The Best Ways To Fly to Africa With Points and Miles [Step-by-Step]

Key Takeaways

• Delta Air Lines, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, and United Airlines offer nonstop routes to several countries in Africa, such as Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.
• Some of the best programs to use to book award seats are Emirates Skywards, ANA Mileage Club, Avianca LifeMiles, and United MileagePlus.

Africa is one of the most wondrous continents in the world. Home to some of the rarest, untainted natural beauty, nature lovers and exotic travelers as a whole need to put Africa on their bucket lists.

Whether you’re planning to travel to Africa for tourism, to visit family, or to conduct business, staying aware of the best ways to fly to Africa using points and miles can end up saving you tens of thousands of dollars in the long run.

So without further ado, we’ll show you the best frequent flyer programs to use to book flights!

Nonstop Flights Between the U.S. and Africa

There aren’t all that many airlines that have nonstop service from the U.S. to Africa. We’ve outlined the nonstop options to fly to North Africa in a separate guide and encourage you to visit that specific guide if your travels will take you to Morocco or Egypt.

Here are all of the foreign airlines that offer nonstop flights to the rest of Africa, excluding North Africa:

• Ethiopian Airlines
  • New York (JFK) – Lomé (LFW) – Addis Ababa (ADD)
  • Newark (EWR) – Lomé (LFW) – Addis Ababa (ADD)
  • Chicago (ORD) – Addis Ababa (ADD) – Dublin (DUB) – Chicago (ORD)
  • Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Addis Ababa (ADD) – Dublin (DUB) – Chicago (ORD)
  • Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Lomé (LFW) – Addis Ababa (ADD) (starts June 1, 2022)
• Kenya Airways
  • New York (JFK) – Nairobi (NBO)

Here are all of the U.S. airlines that offer nonstop flights to the rest of Africa, excluding North Africa.

• Delta Air Lines
  • Atlanta (ATL) – Lagos (LOS)
  • Atlanta (ATL) – Johannesburg (JNB)
  • New York (JFK) – Accra (ACC)
  • New York (JFK) – Dakar (DSS)
  • New York (JFK) – Lagos (LOS)
• United Airlines
  • Newark (EWR) – Cape Town (CPT)
  • Newark (EWR) – Johannesburg (JNB)
  • Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Accra (ACC)

Currently, there are several countries in Africa with nonstop routes from the U.S.:

1. Ethiopia — Addis Ababa (ADD)
2. Ghana — Accra (ACC)
3. Kenya — Nairobi (NBO)
4. Nigeria — Lagos (LOS)
5. South Africa — Cape Town (CPT) and Johannesburg (JNB)
6. Togo — Lomé (LFW)

Best Programs To Use To Book Flights to Africa

If you’re crunched on time, you’ll want to focus on nonstop flights — but if you are willing to book a layover or even a stopover (longer than 24 hours), you’ll probably end up booking a more enjoyable flight.

So let’s take a look at some of the best ways you can fly to Africa using points and miles!

Emirates Skywards

The classiest, most extravagant way to fly to Africa (or anywhere else in the world, for that matter) is aboard none other than Emirates first class.

If you don’t mind planning a short layover or even a stopover in Dubai and are willing to spend time looking for coveted award availability, then the unparalleled Emirates first class experience can be yours. And in a world where the network of true first class routes is shrinking, Emirates is one of the only airlines offering first class products on shorter, non-flagship routes, which can be handy when flying to Africa.

The best way to book Emirates first class awards to Africa is by redeeming Emirates miles with its own Skywards loyalty program.

And when redeeming miles for Emirates first class tickets, you can add a complimentary stopover for free — plus, since these are known as Flex Plus fares, you can change or cancel your flights with no fees!

Your total taxes and fees will run around $260 in each direction, which is a bargain for the $10,000+ plane tickets you have the privilege of booking.

