Sweet Spot Sunday: Use Avianca LifeMiles to save on United domestic short-haul awards
Quick summary
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United Airlines flies to just about everywhere in the U.S. So collecting airline miles that allow you to fly on United is a smart move for anyone with domestic travel in their future.
The simple approach would be to collect and redeem United Airlines miles to achieve your goals. But often you're better off redeeming Avianca LifeMiles instead.
Avianca partners with United Airlines. You can book United flights with Avianca miles — and if you're booking short-haul flights, you'll probably pay much less depending on where you're traveling.
Why it's special
The amount of miles United Airlines charges for any given domestic flight is difficult to predict. A short coach flight may cost 9,000 miles one day and 15,000 miles the next. And while you may occasionally stumble upon some showstopper deals, you'll often find that the same flights through Avianca cost significantly fewer miles.
For example, a flight from Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Myrtle Beach costs 7,500 Avianca LifeMiles plus taxes and fees.
But if you booked the same flight through the United website, you'll pay 12,500 United miles plus taxes and fees. By booking through Avianca, you'll save 5,000 miles each way.
Here's another example. When booking a flight from Austin to New Orleans, you'll pay 6,500 Avianca LifeMiles plus taxes and fees.
Booking that same flight through United Airlines will again cost 12,500 United miles plus taxes and fees. That's a savings of 6,000 miles.
Add to this the fact that it's considerably easier to earn Avianca miles than to earn United miles. Avianca may be your award currency of choice if you fly around the U.S. regularly.
Related: Here's why you need a healthy stash of Avianca LifeMiles
How to book this award
1. Log in and enter your travel details
To book United Airlines flights with Avianca LifeMiles, you'll first need to log into your LifeMiles account. Then enter your domestic origin and destination airports.
Remember, shorter flights tend to be the best deals. As long as United serves those airports, the search results should return the flights you're after.
2. Find eligible dates
You're now taken to a calendar where you can view dates with available award space. Blue dots indicate that you'll find award seats.
The downside to booking United flights through Avianca tends to be that less award space exists — particularly if you're a United Airlines credit cardholder or if you've got United elite status. That's because United gives these members access to hidden award space that can't be found anywhere else.
3. Choose your United flight (and compare prices with the United website)
Click on the date you want and you'll be given a list of available flights. You can clearly see if the flights are operated by United by looking at the icon next to each flight.
Be sure to compare these prices to the prices on United's website, as United Airlines may sometimes be the cheaper option thanks to dynamic pricing.
Related: Can't find award availability with Avianca LifeMiles? Don't give up until you try this trick
How to earn points for this award
United Airlines is a transfer partner of Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy. These flexible currencies aren't particularly difficult to earn, so United miles are relatively easy to rack up. However, Avianca LifeMiles are significantly easier to earn. They're a transfer partner of the following transferable points programs:
- American Express Membership Rewards (1:1 transfer ratio).
- Brex Rewards (1:1 transfer ratio).
- Capital One miles (1:1 transfer ratio).
- Citi ThankYou Rewards (1:1 transfer ratio).
- Marriott Bonvoy (3:1 transfer ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every increment of 60,000 points you transfer).
In other words, you can quite effortlessly achieve a small fortune of LifeMiles by opening cards such as:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
- Citi Premier® Card: (see rates and fees)Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Avianca also publishes generous points sales a few times each year. We recently saw the opportunity to purchase LifeMiles with up to a 145% bonus.
Related: The buy points and miles promotions worth considering
Bottom line
If you use United Airlines miles for short-haul flights around the U.S., consider shifting your points and miles strategy toward Avianca LifeMiles. You'll often find that redeeming LifeMiles for United Airlines flights will give you significantly more value than United's own program.