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Citi is offering a 25% transfer bonus on transfers to Avianca LifeMiles. That could make for some fantastic values if you’re flush with ThankYou points. This one is just a short-term bonus — it expires 12/12/18.
The Deal
- Get a 25% transfer bonus when transferring from Citi ThankYou Rewards to Avianca LifeMiles (1,000 ThankYou = 1,250 LifeMiles)
Key Terms
- Offer is valid for transfers to Avianca LifeMiles completed by 11:59pm ET on December 12, 2018
Quick Thoughts
My first thought is that I’m bummed that I won’t have time for another statement to cut before December 12th as I’d like to have more ThankYou points with which to take advantage of this.
Avianca LifeMiles has some great value spots on its award chart. I’ve used it a number of times this year for flights within US Zone 1. Flights within a single US zone on United are 7500 miles one-way (plus a $25 booking fee and $5.60). With the transfer bonus, that means you’d only need 6,000 Citi ThankYou points to book a one-way. What I like about this spot on the Avianca chart is that it isn’t limited to direct flights. Here are the regions within the US:
As you can see, Zones 1 and 2 each cover a good bit of ground.
Furthermore, the LifeMiles chart has some other awesome values and hack-ability. Here are some posts we’ve written about Avianca LifeMiles:
- Avianca LifeMiles’ awesome mixed-cabin award pricing. First Class for less.
- My first Avianca LifeMiles redemption: easy as . . .
- How to keep your Avianca LifeMiles alive
Of course, Avianca also has some solid values for premium cabins and they do not pass on fuel surcharges. Star Alliance business class to Europe is 63K one-way and first class (with no fuel surcharges on Lufthansa) is 87K. With the transfer bonus, those drop to just 50,400 and 66,400 respectively. Lufthansa first class without fuel surcharges for just over 66K points is pretty terrific indeed — and you can do even better if you read the first class for less post above (though note that you’ll need to transfer in increments of 1K).
Here’s a link to Avianca’s full award chart. Like I said, I’m disappointed that I’ve used ThankYou points for some other recent transfers and won’t have time to top off my account the way I’d like.
Transfers to Avianca from Citi are instant. As always, we’ve added this to our Current point transfer bonuses page.
H/T: View from the Wing
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Is this a really rare deal or do you think it’ll be offered a year from now again? I already have two upcoming trips planned in 2019. I wouldn’t use these points (I have 50K in my Citi TY Premier account right now) until Spring/Summer 2020 at the earliest for a trip to Europe.
I’m hesitating because I know the points will only be active for a year after I transfer it to my LIfemiles account, although I could credit the miles I’ll earn on my flight to Hong Kong in March 2019 (through Singapore/Star Alliance).
Avianca was only added as a transfer partner this year, so it’s hard to say for sure, but Citi runs transfer bonuses to most airlines now and again. I expect it would likely come around again. I wouldn’t suggest transferring speculatively for the possibility of a 2020 trip. You never know when miles will devalue. I’d only transfer if you have pretty firm plans to use them soon.
Also, to keep them alive beyond a year, just transfer 1,000 miles in from Citi or Amex. See this post:
https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-keep-your-avianca-lifemiles-alive/
It’s interesting that the terms say “completed by” instead of “initiated by.” I suppose you probably had to do this yesterday to be safe.
I’ve transferred from Citi to Avianca several times — it’s been instant every time. I also transferred from Capital One to Avianca yesterday to test and that was also instant. I wouldn’t be too concerned about doing it today (and in fact I intend to make a transfer later tonight).
Just to follow up, I transferred at 11:28pm Eastern. Posted instantly as expected with the 25% bonus. No issues.
Thanks
Is the $25 booking fee per person or per itenerary?
Per person.
It works! LifeMiles appeared with 25% bonus in my account right away.
Now I have 841 ThankYou points remaining and I need to cancel my ThankYou Premier card. What to do with those points? Is there an easy way to earn 159 TY points so I can transfer another 1000 to LifeMiles?
Spend $53 on gas.