Here are some exceptional first class routes you can book using Emirates miles:

• Chicago (ORD) – Dubai (DXB) – Luanda (LAD) one-way in Emirates first class for 178,750 Emirates miles + ~$262 in taxes and fees
• Dallas (DFW) – Dubai (DXB) – Lusaka (LUN) one-way in Emirates first class for 187,500 Emirates miles + ~$262 in taxes and fees
• Houston (IAH) – Dubai (DXB) – Lagos (LOS) one-way in Emirates first class for 187,500 Emirates miles + ~$262 in taxes and fees
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Dubai (DXB) – Accra (ACC) one-way in Emirates first class for 187,500 Emirates miles + ~$262 in taxes and fees
• New York (JFK) – Dubai (DXB) – Khartoum (KRT) one-way in Emirates first class for 150,000 Emirates miles + ~$262 in taxes and fees
• San Francisco (SFO) – Dubai (DXB) – Dar es Salaam (DAR) one-way in Emirates first class for 168,750 Emirates miles + ~$262 in taxes and fees
• Seattle (SEA) – Dubai (DXB) – Entebbe (EBB) one-way in Emirates first class for 168,750 Emirates miles + ~$262 in taxes and fees
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Dubai (DXB) – Nairobi (NBO) one-way in Emirates first class for 160,000 Emirates miles + ~$262 in taxes and fees

It’s fairly easy to book Emirates first class, but it’s a good idea to search for each segment individually. Go ahead and follow these instructions to book your Emirates first class ticket:

1. Visit the Emirates homepage.
2. In the center of the homepage, there’s a search box. Toggle the box that says Classic rewards to search for award availability.
3. Enter your city pairs, number of passengers, desired cabin class, and travel date(s).
4. Click Search flights.
5. After finding a suitable flight, use your miles and a credit card to pay for any applicable taxes and fees.

Earning Emirates Skywards Miles

Redeeming points for Emirates first class flights might be challenging, but earning those points isn’t.

Thanks to transfer partnerships with Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Brex Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Marriott Bonvoy, you can earn Emirates miles in more ways than ever.

To make things simpler, your points will transfer to Emirates instantly at a 1:1 ratio if you’re redeeming Amex, Brex, Chase, Capital One, or Citi points.

Lastly, Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio in around 3 business days. And if you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to Emirates at once, you’ll actually get a bonus of 5,000 Emirates miles.

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

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A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

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$1,200

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$95

APR

20.74% - 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

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Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
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Cons

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• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
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• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.74% - 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

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A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

21.74% - 28.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

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Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

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Pros

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025

Cons

• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.74% - 28.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Bottom Line: Without a doubt, Emirates first class is the most luxurious way to fly to Africa with points and miles. You’ll be savoring caviar, sipping Dom Perignon, and enjoying all of the accoutrements of this legendary first class product in no time, thanks to points and miles!

ANA Mileage Club

All Nippon Airways’s frequent flyer program, known as ANA Mileage Club, is one of the most liked in the world.

Thanks to attractive business class redemption rates, access to a diverse network of Star Alliance flights, and the ability to easily earn ANA miles, ANA Mileage Club has garnered a superb reputation.

If you’re able to search for and book round-trip award space (no one-way flights) and are willing to pay for fuel surcharges, you can get some exceptional value.

As a reminder, fuel surcharges from European airlines like Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, and SAS are all passed on — avoid those to save over $1,500 in round-trip fees.

Luckily, 2 airlines don’t come with huge fees on ANA redemptions: Ethiopian Airlines and United.

Another perk of ANA Mileage Club is that you can add a complimentary stopover, which is particularly useful for Ethiopian Airlines-operated flights from Africa to the U.S.

That’s because Ethiopian Airlines flights departing Addis Ababa towards the U.S. have stops in Dublin, Ireland! Note that Ethiopian Airlines flights departing the U.S. towards Addis Ababa are nonstop flights.

So if you maximized ANA miles, you could end up visiting Africa and Ireland for the same mileage price!

Here are a few terrific redemptions you can make using ANA miles:

• Chicago (ORD) – Addis Ababa (ADD) – Dublin (DUB) – Chicago (ORD) in Ethiopian Airlines business class with a stopover in Dublin (DUB) for 104,000 ANA miles + ~$519 in taxes and fees
• New York (JFK) – Lomé (LFW) – Addis Ababa (ADD) round-trip with a stopover in Lomé in Ethiopian Airlines business class for 104,000 ANA miles + ~$1,086 in taxes and fees
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Accra (ACC) round-trip in United Polaris class for 104,000 ANA Miles + ~$193 in taxes and fees
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Addis Ababa (ADD) – Dublin (DUB) – Chicago (ORD) in Ethiopian Airlines business class with a stopover in Dublin (DUB) 104,000 ANA Miles + ~$519 in taxes and fees

