Can I Use United Miles On Avianca? | Mileage Magic Unlocked

Understanding the United and Avianca Alliance

United Airlines and Avianca are both members of the Star Alliance, the world’s largest global airline alliance. This membership is the key reason why you can use United MileagePlus miles on Avianca flights. Being part of the same alliance means that these airlines cooperate on various fronts, including frequent flyer programs, codeshare agreements, and mileage redemptions.

Star Alliance allows passengers to book award tickets across member airlines using miles earned in any of the alliance’s frequent flyer programs. In this case, United MileagePlus members have access to Avianca’s extensive network in Latin America and beyond. This opens up a world of travel opportunities without having to earn multiple types of miles.

How to Redeem United Miles for Avianca Flights

Redeeming United miles for Avianca flights is straightforward but requires some planning. First, you need to search for award availability on United’s website or app. Since Avianca is a partner airline, its award seats will appear alongside United’s own flights when searching within the Star Alliance network.

Once you find an available flight operated by Avianca, you can book it directly using your MileagePlus miles. The number of miles required depends on the distance flown and the class of service (economy, business, or first). Keep in mind that award availability fluctuates based on demand and timing.

Booking partner awards through United often means paying some additional fees and taxes imposed by the operating airline. Avianca tends to have moderate surcharges compared to other international carriers, so it’s wise to factor those costs into your travel budget.

Step-by-Step Booking Process

1. Log in to your United MileagePlus account.
2. Enter your origin, destination, and travel dates.
3. Select “Award Travel” to filter results.
4. Review available flights; look specifically for those operated by Avianca.
5. Choose your preferred flight and cabin class.
6. Confirm mileage cost and any additional taxes/fees.
7. Complete booking with your miles.

If you encounter issues finding Avianca flights online, calling United’s customer service can sometimes help uncover hidden availability or clarify redemption rules.

Avianca Routes Available with United Miles

Avianca operates an extensive route network primarily focused on Latin America but also connects North America and Europe via its hubs in Bogotá (BOG) and San Salvador (SAL). Using United miles on Avianca opens up access to numerous destinations that might otherwise be difficult or expensive to reach with direct United flights.

Here are some popular routes you can consider when redeeming United miles for Avianca:

• Bogotá (BOG) to Lima (LIM)
• Bogotá (BOG) to São Paulo (GRU)
• Bogotá (BOG) to Mexico City (MEX)
• San Salvador (SAL) to Miami (MIA)
• Bogotá (BOG) to Madrid (MAD)

This network allows travelers flying from the U.S., Canada, or Europe via United hubs like Houston or Newark to connect seamlessly onto Avianca-operated legs using their MileagePlus miles.

Comparing Award Costs: United vs Avianca Flights

The mileage cost for a specific route can vary depending on whether you fly a United-operated flight or an Avianca-operated flight booked with United miles. Below is a sample comparison for one-way economy awards from the U.S. to key Latin American destinations:

Route	United Flight Miles Required	Avianca Flight Miles Required
Houston (IAH) – Bogotá (BOG)	17,500	17,500
Newark (EWR) – Lima (LIM)	20,000	20,000
Miami (MIA) – San Salvador (SAL)	12,500	12,500

As shown here, mileage requirements are consistent across partner awards within Star Alliance zones. However, taxes and fees may differ depending on which airline operates the flight.

The Benefits of Using United Miles on Avianca Flights

Using your MileagePlus miles on Avianca offers several advantages that can enhance your travel experience:

• Access to Latin America: Avianca’s strong presence across Central and South America fills gaps where direct United service may be limited.
• Diverse Cabin Options: You can often find business class availability on long-haul routes like Bogotá-Madrid at competitive mileage rates.
• Smoother Connections: Coordinated schedules between United and Avianca facilitate easier transfers within Star Alliance hubs.
• Mileage Pooling Opportunities: If you have partners or family with MileagePlus accounts, combining miles can unlock better redemption options.

These perks make combining mileage redemptions across both carriers a smart choice for travelers aiming at Latin America or transatlantic routes served by Avianca.

Avianca Award Booking Tips Using United Miles

To maximize value when booking Avianca flights with your United miles, consider these insider tips:

• Book Early: Award seats tend to release about 11 months in advance; snagging them early increases chances of securing business class seats.
• Be Flexible: Adjusting travel dates by a day or two can reveal more award space.
• Avoid Peak Seasons: Holidays and major events cause award scarcity; traveling off-peak improves availability.
• Call Customer Service: Sometimes phone agents have access to more inventory than online search tools.
• Mile Transfer Options: If short on MileagePlus miles but have points in transferable programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards®, consider transferring points into MileagePlus before booking.

Applying these strategies will increase your chances of finding great award seats on Avianca using your hard-earned miles.

Pitfalls and Limitations When Using United Miles On Avianca Flights

While redeeming MileagePlus miles on Avianca has many perks, there are some drawbacks worth noting:

• Award Availability Can Be Limited: Popular routes might have scarce saver-level awards during busy periods.
• Surcharges May Apply: Although generally moderate compared to other carriers like Lufthansa or British Airways, expect some fuel surcharges on international routes.
• No Upgrades With Miles: You cannot upgrade paid tickets purchased through Avianca using MileagePlus miles; upgrades must be done within each airline’s own program.
• Cancellations/Changes Fees: Partner awards may incur fees if changes or cancellations are necessary after booking.

Understanding these limitations helps set realistic expectations before committing your valuable MileagePlus balance.

The Process After Booking: Managing Your Award Ticket

Once you’ve booked an award ticket using your MileagePlus miles for an Avianca-operated flight, managing it is similar to standard award tickets but with nuances:

• You’ll receive an e-ticket confirmation from United Airlines since they issued the ticket—even though it’s operated by Avianca.
• If changes are needed before departure—like date shifts—contacting United Airlines directly is necessary as they handle all ticketing matters.
• Baggage policies follow the operating carrier’s rules—in this case, check Avianca’s baggage allowance carefully as it may differ from standard United guidelines.
• Loyalty benefits such as elite upgrades usually do not apply when flying partner airlines unless explicitly stated in alliance agreements.
• If delays or cancellations occur during travel segments operated by Avianca, coordination between airlines typically ensures rebooking assistance under Star Alliance policies.

Knowing how post-booking management works helps avoid surprises during your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use United Miles On Avianca Flights?

Yes, you can use United MileagePlus miles to book flights operated by Avianca. Both airlines are members of the Star Alliance, allowing MileagePlus members to redeem miles on Avianca’s extensive network, especially across Latin America.

How Do I Redeem United Miles On Avianca?

To redeem United miles on Avianca, search for award availability on United’s website or app. Avianca flights show up alongside United’s when filtering for award travel. Once you find a suitable flight, you can book it directly using your MileagePlus miles.

Are There Additional Fees When Using United Miles On Avianca?

Yes, booking Avianca flights with United miles may include additional taxes and fees imposed by Avianca. These surcharges tend to be moderate compared to other international carriers, so it’s important to factor them into your travel budget.

What Routes Can I Fly Using United Miles On Avianca?

Avianca offers an extensive route network primarily in Latin America. By using United miles, you gain access to these destinations through the Star Alliance partnership, expanding your travel options beyond what United alone offers.

What Should I Do If I Can’t Find Avianca Flights Using United Miles?

If you have trouble locating Avianca award flights online, calling United’s customer service may help. Agents can sometimes uncover hidden availability or clarify redemption rules that aren’t obvious through the website or app.