You Can Now Transfer Lifemiles to GOL Smiles, and This Feature Is Truly Unique

Earlier this week, members of the Avianca Lifemiles program started seeing notices that they could transfer miles to GOL Smiles on a trial basis. I immediately logged into my account to test out this feature, but sadly, it wasn’t there.

We contacted a spokesperson for Lifemiles, who confirmed that the miles transfer option isn’t available to everyone at this time. However, there’s an easy path to enabling this feature in your account.

Moreover, we learned some very interesting details about the future of these transfers. Here’s what you need to know.

Avianca Lifemiles Enables Transfers to GOL Smiles

First things first, yes, this feature exists; no, it’s not available to everyone. A spokesperson for Avianca confirmed that eligible members can transfer miles from Lifemiles to GOL Smiles at a 3:1 ratio.

“We believe this new service represents an important value for our Lifemiles members. Not only is Smiles one of Brazil’s most complete loyalty platforms, but Smiles also has a redemption network including over 60 air partners, including many that are complimentary to Avianca/Lifemiles’ air partners.”

Jorge Luis Rodriguez Mendoza, Avianca’s director of redemptions, B2C sales & global partners

This capability was originally launched on July 11, 2024. The feature is free to use. Presently, it’s only available as a pilot program for “members with high Lifemiles balances.” However, there’s a way to put your name on that list (more on that below).

Interestingly, the transfer ratio might change in the future.

GOL, for those unaware, is a Brazilian carrier that holds a strategic partnership with American Airlines. At some point in the future, GOL plans to adopt the AAdvantage program as its own rewards program and share route networks with American Airlines. That means Avianca, a Star Alliance partner, may provide miles transfers to a Oneworld program (AAdvantage) at some point in the future. That will be truly unique if the program continues until that unknown date.

How To Become Eligible for Miles Transfers

Members who “purchase or accrue” more than 50,000 Lifemiles — including points transfers! — will be included in the pilot program within 2 weeks of meeting the threshold. Thus, transferring your points into Lifemiles could open the door to onward transfers to GOL Smiles.

Presently, you can transfer all of the following currencies to Lifemiles:

The Future of Miles Transfers Between Avianca Lifemiles and GOL Smiles

As this is a pilot program, there’s no guarantee it will stick around. Mendoza said Avianca will evaluate the program’s results over the next few months. “If it goes well, this benefit may continue and be available for a broader group of members. For now, however, it is a temporary benefit available to select members.”

If it does stick around, the transfer ratio might change. Presently, you can move miles from Avianca to GOL at a 3:1 ratio. You can’t transfer miles from GOL to Avianca — technically. Mendoza confirmed that members have 12 months to use their miles after moving them from Avianca to GOL. However, these same miles can be moved back to Avianca within the 12-month period.

General transfers of GOL miles to Avianca aren’t part of the program at this time, however.

And what about the transfer ratio in the future? It’s not set in stone. “This rate will be updated monthly,” according to Mendoza, based on the different currency values of Lifemiles and Smiles miles.

How To Transfer Avianca Lifemiles to GOL Smiles Miles

If you’re eligible for transfers, take the following steps:

• Ensure you’re a member of GOL Smiles miles, which you can join here. Unfortunately, it’s only available in Portuguese at this time, so ensure you have a browser or plug-in that offers translation.
• Find your desired redemption using Smiles miles. Confirm space is available and note the number of miles required.
• Go to the transfers page within Lifemiles to convert miles at the applicable transfer rate. Presently, the ratio is 3:1. Thus, if you want to book a ticket that costs 15,000 GOL Smiles miles, you’ll need to convert 45,000 Avianca Lifemiles.

After transferring, you have 12 months to use the miles in your GOL account. Within those 12 months, you have the option to move the miles back to Lifemiles at the current transfer ratio (remember that this may change from month to month).

Final Thoughts

This is a truly unique partnership. Transferring miles from 1 airline program to another isn’t common. It’s even less common when those airlines’ rewards programs participate in different alliances. If the ability to transfer miles from Avianca Lifemiles to GOL Smiles sticks around, we may see just that.

Either way, this is a really unique feature, and making yourself eligible isn’t complicated. Time will tell if it sticks around.