subscription for an additional 10% discount at the time of booking.

How the Amex Avianca LifeMiles 15% Transfer Bonus Works (and the Key Catch)

The core mechanic: Transfer Amex Membership Rewards to Avianca LifeMiles at an effective ratio of 1:1.15 through March 28, 2026. No promo code, no registration, no special link.

Here’s what you need to know about the mechanics:

• Standard ratio: 1,000 Amex MR = 1,000 LifeMiles
• With bonus: 1,000 Amex MR = 1,150 LifeMiles (15% more)
• Minimum transfer: 1,000 Amex points
• Maximum per transaction: 750,000 Amex points (you can do multiple transactions)
• Bonus deadline: March 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM GMT-6 (Central Time)
• Bonus credit timing: Base miles arrive almost instantly; the 15% bonus miles post separately, typically within 24 hours, but allow up to 72 hours

The Key Catch: This Bonus Is Invisible in the Amex Portal

Because Avianca LifeMiles is running this promotion (not Amex), the Amex transfer page will still show a 1:1 ratio. The bonus miles are added on the LifeMiles side after the transfer completes. Don’t panic if you see only the base miles initially—the extra 15% will follow.

This is a common source of confusion. If you’ve read social media posts saying “Amex just dropped a secret bonus,” that framing is slightly misleading. Amex isn’t doing anything different; LifeMiles is crediting extra miles on receipt.

Common mistake: Transferring points and immediately trying to book before the bonus miles post. Wait until you see the full balance (base + bonus) in your LifeMiles account before attempting to ticket an award.

For a deeper look at how transfer bonuses work across all major bank programs, see our guide to transfer bonus strategy.

6 Best LifeMiles Star Alliance Sweet Spots to Target with This Bonus

These are the routes where the 15% Amex Avianca LifeMiles transfer bonus creates the most compelling value compared to paying cash or using competing programs. All LifeMiles figures below reflect standard award chart pricing on lifemiles.com for partner airlines.

1. Lufthansa Business Class: U.S. to Europe

Lufthansa business class on the A350 or 747-8 is a premium product, and LifeMiles is one of the best ways to book it because LifeMiles charges zero fuel surcharges on Lufthansa awards. This is the single biggest advantage over booking through Lufthansa’s own Miles & More program, which can add $500+ in surcharges.

With the bonus, a round-trip in Lufthansa J to Frankfurt or Munich costs roughly 109,566 Amex MR (for 126,000 LifeMiles). That’s outstanding for a product that regularly sells for $6,000–$10,000 round-trip.

Availability tip: Lufthansa releases partner award space sporadically, often 2–3 weeks before departure. Check United.com’s award search to see “saver” availability on Lufthansa metal, then book through LifeMiles.

2. ANA Business Class: U.S. to Japan

ANA’s “The Room” business class is consistently rated among the world’s best, and LifeMiles offers competitive pricing with minimal surcharges. The 15% bonus drops the effective Amex cost to about 65,218 MR one-way—a strong value compared to ANA’s own Mileage Club program (which charges 75,000–88,000 miles depending on season but requires round-trip bookings).

Edge case: ANA releases very limited partner award space to programs like LifeMiles. You’ll often find only 1–2 seats per flight, and only on certain routes (typically JFK–HND, ORD–NRT, LAX–NRT). Search on United.com first, then cross-check on LifeMiles.

3. Turkish Airlines Business Class: U.S. to Istanbul (and Beyond)

Turkish Airlines’ Business Class product is excellent (especially on their 787 and A350 routes), and Istanbul is a natural gateway to the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia. LifeMiles prices this at 63,000 miles one-way from North America with low surcharges.

Why not use Turkish Miles&Smiles instead? Miles&Smiles charges only 45,000 miles for this route in business class, which is cheaper on paper. But Miles&Smiles is not an Amex transfer partner—it’s accessible via Citi points and Capital One miles. If Amex MR is your primary currency, LifeMiles at 54,783 MR (post-bonus) is your best path to Turkish J.

4. Avianca Business Class: U.S. to South America

Booking Avianca’s own metal through LifeMiles tends to have the best availability of any option on this list. Routes from Miami, New York, or Houston to Bogotá, Lima, and other South American cities frequently show saver-level award space. Avianca’s 787 business class is a solid product with lie-flat seats.

At ~43,479 Amex MR one-way after the bonus, this is one of the most accessible premium cabin sweet spots for this promotion.

5. Short-Haul Intra-Europe on Star Alliance Partners

If you’re already in Europe and need a positioning flight or a short hop in business class (think Lufthansa, SWISS, LOT, or Scandinavian Airlines between European cities), LifeMiles prices these at just 15,000 miles one-way. After the bonus, that’s about 13,044 Amex MR.