We generally don’t recommend using ANA’s website to conduct award searches — rather, you should use a better-designed search engine, such as United to search for award availability:

1. Go to United.com to search for award availability.
2. After finding award space, write down all of the flight details.
3. Go to the ANA homepage.
4. Click ANA Mileage Club on the top-right section of the homepage.
5. Under the Flight Awards section in the left-hand side box, click International, followed by Award Reservation.
6. You’ll be prompted to log into your ANA Mileage Club account.
7. Enter the travel details from the flight result in step 2.
8. After verifying award availability on ANA’s website, transfer your Amex or Marriott Bonvoy points.
9. Redo the search and book the reservation by redeeming miles and with a credit card to pay for taxes and fees.

Earning ANA Mileage Club Miles

While ANA miles aren’t quite as easy to earn as Emirates miles, the Japanese frequent flyer program is still partnered with Amex Membership Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy.

Transfers from Amex take around 3 business days while those from Marriott Bonvoy take around 7 business days, so be sure to factor that into your travel booking.

American Express Membership Rewards transfers at a 1:1 ratio while Marriott Bonvoy transfers at a 3:1 ratio. With Marriott, you’ll earn a bonus of 5,000 ANA miles whenever you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to ANA.

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

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The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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UP's Bonus Valuation*:

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Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

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Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
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• $695 annual fee.
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• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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American Express Membership Rewards

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U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

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Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

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This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

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UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

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There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

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Pros

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
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• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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• Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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• Annual Fee is $325.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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American Express Membership Rewards

Bottom Line: ANA Mileage Club is the best loyalty program to use for Star Alliance business class awards to Africa, as long as you stick with airlines whose fuel surcharges are not passed on. It’s easy to earn ANA miles, thanks to a strategic transfer partnership with Amex Membership Rewards.

Avianca LifeMiles

Avianca LifeMiles is one of the fastest-growing frequent flyer programs in the world. And while the program has a bunch of quirks, there’s a lot to love about it.

Simply put, you can’t beat the ease of earning LifeMiles, the ability to book premium Star Alliance award tickets without fuel surcharges, and the solid redemption rates.

In this case, LifeMiles is handy for booking excellent business or first class products that would otherwise come with massive out-of-pocket costs of $1,500+ round-trip! That number plummets to a whopping $38 one-way, even in first class.

And it’s technically possible to book first class award tickets all the way to Africa using LifeMiles on Lufthansa, but the only African destination currently serviced by a first class-equipped Lufthansa plane is Johannesburg (JNB).

To make things more challenging, Lufthansa first class is only bookable using points up to 15 days before departure at most, so only last-minute planners can book Lufthansa first class with points.

Here’s the LifeMiles award chart for flights between the U.S. and Africa:

As you can tell, being able to book $10,000 first class or $5,000 business class tickets is an absolute steal!

Hot Tip: LifeMiles uses a weighted average to price mixed cabin award tickets, which means that if you fly a portion of your journey in first class and the rest in business class, your award ticket will be cheaper than an entirely first class ticket! 

Here are some incredible redemptions you can make using LifeMiles from the U.S. to Africa:

• Chicago (ORD) – Frankfurt (FRA) – Windhoek (WDH) one-way in Lufthansa first class and business class for 90,525 LifeMiles + ~$38 in taxes and fees
• Houston (IAH) – Frankfurt (FRA) – Nairobi (NBO) one-way in Lufthansa first class and business class for 93,433 LifeMiles + ~$38 in taxes and fees
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Frankfurt (FRA) – Johannesburg (JNB) one-way in Lufthansa first class for 105,000 LifeMiles + ~$38 in taxes and fees
• Miami (MIA) – Frankfurt (FRA) – Abuja (ABV) one-way in Lufthansa first class and business class for 95,035 LifeMiles + ~$38 in taxes and fees
• New York (JFK) – Frankfurt (FRA) – Cape Town (CPT) one-way in Lufthansa first class and business class for 88,765 LifeMiles + ~$38 in taxes and fees
• San Francisco (SFO) – Frankfurt (FRA) – Mauritius (MRU) one-way in Lufthansa first class and business class for 91,495 LifeMiles + ~$38 in taxes and fees

Unfortunately, one of the quirks with LifeMiles is that if your itinerary has more than 1 stop or has many possible routings, it’s very difficult to get your booking to show up on the website. And LifeMiles’ customer service team is notoriously hard to work with.

