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Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card vs IHG One Rewards Premier
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card comes from Cardless at $249/yr; the IHG One Rewards Premier from Chase at $99/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the IHG One Rewards Premier is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($925 more in estimated value) than the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card's. Get the IHG One Rewards Premier first; revisit the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card | IHG One Rewards Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $249 | $99 |
| Sign-up bonus | Not advertised | 185,000 bonus points |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $925 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $3,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Cardless | Chase |
| Card category | travel | hotel |
| Best earning category (Airline) | 3x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Read the full review
Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card
$249/yr ·
Read the full review
IHG One Rewards Premier
$99/yr · 185,000 bonus points
Editorial take: IHG One Rewards Premier
A solid hotel card if you stay at IHG properties regularly. The free night award and 4th night free on award stays can easily offset the $99 annual fee.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card or IHG One Rewards Premier?
- The IHG One Rewards Premier has a public bonus (185,000 bonus points, worth roughly $925), while the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card's $249 annual fee worth it compared to the IHG One Rewards Premier?
- At $249/yr, the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the IHG One Rewards Premier's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card and IHG One Rewards Premier?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Cardless and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card or the IHG One Rewards Premier first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card: no published min spend. IHG One Rewards Premier: $3,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.