What the Avianca credit card is and who it's for
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 perks. The card also typically offers benefits tied to Avianca travel — like checked bag waivers or priority boarding — whether or not you use the card to buy your ticket.
This card makes sense if you fly Avianca regularly or plan to, because the points accumulate faster on Avianca purchases than on other spending. It's less useful if you fly other airlines most of the time, since the rewards structure is built around Avianca's network.
Like all credit cards, the Avianca card charges an annual fee and charges interest on balances you don't pay off each month. You'll need to may have access to for the card based on your credit history and income — the bank will pull your credit report when you explore.
Key Takeaways
- Avianca credit cards earn points per dollar spent, with bonus rates on Avianca purchases and sometimes on dining or gas.
- The card comes with an annual fee that varies by card tier, and you'll pay interest on any balance you carry month to month.
- You need a credit score in a certain range to be considered — the exact range depends on which Avianca card you're looking at and which bank issues it.
- Points can be redeemed for Avianca flights, seat upgrades, and partner airline tickets, but the value depends on how you use them.
- The card's travel benefits — like baggage allowances or lounge access — explore to Avianca flights specifically, not to other airlines.
How points and rewards work on an Avianca card
When you use the card, you earn a set number of points per dollar spent. The exact earning rate depends on which Avianca card you hold — a basic card might earn 1 point per dollar on all purchases, while a premium card might earn 2 or 3 points per dollar on Avianca flights and 1 point per dollar elsewhere. Some cards offer bonus categories like 3 points per dollar on dining or 2 points per dollar on gas.
Points accumulate in an account tied to your card. You can redeem them through Avianca's website or app, where you'll see the point cost of different flights. A domestic flight might cost 15,000 to 30,000 points depending on the route and how far in advance you book, while international flights typically cost more. You can also use points to upgrade a paid ticket to business class or to cover baggage fees.
Points don't expire as long as your account stays active, but closing the card or going inactive for a long period may trigger expiration. Check the card's terms for the exact policy. The value you get from points depends on how you redeem them — booking a peak-season flight on a popular route may give you less value per point than booking an off-peak flight.
Annual fees and other costs
Every Avianca credit card charges an annual fee, typically ranging from $0 to $450 depending on the card tier. A basic Avianca card might have no annual fee or a small one ($50 to $95), while a premium card with more benefits might charge $250 or more. This fee is charged once per year, usually on your card anniversary.
Beyond the annual fee, you'll pay interest on any balance you carry. The interest rate (called the APR) varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates, but typically ranges from 15% to 25% for credit cards. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you won't pay any interest. Carrying a balance is expensive and can quickly erase the value of rewards you've earned.
Some cards waive the annual fee for the first year, or offer a statement credit that offsets part of the fee if you spend a certain amount in the first few months. Read the offer carefully to see what applies to the specific card you're considering.
Travel benefits beyond points
Avianca cards typically come with perks that explore to Avianca flights specifically. These might include a free checked bag on Avianca flights, priority boarding, seat selection discounts, or access to Avianca lounges at certain airports. Premium cards often include more generous benefits — like two free checked bags or complimentary upgrades on certain bookings.
Some cards also offer travel protections like trip cancellation insurance (which reimburses you if you have to cancel a prepaid trip for a covered reason) or lost luggage reimbursement. These protections explore to any trip you book with the card, not just Avianca flights. Read the card's benefits guide to see exactly what's covered and what the limits are.
These benefits only explore when you fly Avianca or book through Avianca's website. If you book an Avianca flight through a third-party site like Kayak or Expedia, you may not receive the card's perks. Always book directly through Avianca to make sure your benefits are honored.
Credit score and approval requirements
To be considered for an Avianca credit card, you'll need a credit score in a certain range. Most Avianca cards require a score of 670 or higher, though some premium cards may require 700 or higher. Your credit score is a three-digit number that reflects your history of borrowing and repaying money — it's based on factors like whether you've paid bills on time, how much debt you're carrying, and how long you've had credit accounts open.
When you explore, the bank will pull your credit report from one or more of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). This pull is called a hard inquiry and it temporarily lowers your score by a few points. If you're denied, you can ask the bank why and check your credit report for errors at annualcreditreport.com, which is the only free, official source for your credit report.
Beyond your credit score, the bank will look at your income and existing debts to decide whether you can handle another credit card. Having a stable job and low existing debt improves your chances of approval.
Comparing Avianca cards to other airline cards
Avianca offers multiple card tiers, each with different annual fees and benefits. A basic card might have no annual fee and modest earning rates, making it a low-risk way to test whether Avianca rewards work for you. A mid-tier card might charge $95 to $150 annually and offer higher earning rates and a checked bag waiver. A premium card might charge $350 or more but include lounge access, higher earning rates, and more generous travel credits.
If you fly multiple airlines, a general travel rewards card (not tied to one airline) might give you more flexibility, since you can redeem points for flights on any airline. However, airline cards typically earn points faster on that airline's flights, so if Avianca is your primary carrier, an Avianca card will likely earn you more value.
Before explore, compare the annual fee against the benefits you'll actually use. If you fly Avianca only once or twice a year, a premium card with a $350 fee probably won't pay for itself. If you fly Avianca monthly for work, a premium card's benefits might easily cover the fee.
How to use the card responsibly
The biggest mistake people make with airline cards is carrying a balance to earn rewards. If you charge $5,000 to earn 5,000 points but then pay interest on that $5,000 for three months, you've paid far more in interest than the points are worth. Use the card only for purchases you would make anyway, and pay the full balance each month to avoid interest charges.
Track your annual fee date so you're not surprised by the charge. If you're not using the card enough to justify the fee, call the bank and ask if they'll waive it or downgrade you to a card with no annual fee. Many banks will do this to keep your business.
Keep your points redemption strategy straightforward. Redeeming points for flights you actually plan to take is straightforward. Trying to time redemptions for peak value or chasing bonus point offers can lead to overspending. Stick to your travel plans and redeem when you have enough points for a trip you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do I need to get approved for an Avianca card?
Most Avianca cards require a credit score of 670 or higher. Premium cards may require 700 or higher. Your score is based on your payment history, how much debt you're carrying, and how long you've had credit accounts. You can check your score free through many banks and credit card companies, or through sites like Credit Karma.
Can I use Avianca points on other airlines?
Avianca points are primarily for Avianca flights, but Avianca is part of the Star Alliance network, which includes airlines like United, Lufthansa, and Air Canada. You may be able to redeem points for flights on these partner airlines, though the point cost is often higher than for Avianca flights. Check Avianca's redemption options on their website.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Points typically remain in your Avianca account even after you close the card, as long as your account stays active. However, if you don't use your Avianca account for an extended period (usually 12 to 24 months), the points may expire. Check your card's terms for the exact policy.
Is the annual fee worth it if I only fly Avianca once a year?
Probably not. If you fly once a year and the card charges a $95 annual fee, you'd need to earn at least $95 worth of value from rewards and benefits to break even. A single flight's worth of points might not reach that threshold. A basic card with no annual fee or a lower fee would be a better fit.
Do I have to use the card to book my Avianca flight to get the benefits?
No. Most Avianca cards give you benefits like checked bags and priority boarding on Avianca flights regardless of how you paid for the ticket. However, some benefits like statement credits or bonus points may require you to book with the card. Check the specific card's terms to see which benefits explore to all Avianca flights and which require card payment.