Nonetheless, you can book your tickets with LifeMiles by following this list of steps:

1. Go to the LifeMiles website.
2. Click the flag icon in the top-right corner to change the site language to English.
3. Click Log in in the top-right corner once you’re on the English site.
4. Log into your LifeMiles account.
5. On the homepage, click the button that says Travel on the ribbon at the top of the page.
6. Enter your trip details in the search box and click Find Flights.
7. Choose your travel date(s).
8. Choose your desired flight option.
9. Redeem your LifeMiles and use a credit card to pay for taxes and fees.

Earning Avianca LifeMiles

Avianca LifeMiles are ridiculously easy to earn.

In addition to having lucrative transfer partnerships with Amex Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Capital One Miles, Marriott Bonvoy, and Brex Rewards, LifeMiles is one of the only frequent flyer programs that routinely offers incredible mileage sales where you can buy miles for 1 to 1.4 cents apiece.

Amex, Brex, Capital One, and Citi all transfer to Avianca LifeMiles instantly at a 1:1 ratio. Marriott Bonvoy has a 3:1 transfer ratio and transfers take around 1 business day.

Lastly, Avianca has 2 co-branded credit cards that earn miles directly.

Recommended Citi Cards

Citi Premier^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

*The information regarding the Citi Premier card has expired, and the card is no longer open to applicants.

Citi Premier^® Card

*The information regarding the Citi Premier card has expired, and the card is no longer open to applicants.

Welcome Offer

No offer available

No offer available

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$0

Annual Fee

$95

APR

21.24% - 29.24% variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Premier^® Card is an excellent option for anyone looking for an all-around travel rewards credit card. The card helps you earn points fast with great 3x bonus categories such as restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels. Plus, it offers access to airline and hotel transfer partners, doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, and has a reasonable annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotel purchases
• Access to Citi transfer partners
• Annual hotel credit

Cons

• $95 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• No welcome offer available
• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
• 60,000 ThankYou^® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.24% - 29.24% variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

United MileagePlus

United MileagePlus is one of the most streamlined frequent flyer programs in the world.

Boasting a best-in-class online search engine, intuitive ways to earn miles, and strong brand awareness, there are a lot of reasons why you’d want to book your award travel through United.

Just be aware that United MileagePlus will rarely get you the best redemption rates. But it’s the most uncomplicated program to book award travel on.

United MileagePlus generally doesn’t offer amazing value for business and first class flights due to its dynamic pricing system and the absence of an award chart. The best deals are known as Saver awards, but regardless of which mileage price you end up paying, you won’t be shelling out any extra money to pay for fuel surcharges.

Here are some fantastic redemptions you can make using United miles:

• Boston (BOS) – Zurich (ZRH) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way in SWISS Air business class and Edelweiss business class for 88,000 United miles + ~$6 in taxes and fees
• Chicago (ORD) – Brussels (BRU) – Kigali (KGL) one-way in United Polaris class and Brussels Airlines business class for 88,000 United miles + ~$6 in taxes and fees
• Miami (MIA) – Zurich (ZRH) – Johannesburg (JNB) one-way in SWISS Air business class for 88,000 United miles + ~$6 in taxes and fees
• New York (JFK) – Vienna (VIE) – Mauritius (MRU) one-way in Austrian Airlines business class for 88,000 United miles + ~$6 in taxes and fees
• Newark (EWR) – Brussels (BRU) – Douala (DLA) one-way in United Polaris class and Brussels Airlines business class for 88,000 United miles + ~$6 in taxes and fees
• San Francisco (SFO) – Lisbon (LIS) – Maputo (MPM) one-way in TAP Air Portugal business class for 88,000 United miles + ~$6 in taxes and fees
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Brussels (BRU) – Bujumbura (BJM) one-way in United Polaris class and Brussels Airlines business class for 88,000 United miles + ~$6 in taxes and fees

Any of these sound appetizing to you? Follow these instructions to book your United MileagePlus flight:

1. Visit the United Airlines website.
2. On the homepage, you’ll see a search box. Toggle the box that says Book with miles.
3. Fill in the search box. Click Find flights.
4. Pick which flight you’d like to book.
5. Confirm the reservation by spending United MileagePlus miles and by using a credit card to pay for taxes and fees.

