Avianca LifeMiles is offering a 15% transfer bonus on all Amex Membership Rewards points moved to LifeMiles through July 15, 2026. This means your Amex points go further for booking United and other Star Alliance award flights, making this one of the most valuable transfer bonuses for international travelers this summer.
Our Take
Good news for Star Alliance flyers and award optimizers. This 15% transfer bonus is a strong play for anyone looking to squeeze extra value from Amex points, especially with LifeMiles’ already competitive award pricing. By our valuation (2¢/point for Amex MR, 1.4¢/mile for LifeMiles), this bonus lets you stretch your rewards even further—making international business and first class redemptions more accessible than usual.
What Changed
- Transfer bonus: 15% extra LifeMiles on all Amex Membership Rewards transfers
- Effective dates: Now through July 15, 2026
- Bonus is offered by LifeMiles, not Amex (bonus miles post on the LifeMiles side)
Who Benefits Most
- Star Alliance award hunters: Booking a United Polaris business class flight (typically 63,000 LifeMiles) now requires just 54,783 Amex points (~$1,096 value at our valuation, up from $960 without the bonus).
- Amex cardholders with large MR balances: Transferring 100,000 Amex points nets 115,000 LifeMiles—enough for a roundtrip business class ticket between the US and Europe (worth ~$1,610 at our valuations).
- Travelers eyeing premium cabins: LifeMiles is known for low surcharges and access to rare first class seats (like Lufthansa), so this bonus can save you thousands of points on aspirational trips.
- Last-minute bookers: LifeMiles often shows last-seat availability on United and other partners, so this bonus can help you secure hard-to-find award space at a discount.
Who Should Be Cautious
- Travelers who don’t have immediate plans: LifeMiles can be devalued without notice, and transferred miles can’t be reversed—don’t transfer speculatively.
- Those who prefer Oneworld or SkyTeam: This bonus only helps with Star Alliance awards; if you fly American, Delta, or their partners, it’s not relevant.
- Amex MR maximizers seeking higher value: While 1.4¢/mile is solid, some may prefer to transfer MR points to partners like ANA or Air Canada Aeroplan for even higher value redemptions.
What To Do Right Now
- Check your Amex Membership Rewards balance and review upcoming travel plans on Star Alliance carriers.
- Search for award availability on LifeMiles.com before transferring—award space can be quirky.
- If you find a flight, transfer the exact number of Amex points needed (remember, you’ll get 15% more miles on the LifeMiles side).
- Complete your transfer and book your award ticket promptly, as award space can disappear quickly.
- Act by July 15, 2026, to ensure you receive the bonus.
