Avianca to Launch New Credit Card, Bonus Of Up To 60,000 Miles For Previous Cardholders

U.S. Bank used to issue the Avianca credit card, but they recently parted ways with existing cardholders being automatically converted to the U.S. Bank FlexPerks Visa card (with a sign up bonus of 20,000 FlexPerks points with $500 in spend). At the time it wasn’t clear if Avianca would be partnering with another U.S. based credit card issuer or not, although it was highly suspected they would due to the fact that they so often sell miles at a discount.

Recently previous cardholders were sent an e-mail stating that they would be issuing a new credit card with an undisclosed credit card partner. They also provided the following details about the card:

• LM3 for every dollar spent on Avianca purchases
• LM2 for every dollar spent at gas stations and grocery stores
• LM1 for every dollar spent on all other purchases
• Two 50% discounts on award tickets redeemed for travel to Central America or Colombia from the United States
• Free additional bag for travel between the United States and Central America
• No foreign transaction fees
• 15% discount on purchases of miles with Multiply Your Miles

Existing cardholders were also told that they will have the chance to earn a sign up bonus of up to 60,000 miles based on their historical level of use of the credit card. The best bonus that the U.S. bank card ever offered was 40,000 miles. We don’t know exactly when the new card will be released, by previous cardholders were also told that they would receive communication in the coming months so I’d expect a launch by the end of 2016.

I’m really not sure who would pick up this portfolio, I would think that Citi would be out of the equation as they generally like one travel partner per category (e.g American Airlines for air travel) and I’d think the addition would be too niche for Chase. American Express might be looking to bolster their portfolio after the Costco exit, but my money is on either Barclaycard or Comenity bank (or possibly even First National Bank of Omaha). Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

The full e-mail that was sent to previous cardholders can be seen below:

We are excited to announce that we expect to launch new and improved Avianca LifeMiles credit cards in the coming months in the United States. These cards will provide qualifying members the chance to earn miles faster and to receive other benefits, which we currently expect will include:

Welcome Bonus of up to LM60.000 for purchases made within the first 90 days*
LM3 for every dollar spent on Avianca purchases
LM2 for every dollar spent at gas stations and grocery stores
LM1 for every dollar spent on all other purchases
Two 50% discounts on award tickets redeemed for travel to Central America or Colombia from the United States
Free additional bag for travel between the United States and Central America
No foreign transaction fees
15% discount on purchases of miles with Multiply Your Miles
Within a few days, your current Avianca LifeMiles U.S. BANK credit card will no longer be active. Please note that any miles you earn through your June statement closing date will be moved to your LifeMiles account and will be available to redeem. You will not lose the miles you’ve earned.

Expect to receive another email from us in the next few months as we finalize the terms and conditions of the new Avianca LifeMiles credit cards with the new participating bank, with more information and an invitation to apply for one of the new cards.”

*The exact Welcome Bonus amount will be determined by your historical level of use of the credit card.

 

Hat tip to The Value Traveler