Earning United MileagePlus Miles

United MileagePlus miles can be earned in many ways, but the most common is 1 of 2 ways:

• Via United MileagePlus co-branded credit cards 
• Via Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers (1:1 ratio and points transfer instantly)

Generally, you should stick to transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards due to the better categories through which you can earn points, as well as the increased flexibility of your Ultimate Rewards points.

Lastly, you can top off your United miles with Marriott Bonvoy, which has a 3:1 transfer ratio and a bonus of 10,000 miles when you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to United. That means if you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus, you’ll end up with 30,000 United miles (20,000 from the 3:1 ratio plus 10,000 from the transfer bonus).

Air Canada Aeroplan

If you’re looking for alternative ways to fly to Africa using points, you might remember that Etihad Airways, which is based in Abu Dhabi, offers an exceptional premium cabin experience, whether you’re in business class or first class.

Your first instinct might be to redeem Etihad miles for Etihad flights, but for these redemptions, the best bet is Air Canada Aeroplan, a non-alliance partner.

You’ll generally want to avoid booking first class since Etihad doesn’t offer a first class product except to Casablanca (CMN) and Aeroplan charges according to the highest class of any segment in the itinerary, even if you’re not flying in first class the whole way.

Also, Air Canada Aeroplan allows you to add a stopover for just 5,000 miles extra, which means you can add a stopover in the U.A.E. en route to Africa!

To make things even more attractive, it’s also a good idea to consider booking Star Alliance business class flights using Aeroplan points because fuel surcharges are not passed on.

Indeed, Aeroplan is the first loyalty program we’ve talked about in this guide that doesn’t pass on Star Alliance fuel surcharges and allows you to easily add a stopover to your itinerary.

Here are some excellent routes you can book using Aeroplan points:

• Chicago (ORD) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Nairobi (NBO) one-way in Etihad business class with a stopover in Abu Dhabi for 105,000 Aeroplan points + ~$41 in taxes and fees
• Denver (DEN) – Munich (MUC) – Cape Town (CPT) one-way in Lufthansa business class with a stopover in Munich for 105,000 Aeroplan points + ~$41 in taxes and fees
• Detroit (DTW) – Frankfurt (FRA) – Port Harcourt (PHC) one-way in Lufthansa business class with a stopover in Munich for 90,000 Aeroplan points + ~$41 in taxes and fees
• New York (JFK) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Johannesburg (JNB) one-way in Etihad business class with a stopover in Abu Dhabi for 105,000 Aeroplan points + ~$41 in taxes and fees
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Mahé (SEZ) one-way in Etihad business class with a stopover in Abu Dhabi for 105,000 Aeroplan points + ~$41 in taxes and fees

Aeroplan’s website is extremely accurate and reliable. That being said, you can only search for 1 date at a time, which can make finding award space tedious.

To combat this, we recommend using other airline websites to find suitable award availability. After finding award availability, you can confirm your flights on Aeroplan’s website.

1. Find award availability through Etihad Guest (if flying Etihad) or on United.com (if flying on a Star Alliance airline like Lufthansa).
2. Find award availability that matches your travel situation.
3. Visit Aeroplan’s website.
4. In the top-right corner, click Sign In.
5. Log into your Aeroplan account.
6. Replicate your flight search and confirm that the same flights are showing up in Aeroplan’s search engine.
7. Redeem your Aeroplan points and pay for taxes and fees using a credit card to confirm your reservation.

Earning Aeroplan Points

Earning Aeroplan points is simple enough — the best way to do it is through transfer partners.

Air Canada Aeroplan is an American Express transfer partner, Chase transfer partner, Capital One transfer partner, and Marriott transfer partner.

Amex, Capital One, and Chase transfer to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio almost instantly. Marriott Bonvoy transfers to Aeroplan in around 5 business days at a 3:1 ratio with a 5,000-point bonus when you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to Air Canada.

You can also opt to acquire the Aeroplan^® Credit Card, which earns 3x points per dollar spent on dining, groceries, and Air Canada, as well as 1x point per $1 spent everywhere else.

Recommended Capital One Cards

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

19.99% - 29.49% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-840)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Enjoy complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 29.49% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Welcome Offer

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% - 29.49% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit

Cons

• $95 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Limited elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 29.49% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

American Airlines AAdvantage

American Airlines is our first Oneworld partner — its frequent flyer program is referred to as AAdvantage.

