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Star Alliance carrier Avianca brings back O'Hare-to-Bogota flights after 5-year hiatus

July 13, 2024
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3 min read
Avianca Airbus A320 Punta Cana Airport PUJ
Star Alliance carrier Avianca brings back O'Hare-to-Bogota flights after 5-year hiatus
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Colombia’s flag is adding service in the Windy City. Starting in late October, Avianca will launch nonstop service to Bogota from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) following a five-year break.

The move will mark the Bogota-based airline’s first time serving the route from Chicago since 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic. The carrier will operate daily flights from O'Hare to its home base, El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogota.

As a Star Alliance partner with a LifeMiles loyalty program popular for redemption sweet spots, it makes sense the carrier would bolster its footprint in the home city of United Airlines.

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Bogota, Colombia. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Route details

Avianca will operate its service between Chicago and the Colombian capital city daily with an Airbus A320 aircraft, which has a total capacity of 180 passengers.

Here’s how the itinerary shakes out:

  • ORD-BOG — departs 2:35 p.m., arrives 8:25 p.m.
  • BOG-ORD — departs 7:00 a.m., arrives 1:15 p.m.

More Avianca, LifeMiles opportunity

Avianca currently serves 13 U.S. cities. That includes Chicago service it currently operates from Guatemala City — a route that launched this past winter.

Even prior to the announcement of this newest route, the carrier’s total seats to the U.S. in 2024 was set to rise 27% over 2023 — and by nearly 38% over 2019, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.

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Loyalty basics: Best ways to earn airline miles

Though plenty of travelers may be eager to fly Avianca on this newest route, keep in mind that its LifeMiles program remains a useful bet even if you never (or rarely, at least) step foot on an Avianca aircraft.

The program is known for its award chart that often produces sweet spots for Star Alliance redemptions, including domestic U.S. flights aboard United.

American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Bilt Rewards all transfer to Avianca LifeMiles at a 1:1 rate.

Hoping to earn enough points for your next redemption? Here are some of the best credit card welcome offers we're seeing this month.

Related reading:

Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.