The Avianca LifeMiles Elite earns 4.0X on airlines, 2.0X on dining, 1.0X on all_purchases with a $250 annual fee.
Our Verdict
The Avianca LifeMiles Elite is a points rewards card from First that carries a $250/yr on the visa network. At its core it earns 1.0X LifeMiles on everyday purchases, making it straightforward for cardholders who want predictable, consistent returns.
Points enthusiasts will find the most flexibility with the Avianca LifeMiles Elite. LifeMiles can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, statement credits, or transferred to loyalty partners. Cardholders who maximize transfer partners often extract 1.5–2+ cents per point, well above face value.
The $250/yr fee is the key variable — run the numbers against your actual spending. If the rewards and benefits offset the fee, this card earns its place in your wallet. If not, consider a comparable no-fee alternative.
Apply for the Avianca LifeMiles Elite →Rewards Structure
Fee Analysis
The Avianca LifeMiles Elite charges $250 per year. To justify this fee, you need to earn at least $250 in rewards and benefits annually.
At the base 1X earn rate (valued at ~1 cent per dollar), you would need to spend approximately $25,000/year on the card to break even on the annual fee through rewards alone — not counting perks and benefits.
Premium cards like this typically pay for themselves through travel credits, lounge access, hotel status, and insurance protections. The fee is worth it if you actively use at least 2-3 of these benefits.
Where This Card Earns Bonus Rewards
| Category | MCC Code | Bonus Rate | Example Merchants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airlines | 4511 Airlines, Air Carriers ( not listed elsewhere) | 4x | Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeromexico, Air Arabia |
| Dining | 5812 Eating places and Restaurants | 2x | Acapulco Restaurant, Another Broken Egg, Applebee's, Applebee's - Albuquerque |
| Dining | 5813 Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages), Bars, Taverns, Cocktail lounges, Nightclubs and Discotheques | 2x | AMF Bowling Centers, Angry Orchard, Applebee's Bar, Bar Louie |
| Dining | 5814 Fast Food Restaurants | 2x | Arby's, Arby's - Albuquerque, Arby's - Anaheim, Arby's - Anchorage |
Click any MCC code or merchant name to see all cards that earn bonus rewards there.
Benefits
Effective Annual Fee
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- 4X top earn rate on bonus categories
- No foreign transaction fees
Weaknesses
- $250 annual fee
- 1X base rate on non-bonus spending
How to Apply
You can apply for the Avianca LifeMiles Elite directly through First's website. The application takes about 5 minutes and requires your Social Security number, annual income, and housing payment information. Most applicants receive an instant decision. Note that the $250 annual fee is typically not charged until your first statement closes.
Before applying, check if you are pre-approved on First's website — a pre-approval uses a soft pull and does not affect your credit score.