The flag carrier of Colombia has officially revealed its updated credit card offerings in the United States. The two new avianca cards on the American Express network are tailored for frequent flyers with perks, including elite status in the Star Alliance network and up to 100,000 bonus LifeMiles.

Twice as nice

The second-largest carrier in South America, avianca was named the most punctual airline of 20announcement of the two options on the American Express network.

Both the cards are available now and were designed to help travelers maximize rewards across avianca's considerable network and the broader Star Alliance range of destinations. Simple Flying attended the unveiling of the new cards held at the Amex Centurion Lounge in New York City. 

The two cards are launched concurrently with avianca's lifemiles+ subscription loyalty program, which features benefits such as points multipliers, monthly bonus miles, and redemption discounts.

The avianca lifemiles American Express Card

The entry-level card has a $99 annual fee and offers various rewards and benefits. The headline feature is a bonus of up to 40,000 LifeMiles after spending a minimum of $3000 in the first 90 days. Cardholders also earn 2 lifemiles for every $1 spent on purchases with avianca, LifeMiles, restaurants, and groceries, along with 1 lifemile on all other purchases.

Additionally, the card comes with Star Alliance elite status (discussed below), a 5% redemption discount on avianca airlines flights booked through the lifemiles website, no foreign transaction fees, and prevents your lifemiles from expiring as long as the card is active.

Notably, the cards can be used immediately upon approval thanks to the pioneering partnership with Cardless, the company behind the airline cards for Qatar Airways, TAP Air Portugal, and LATAM.

The avianca lifemiles American Express Elite Card

The premium card has an annual fee of $250 and offers the opportunity to earn up to 100,000 airline miles, which is currently the largest welcome bonus in the US. The lifemiles bonus is split between an award of 60,000 miles after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days and 40,000 miles after spending $25,000 in the first 12 months.

The earning rate for the Elite card is as follows, with the ability to double up to 1,000 miles a month for additional points:

• 3x lifemiles on all avianca airlines and lifemiles purchases (some in-flight purchases may be processed through a third party and receive the standard 1 mile)
• 2x lifemiles on dining and restaurants
• 2x lifemiles on all other travel, including hotels, taxis, and other airlines
• 1x lifemile on everything else.

Cardholders also receive complimentary access to the airline's new monthly subscription program, lifemiles+ Lite. The program provides a 10% miles redemption rebate on Star Alliance flights, up to 25% miles redemption discount on avianca flights, and up to 40% more miles on hotel and rental car cars bookings made through lifemiles.com, which also come with a discount of up to 10%.

As a bonus, Eite cardholders will also receive 500 miles per month in their account through the subscription and the opportunity to subscribe for a higher tier lifemiles+ tier at a reduced rate.

Star Alliance elite status

Avianca is a member of Star Alliance, which includes Air Canada, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines. The airline's loyalty program members can earn and redeem miles for travel to more than 1,300 destinations worldwide through the alliance's network. Notably, both the new cards come with lifemiles Silver Status, which is equivalent to Star Alliance Silver Status.

Earning elite status through the avianca cards provides benefits for members flying on any Star Alliance carrier worldwide and includes the following perks:

• Complimentary lounge access and companion passes for avianca's 12 VIP lounges
• Priority services such as check-in, boarding, and baggage handling
• Priority reservations waitlist & priority stand-by on Star Alliance flights
• Gold Track priority airport security and immigration lanes
• Additional checked baggage allowance and 10% discount on premium seat purchases
• 30% bonus miles accrued on avianca flights.

In addition to its Star Alliance partners, avianca also has partnerships with Spanish flag carrier Iberia, Delta Air Lines' joint venture partner Aeromexico, and Brazilian low-cost carrier GOL.