The CPP can vary widely here. This is best for connecting to a long-haul flight or when cash fares spike during peak travel periods. Not worth it if you can find a €100 economy fare that meets your needs.

6. United Domestic Flights Within the U.S.

This is a niche play, but worth mentioning: LifeMiles can book United-operated domestic flights at fixed award chart rates. When United’s own dynamic pricing inflates awards to 25,000+ miles for a domestic economy ticket, LifeMiles’ fixed 12,500-mile rate (10,870 Amex MR with the bonus) can be a better deal.

Decision rule: Use this only when United’s own pricing is inflated to more than 15,000 miles for the same route. Otherwise, transferring to United directly is simpler.

For a broader look at Star Alliance booking strategies, check our Star Alliance award booking guide for 2026 and the complete guide to booking Star Alliance Business Class awards.

The LifeMiles+ Stacking Play: Combining the Amex Avianca LifeMiles Transfer Bonus with a 10% Award Discount

Here’s where the math gets interesting. LifeMiles+ is Avianca’s subscription program, and the “Lite” tier ($20/month) includes a 10% discount on award bookings. This discount stacks with the 15% transfer bonus.

How the Double Discount Works

Let’s use Lufthansa business class to Europe as the example:

That’s Lufthansa business class, one-way, with no fuel surcharges, for under 50,000 Amex points. A round-trip comes to roughly 98,610 Amex MR.

Is LifeMiles+ Worth Subscribing For?

Best for: Travelers planning to book two or more premium cabin awards during this bonus window. The $20/month cost is easily offset by saving 5,000–10,000 miles per booking.

Not for: One-time bookers with a single economy redemption. The 10% savings on a 12,500-mile domestic flight is only 1,250 miles—not enough to justify even one month’s fee.

Important: LifeMiles+ also prevents your miles from expiring (LifeMiles normally expire after 12 months of inactivity). If you transfer a large balance, the subscription acts as insurance against expiration while you search for availability.

You can learn more about how to combine this with other strategies in our detailed LifeMiles maximization guide.

How to Verify Award Space Before You Transfer Any Amex Points

Rule number one with LifeMiles: never transfer speculatively. LifeMiles has a well-documented history of displaying phantom availability—showing award seats that don’t actually exist or can’t be ticketed.

Step-by-Step Verification Process

1. Search on United.com first. Log in to a United MileagePlus account (free to create) and search for “saver” award availability on your target route and date. Filter by Star Alliance partners. If United shows saver space on Lufthansa, ANA, Turkish, etc., LifeMiles can almost always book it.

   
   

2. Cross-check with ExpertFlyer or SeatSpy. These tools show actual award inventory filed by airlines. Look for “I” class (business saver) or “X” class (economy saver) on your target carrier. Our best award travel tools guide covers how to set up alerts.

   
   

3. Search on LifeMiles.com to confirm pricing. Once you’ve verified space exists through an independent source, check lifemiles.com to see the exact mileage and tax cost. LifeMiles sometimes prices routes differently than expected due to routing rules.

   
   

4. Only then transfer your Amex points. Initiate the transfer, wait for both the base miles and the 15% bonus to post (up to 72 hours), and book immediately.

   
   

Common pitfall: LifeMiles occasionally shows availability for “married segments” (multi-leg itineraries) that aren’t available as individual segments. If you see a routing with a connection that seems too good, verify each flight leg independently.

What If Availability Disappears After You Transfer?

This is the primary risk with any speculative transfer. LifeMiles miles are non-refundable back to Amex once transferred. If your target award disappears:

• Search for alternative dates (within a few days of your target)
• Check other Star Alliance carriers on the same route
• Consider booking a different route entirely
• As a last resort, hold the miles and maintain account activity (via LifeMiles+ or a small miles purchase) to prevent expiration

For a broader understanding of cancellation and change rules across programs, see our award cancellation and change rules guide.

Is This Better Than Transferring Amex to Aeroplan, Flying Blue, or Turkish Miles&Smiles?

The Amex Avianca LifeMiles transfer bonus doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Amex Membership Rewards transfers to several Star Alliance and partner programs. Here’s how LifeMiles (with the 15% bonus) compares for key routes:

Comparison Table: U.S. to Europe Business Class (One-Way)

Key Takeaways from This Comparison

LifeMiles wins when:

• You’re booking on Lufthansa or Turkish metal (zero surcharges through LifeMiles)
• The 15% bonus is active (bringing the effective cost below Aeroplan)
• You want fixed, predictable award chart pricing (no dynamic pricing surprises)

Aeroplan wins when:

• You want a free stopover (LifeMiles doesn’t allow stopovers on most partner awards)
• You’re booking on Air Canada metal with good availability
• No transfer bonus is active on LifeMiles

Flying Blue wins when:

• A promo award or low dynamic price appears (can occasionally beat all fixed charts)
• You’re specifically targeting Air France/KLM metal

Turkish Miles&Smiles wins when:

• You have Citi points or Capital One miles (it’s not accessible from Amex)
• You’re targeting Turkish Airlines metal at 45,000 miles

What About the Amex–Cathay Pacific Change?

