Avianca LifeMiles is running one of its best buy-miles promotions: up to a 145% bonus on purchased miles, which works out to about 1.35 cents per mile. The sale ends October 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (GMT-6). We bought LifeMiles during a sale last year and have been flying on them ever since, so here’s how the deal works and why we like it.
The deal (as of October 2026)
| Miles purchased | Bonus | Approx. cost per mile |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 to 20,000 | 125% | 1.53¢ |
| 21,000 to 50,000 | 135% | 1.50¢ |
| 51,000 to 200,000 | 145% | 1.35¢ |
- Example: buying 200,000 miles costs about $6,600, and with the 145% bonus you get 490,000 miles in total.
- Limits: up to 200,000 miles per transaction before the bonus, and LifeMiles caps total purchases each year. Check the terms at checkout.
- Targeted: some members see different bonus levels, so log in to see your own offer before you buy.
- Ends: October 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. GMT-6.
How we use LifeMiles: 4 to 5 cents per mile
We bought LifeMiles during a sale last year, and we use them all the time to fly between the US and Central America on Avianca and its Star Alliance partners. On those routes, we often get 4 to 5 cents of value per mile compared with the cash fare. Buying at about 1.35 cents and redeeming at 4 to 5 cents means we get roughly three times what we paid. That’s just insane, and it’s why we watch for these sales.
Two things make it even better for us. We pay with the avianca lifemiles credit card from Cardless, which gives us Silver status and bonus miles on LifeMiles purchases. And we currently hold Star Alliance Gold, which adds lounge access and an extra bag on our Avianca trips.
How to buy
- Log in to your LifeMiles account at lifemiles.com (joining is free).
- Go to the Buy Miles page and check which bonus your account is offered.
- Pick an amount. The 145% tier starts at 51,000 miles.
- Pay with a card that earns a bonus on airline or LifeMiles purchases. LifeMiles processes the sale directly, so it usually counts as an airline purchase.
- Yes, if you have a trip in mind. LifeMiles is known for Star Alliance awards with no fuel surcharges, and premium cabin awards can be worth far more than 1.35 cents per mile.
- Don’t speculate. Award prices and availability change, so buy for a redemption you can actually find, not “just in case.”
- Compare with the cash fare. If a cheap economy ticket costs less than the miles would, pay cash.
- Keep miles active. LifeMiles can expire after a period without activity, though Cardless says miles don’t expire for as long as you use its card.
Is it worth it?
Our take
At about 1.35 cents per mile, this is one of the cheapest ways to buy Star Alliance award travel. For us, flying between the US and Central America at 4 to 5 cents per mile, it’s a no-brainer. Just buy only what you’ll use, and book soon after you buy.
Sale terms and bonus levels are as reported in October 2026 and may be targeted. Confirm the offer in your LifeMiles account before buying. Points Capital does not use affiliate links on this page.
Sources: One Mile at a Time: Buy Avianca LifeMiles with up to 145% bonus; AwardWallet: Buy LifeMiles with up to a 145% bonus; LifeMiles.
