LIMITED TIME: Capital One Offers 15% Transfer Bonus to Avianca LifeMiles Through August 31st
LIMITED TIME: Capital One Offers 15% Transfer Bonus to Avianca LifeMiles Through August 31st
The Deal
Capital One is offering a 15% transfer bonus when you transfer Capital One miles to Avianca LifeMiles through August 31st, 2025. With this bonus, you'll get 1,150 LifeMiles for every 1,000 Capital One miles transferred—giving you extra value for your next award redemption.
Key Details
- Offer: 15% bonus on transfers from Capital One miles to Avianca LifeMiles
- Transfer Rate: 1,000 Capital One miles → 1,150 Avianca LifeMiles (normally 1:1)
- Valid Through: August 31st, 2025
- Minimum Transfer: Varies by Capital One card (typically 1,000 miles)
- Transfer Time: Usually instant, but can take up to 24 hours
- Restrictions: Standard Capital One transfer terms apply
Why This Matters
While 15% isn't the largest transfer bonus we've seen, it's particularly valuable coming from Capital One, which offers transfer bonuses far less frequently than American Express or Chase. This bonus is especially noteworthy because:
Avianca LifeMiles offers exceptional value for Star Alliance redemptions without fuel surcharges. Business class flights to Europe typically cost 69,000-80,000 LifeMiles but would normally include $700-1,000 in fuel surcharges on Lufthansa—making this a significant savings opportunity.
Limited competition this month. With fewer transfer bonuses available from other programs, this 15% boost provides a rare opportunity to maximize your Capital One miles' value.
Perfect timing for fall travel planning. Award availability for September through November travel is typically better than peak summer months, making this an ideal time to book.
Best Avianca LifeMiles Redemptions
US to Europe Business Class (69,000-80,000 LifeMiles)
The standout value here is no fuel surcharges. While you'd normally pay $700-1,000 in surcharges on Lufthansa business class, Avianca LifeMiles bookings avoid these fees entirely—making this one of the best ways to get to Europe in premium cabins.
US to South America Business Class (35,000+ LifeMiles)
Competitive Star Alliance pricing to both Northern and Southern South America with no fuel surcharges. You can also mix cabins on partner awards to save miles if you need positioning flights.
US Domestic Economy (7,500 LifeMiles)
Excellent value for United flights within a single "zone" (the US is split into 3 zones). Perfect for short-haul domestic trips at a fraction of typical award costs.
Mixed Cabin Awards (Varies)
Avianca's unique pricing allows you to book part of your trip in first/business class and part in economy, often at lower total costs than booking all premium cabins.
How to Get This Deal
- Check award availability first at LifeMiles.com before transferring (create a free account if needed)
- Log into your Capital One account and navigate to rewards
- Select "Transfer to Partners" and choose Avianca LifeMiles
- Enter your transfer amount (minimum varies by card)
- Complete the transfer and receive the 15% bonus automatically
Important Warnings
Always verify availability before transferring. Avianca's award availability often differs from what you'll see on United.com or other Star Alliance partners. Their phone agents typically can't see better availability than what's shown online.
LifeMiles expire after 12 months of account inactivity. Redeeming miles doesn't count as activity, but purchasing miles does. Consider this before making large speculative transfers.
Transfer bonuses can end without notice. While this offer is scheduled through August 31st, Avianca has a history of unannounced program changes.
The Bottom Line
This 15% Capital One to Avianca LifeMiles transfer bonus offers solid value for travelers planning Star Alliance redemptions, especially to Europe where you'll avoid costly fuel surcharges. While not the highest bonus we've seen, it's worth considering if you have specific redemptions in mind.
Who should transfer: Capital One cardholders with concrete travel plans who've already verified award availability on LifeMiles.com.
Who should wait: Those without specific redemption targets or who prefer keeping points in transferable currencies until needed.
FAQ
Q: Which Capital One cards can transfer to Avianca LifeMiles?
A: Most Capital One travel cards participate, including the Venture X, Venture, VentureOne, and Spark Miles cards. Check your specific card's transfer partners list.
Q: How long do transfers take?
A: Capital One transfers to Avianca are typically instant but can take up to 24 hours. Plan accordingly if you need to book quickly.
Q: Can I transfer LifeMiles back to Capital One?
A: No, transfers are one-way only. Once you transfer to LifeMiles, you can't reverse the transaction.
Q: Are there any transfer fees?
A: Capital One doesn't charge transfer fees, but some cards have minimum transfer amounts (usually 1,000 miles).
Q: Is this better than using the Capital One travel portal?
A: It depends on your redemption. The portal typically offers 1¢ per mile value, while strategic LifeMiles redemptions can exceed 2¢ per mile value, making the transfer worthwhile even with the bonus.
