What the Avianca credit card is and who should consider it

The Avianca credit card is a co-branded card issued by a bank in partnership with Avianca Airlines. It earns points on purchases that you can redeem for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel rewards through Avianca's loyalty program. The card is designed for people who fly Avianca regularly or want to accumulate points toward future trips on that airline.

This card makes sense if you live in a city where Avianca operates routes, fly with them multiple times a year, or want to build up points for a specific trip. If you rarely fly or prefer other airlines, a general travel card or cash-back card might give you more value. The card's worth depends entirely on whether you can actually use the points you earn.

Key Takeaways

  • Avianca credit cards earn points on every purchase, with bonus points on Avianca flights and partner purchases, but the points are only useful if you fly Avianca or its partner airlines.
  • Most Avianca cards charge an annual fee, which you should weigh against the sign-up bonus and the number of flights you take per year.
  • Points expire if your account is inactive for a set period, so you need to use the card or redeem points regularly to avoid losing them.
  • The card's rewards rate and benefits vary by which version you hold, so comparing the specific card's terms before you open it matters more than the Avianca name alone.

How points work and what you can do with them

Every purchase you make on the card earns a set number of points per dollar spent. The exact rate depends on which Avianca card you hold — some earn 1 point per dollar on all purchases, while others earn higher rates on specific categories like dining or gas. When you fly Avianca or book through their website, you earn bonus points on top of your card points.

You redeem points by logging into your Avianca frequent flyer account and booking a flight directly through their website or by calling their reservations line. Points can also go toward seat upgrades, baggage fees, or partner airline tickets if Avianca has a partnership with that airline. The number of points needed for a flight varies by route, season, and how far in advance you book — a short domestic flight might cost 5,000 points while an international flight could cost 50,000 or more.

One critical rule: Avianca points expire if your account has no activity for 12 to 24 months (the exact period depends on the program's current terms). Activity means earning or redeeming points, so if you stop flying and stop using the card, your balance will eventually disappear. Check your card's terms document for the specific expiration policy before you open the account.

Annual fees and sign-up bonuses

Most Avianca credit cards charge an annual fee, typically ranging from $50 to $150 or more depending on the card tier. The card issuer charges this fee once per year, usually on your account anniversary. Some cards waive the first year's fee, so you do not pay anything in year one but will owe the fee starting in year two.

To offset the annual fee, the card usually offers a sign-up bonus — a large point award if you spend a certain amount within the first few months of opening the account. A typical bonus might be 50,000 points if you spend $3,000 in the first three months. Whether this bonus is worth the annual fee depends on whether those points can actually get you a flight you would have bought anyway.

Do the math before you explore: if the sign-up bonus covers a flight you were already planning to take, the card pays for itself. If the bonus sits unused and you pay the annual fee for years without redeeming, you have lost money. Many people cancel the card after the first year if they do not fly enough to justify keeping it.

Rewards on everyday purchases versus Avianca flights

The card earns points on all your purchases — groceries, gas, restaurants, online shopping — not just flights. This is how many cardholders accumulate enough points to redeem without flying constantly. A card that earns 1 point per dollar on all purchases will give you 1,000 points if you spend $1,000 on groceries in a month.

However, the earning rate on everyday purchases is usually lower than what you earn when you actually fly Avianca or book through their site. If you book a flight directly with Avianca using the card, you might earn 3 or 5 points per dollar instead of 1 point per dollar. This bonus encourages you to use the card for Avianca bookings specifically, not just any purchase.

The gap between everyday earning and bonus earning matters if you are trying to decide whether the card is worth the annual fee. If you fly Avianca twice a year and spend $5,000 per year on other purchases, you will earn points faster than someone who flies once a year and spends $2,000 on other purchases. Your earning speed depends on your actual spending and travel patterns.

How the card affects your credit and what happens if you miss a payment

Opening a credit card creates a new account on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. Over time, if you pay your bill on time every month, the card helps your score by showing you can manage credit responsibly. If you miss a payment, the damage is much larger — a late payment stays on your report for seven years and can lower your score by 100 points or more.

The card issuer will charge you a late fee if your payment arrives after the due date, usually $25 to $40 for the first late payment and more for repeat offenses. They will also charge interest on any balance you carry, at a rate set by the card's terms. If you cannot pay the full balance, only the minimum payment is required, but interest will accrue on the remaining balance.

To avoid these costs, set up automatic payments for at least the minimum amount due, or better yet, pay the full balance each month. This way you earn points without paying interest, and your payment history stays clean.

Comparing Avianca cards to other airline cards and general travel cards

Avianca offers more than one credit card version, and the rewards rates, annual fees, and benefits differ between them. Before you open an account, compare the specific card you are considering to other Avianca cards and to non-airline travel cards. A general travel card from a major bank might earn cash back or points that work with any airline, giving you more flexibility if your travel plans change.

The main advantage of an airline-specific card is that points do not expire as quickly and you earn bonus points on that airline's flights. The main disadvantage is that points are worthless if you stop flying that airline. A general travel card gives you more options but may have a lower earning rate on that specific airline.

If you fly Avianca at least twice a year and spend enough on the card to cover the annual fee through points earned, the Avianca card is likely worth it. If you fly once a year or less, or if you split your travel between multiple airlines, a general travel card might serve you better.

What to know about redeeming points and blackout dates

When you redeem points for a flight, you book through Avianca's website or by phone using your frequent flyer account. You do not have to use the credit card itself to redeem — the points sit in your Avianca account, separate from the card. This means you can redeem points even if you close the card later, as long as your frequent flyer account stays active.

Some flights are harder to book with points than others. Avianca may have blackout dates when certain flights cannot be booked with points, or they may charge more points for popular routes during peak travel times. Off-peak flights typically cost fewer points, so flexibility in your travel dates can stretch your points further.

The number of points needed for a flight is not fixed — it changes based on demand and availability. Booking far in advance usually costs fewer points than booking last-minute. If you see a flight you want, redeeming when ready is often smarter than waiting, because the point price may go up as the departure date approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to fly Avianca to make the card worth it?

No, but you need to redeem the points eventually. If you earn points on everyday purchases but never fly Avianca, the points will expire unused and you will have paid the annual fee for nothing. The card works best if you fly Avianca at least once a year or have a specific trip planned where you can use the points.

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Your points stay in your Avianca frequent flyer account and do not disappear when you close the card. However, if your frequent flyer account becomes inactive for 12 to 24 months, the points will expire. You can keep the account active by earning or redeeming points, even without the card.

Can I transfer Avianca points to another airline?

Avianca has partnerships with other airlines, so you can sometimes book partner airline flights using Avianca points. You cannot transfer points directly to another airline's program, but you can redeem them for partner airline tickets through Avianca's booking system. Check which airlines are partners before you assume you can use your points elsewhere.

Is the sign-up bonus worth paying the annual fee?

Only if you can redeem the bonus points for a flight you were already planning to take. If the bonus is 50,000 points and a flight you want costs 40,000 points, the bonus covers your trip and the annual fee is justified. If you earn the bonus but have no trip planned, the points may expire before you use them and you will have paid the fee for nothing.

What if I have a balance I cannot pay off right away?

Interest will accrue on any balance you carry month to month. The card's interest rate is set in your terms document and is usually between 15% and 25% depending on your credit score. Carrying a balance makes the card much more expensive than the annual fee alone, so pay off what you can each month to avoid interest charges.