Avianca LifeMiles American Express® Elite Card vs United℠ Explorer
Side-by-side comparison
| Avianca LifeMiles American Express® Elite Card | United℠ Explorer | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $249 | $150 |
| Welcome offer | 60,000 miles | Up to 60,000 bonus miles |
| Dining | 2x | 2x |
| Groceries | 1x | 1x |
| Gas | 1x | 1x |
| Travel | 2x | 1x |
| Streaming | 1x | 1x |
| Everything else | 1x | 1x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $340 | $322 |
| Points type | Locked to Avianca LifeMiles | Locked to United MileagePlus |
| Network | American Express | Visa |
*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified August 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.
Welcome bonus and value over time
| Over time | Avianca LifeMiles American Express® Elite Card | United℠ Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | 60,000 miles | Up to 60,000 bonus miles |
| To earn it | $4,500 in 90 days | $3,000 in 3 months |
| Est. first-year value* | $691 | $772 |
| Est. ongoing value / yr* | $91 | $172 |
The United℠ Explorer wins on both fronts: it comes out ahead in year one on the welcome offer and stays ahead every year after. Short term or long, it is the stronger pick on the numbers.
*First-year value counts the welcome bonus, estimated rewards, and annual credits, minus the annual fee; ongoing value is a typical year after. Every point at a flat 1 cent.
Perks, credits, and redemptions
| Perks | Avianca LifeMiles American Express® Elite Card | United℠ Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge access | Yes | Yes — United Club |
| Annual credits | None | None |
| Points & redemptions | Locked to a single program | Locked to a single program |
The two are closely matched on perks and redemptions, so the welcome offer and everyday earning above are what should decide it.
Transfer partners and point value
Neither card earns transferable points, so redemptions are cash-back or fixed portal value on both, roughly a cent per point. There is no airline or hotel transfer angle to separate them.
The verdict
On a typical year of household spending, the Avianca LifeMiles American Express® Elite Card earns about $340 a year in rewards and the United℠ Explorer about $322, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Avianca LifeMiles American Express® Elite Card charges $249, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The United℠ Explorer charges $150, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the United℠ Explorer delivers more total value, about $81 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it skips the annual fee the other charges. Neither leans on transferable points, so the deciding factors are the welcome offer, the card network, and which everyday perks you will actually use. On the sign-up bonus, the two are currently comparable in size. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the Avianca LifeMiles American Express® Elite Card if your spending leans toward travel.