Worth noting: Amex changed its Cathay Pacific Asia Miles transfer ratio effective March 1, 2026. This makes LifeMiles a more attractive alternative for Asia-Pacific Star Alliance routings (particularly ANA to Japan) compared to strategies that previously relied on Asia Miles for Cathay Pacific oneworld flights. If your Asia plans involve Star Alliance carriers, the LifeMiles bonus is well-timed.

For a full comparison of all Amex transfer partner valuations, see our Amex Membership Rewards transfer partners guide and our comparison of transfer partners across Chase, Amex, Citi, and Capital One.

Step-by-Step: Complete Your Amex Avianca LifeMiles Transfer Bonus Before March 28, 2026

Here’s the complete workflow, from finding space to ticketing your award.

Pre-Transfer Checklist

• Confirm you have an Avianca LifeMiles account. Create one at lifemiles.com if needed (free). Note your LifeMiles member number.
• Link your LifeMiles account to Amex. In the Amex app or website, go to Membership Rewards → Transfer Points → Avianca LifeMiles, and enter your member number.
• Verify award availability using United.com and/or ExpertFlyer (see verification steps above).
• Calculate your exact Amex MR requirement. Divide the LifeMiles award price by 1.15. If using LifeMiles+, apply the 10% discount first, then divide by 1.15.
• Optional: Subscribe to LifeMiles+ Lite ($20/month) if booking multiple awards or if the 10% discount materially changes your math.

Transfer Steps

1. Log into your Amex account (app or web).
2. Navigate to Membership Rewards → Transfer Points.
3. Select Avianca LifeMiles as the partner.
4. Enter the number of Amex points to transfer. (Remember: the portal shows 1:1. The 15% bonus is applied on the LifeMiles side.)
5. Confirm the transfer. Base miles typically arrive within minutes.
6. Wait for the bonus miles. Check your LifeMiles account after 24 hours. Allow up to 72 hours before contacting support.
7. Once your full balance is available, log into lifemiles.com and book your award.

Timing Considerations

• Transfer deadline: March 28, 2026, 11:59 PM GMT-6. Initiate transfers well in advance—don’t wait until the last minute.
• Booking window: LifeMiles allows bookings up to 355 days in advance for most partners.
• No close-in booking fees: Unlike some programs, LifeMiles doesn’t charge extra for awards booked close to departure.

After Booking

• LifeMiles award tickets are issued directly by Avianca. You’ll receive a confirmation email with your PNR.
• Seat selection is usually available through the operating airline’s website using your PNR.
• Changes and cancellations are subject to LifeMiles’ rules (fees apply). Review the award cancellation rules before committing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Transferring before confirming availability. This is the most frequent and most costly error. LifeMiles transfers from Amex are irreversible.

   
   

2. Ignoring phantom availability. LifeMiles’ search engine sometimes displays space that can’t actually be ticketed. Always verify through a second source (United.com, ExpertFlyer).

   
   

3. Forgetting about mile expiration. LifeMiles expire after 12 months of account inactivity. If you transfer a large balance and don’t book right away, set a calendar reminder or subscribe to LifeMiles+ to keep miles alive.

   
   

4. Overlooking the LifeMiles+ stacking opportunity. For bookings over 50,000 miles, the 10% discount from LifeMiles+ Lite ($20/month) saves more than the subscription costs. Do the math for your specific redemption.

   
   

5. Not comparing against other Amex transfer partners. The 15% bonus makes LifeMiles very competitive, but it doesn’t automatically make it the best option for every route. Check Aeroplan and Flying Blue pricing before committing.

   
   

6. Waiting until March 28 to transfer. Amex transfers are usually fast, but delays happen. Build in a buffer of at least 2–3 days before the deadline.

   
   

Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Use This Bonus

Best For

• Amex MR holders targeting Lufthansa, ANA, or Turkish business class with confirmed saver availability
• Travelers booking Avianca metal to South America, where LifeMiles availability is strongest
• Anyone already subscribed to LifeMiles+ can stack the 10% award discount
• Bookers who value low surcharges (LifeMiles charges zero fuel surcharges on most Star Alliance partners)

Not Ideal For

• Travelers who need stopovers (LifeMiles doesn’t allow free stopovers on most partner awards; Aeroplan is better for this)
• Anyone without confirmed availability (don’t transfer speculatively)
• Bookers targeting oneworld or SkyTeam carriers (LifeMiles only covers Star Alliance)
• People with small Amex balances who can’t reach a meaningful award threshold, even with the 15% bonus

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register for the 15% Amex Avianca LifeMiles transfer bonus? No. The bonus is automatic. Any Amex MR transferred to LifeMiles between February 18 and March 28, 2026, receives the 15% bonus on the LifeMiles side. No promo code or registration link is needed.

Will I see the 15% bonus in the Amex transfer portal? No. The Amex portal will still display a 1:1 ratio. The bonus is credited by Avianca LifeMiles after the transfer completes, typically within 24 hours as a separate deposit.

Can I transfer from Chase, Citi, Capital One, or Bilt to get this bonus? This specific 15% bonus applies only to Amex Membership Rewards transfers. Capital One also transfers to LifeMiles, but check whether a separate Capital One bonus is currently active. Chase, Citi, and Bilt do not transfer directly to LifeMiles.

What’s the maximum I can transfer? Amex caps individual transfers at 750,000 points per transaction, but you can perform multiple transactions. There is no stated cap on the bonus from the LifeMiles side.

How long do LifeMiles last? LifeMiles expire after 12 months of account inactivity. Any qualifying activity (earning, redeeming, or maintaining a LifeMiles+ subscription) resets the clock.

Does LifeMiles charge fuel surcharges? LifeMiles charges zero fuel surcharges on most Star Alliance partner awards, including Lufthansa, ANA, and Turkish Airlines. This is one of the program’s biggest advantages. Taxes and airport fees still apply (usually $30–$80 depending on the route).

Can I book a round-trip with a stopover through LifeMiles? Generally no. LifeMiles does not allow free stopovers on partner airline awards. Each segment is priced independently. If stopovers are important to your itinerary, Aeroplan is a better choice.

What is phantom availability, and how do I avoid it? Phantom availability means LifeMiles’ search engine shows award seats that don’t actually exist or can’t be ticketed. Avoid this by verifying availability on United.com or ExpertFlyer before transferring points. If a flight shows on LifeMiles but not on United’s Saver Search, it’s likely a phantom.

Is the 15% bonus worth it for economy awards? It can be, but the value is lower. A 12,500-mile domestic economy award costs ~10,870 Amex MR with the bonus. That’s decent if United’s dynamic pricing is inflated, but for most economy bookings, the effort of transferring to LifeMiles isn’t justified unless cash fares are high.

Can I cancel a LifeMiles award booking and get my miles back? Yes, but LifeMiles charges a cancellation fee (varies by fare type and timing). Miles are returned to your LifeMiles account, not to Amex. Review the specific cancellation terms before booking.

What happens if the bonus miles don’t post? Allow up to 72 hours. If the bonus still hasn’t appeared, contact LifeMiles customer service with your Amex transfer confirmation. Keep screenshots of the promotion terms as documentation.

Should I transfer all my Amex MR to LifeMiles during this bonus? No. Only transfer the exact amount needed for a confirmed or near-confirmed booking. Transferable points held in Amex MR retain maximum flexibility. Once transferred, miles are locked into the LifeMiles program, subject to its expiration rules and limited redemption options.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The 15% Amex Avianca LifeMiles transfer bonus running through March 28, 2026, is a strong opportunity for Amex Membership Rewards holders who want to book Star Alliance premium cabin awards at reduced cost. The sweet spots are clear: Lufthansa business class to Europe, ANA business class to Japan, Turkish Airlines long-haul, and Avianca to South America all deliver excellent cents-per-point value with this bonus—especially when combined with LifeMiles+ stacking.

Here’s what to do now:

1. Search for availability on your target route using United.com or ExpertFlyer.
2. Run the math for your specific booking: divide the LifeMiles price by 1.15 (or by 1.15 after applying the 10% LifeMiles+ discount) to find your true Amex MR cost.
3. Compare against Aeroplan and Flying Blue for the same route to confirm LifeMiles is your best option.
4. Transfer only what you need, and only after confirming space.
5. Don’t wait until March 28. Build in buffer time for the bonus miles to post.

For the full picture on how LifeMiles fits into the broader Amex transfer partner ecosystem, read our Avianca LifeMiles transfer partners guide. And for a seasonal look at more LifeMiles sweet spots beyond this bonus window, see our guide to maximizing Star Alliance sweet spots through LifeMiles.

ADVERTISEMENT