We love using American Airlines miles to book Qatar Airways Qsuites, which is one of the best business class products in the world. With enclosed suites, plenty of privacy, world-class catering, and luxury amenities, there’s no reason not to book Qsuites!

American Airlines doesn’t pass on fuel surcharges on Qatar Airways, but if you fly on a different airline like British Airways, you’ll see massive fuel surcharges.

Qatar Airways flies to Doha, its hub airport in the Middle East. After a layover in Doha, you’ll proceed to your final destination in Africa.

Here’s how much a one-way flight will cost when booked using AAdvantage miles between the U.S. and Africa:

Here are some amazing redemptions you can make on Qsuites to Africa:

• Chicago (ORD) – Doha (DOH) – Lusaka (LUN) one-way in Qatar Airways Qsuites for 75,000 American Airlines miles + ~$16 in taxes and fees
• Dallas (DFW) – Doha (DOH) – Entebbe (EBB) one-way in Qatar Airways Qsuites for 75,000 American Airlines miles + ~$16 in taxes and fees
• Philadelphia (PHL) – Doha (DOH) – Maputo (MPM) one-way in Qatar Airways Qsuites for 75,000 American Airlines miles + ~$16 in taxes and fees
• Seattle (SEA) – Doha (DOH) – Djibouti (JIB) one-way in Qatar Airways Qsuites for 75,000 American Airlines miles + ~$16 in taxes and fees

Here’s how you can book AAdvantage award flights:

1. Go to the American Airlines website.
2. In the middle of the homepage screen, check off the box that says Redeem miles.
3. Choose One way or Round trip.
4. Enter your itinerary information and click Search.
5. Find a suitable flight, redeem your AAdvantage miles, and use your credit card to pay for taxes and fees.

Earning American Airlines AAdvantage Miles

American Airlines AAdvantage doesn’t have a consistent 1:1 transfer partnership.

However, you can earn American Airlines miles from co-branded credit cards by Citi and Barclays.

Lastly, you can also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines at a 3:1 ratio and transfers to AAdvantage take around 2 business days.

Recommended Marriott Bonvoy Cards

We cover the large number of Marriott credit cards available in our detailed guide.

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

Not everybody has millions of Marriott Bonvoy points or American Airlines miles laying around. So if you’re looking to book Qsuites to Africa and don’t have these points, don’t worry!

You can book Qsuites flights using Cathay Pacific Asia Miles! However, you’ll be on the hook for large fuel surcharges, so just keep that in mind.

Here are some great example redemptions you can book:

• Boston (BOS) – Doha (DOH) – Dar es Salaam (DAR) one-way in Qatar Airways Qsuites for 90,000 Asia Miles + ~$507 in taxes and fees
• Houston (IAH) – Doha (DOH) – Lagos (LOS) one-way in Qatar Airways Qsuites for 90,000 Asia Miles + ~$507 in taxes and fees
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Doha (DOH) – Nairobi (NBO) one-way in Qatar Airways Qsuites for 90,000 Asia Miles + ~$507 in taxes and fees
• San Francisco (SFO) – Doha (DOH) – Khartoum (KRT) one-way in Qatar Airways Qsuites for 90,000 Asia Miles + ~$507 in taxes and fees

To book flights using Asia Miles, we recommend first searching on American Airlines’ or British Airways’ website and then calling Asia Miles to book.

That’s because Asia Miles employs some confusing married segment logic. For example, if you find a flight from Los Angeles to Doha in Qsuites and a connecting flight from Doha to Nairobi in Qsuites, Asia Miles doesn’t always make the entire itinerary available using points.

Here’s the easiest way to book Qsuites using Asia Miles:

1. Visit American Airlines’s website.
2. Check off the box that says Redeem miles in the search box and select One way or Round trip.
3. Enter your itinerary details and click Search.
4. After finding availability, call Asia Miles at 866-892-2598.
5. Feed the customer service agent the flight details and complete the booking.

Earning Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

Cathay Pacific makes it easy to earn Asia Miles.

Asia Miles is transfer partners with American Express Membership Rewards, Brex Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.

Amex transfers at a 1:1 ratio within a few hours. Brex and Citi both transfer in 1 business day at a 1:1 ratio. Capital One transfers at a 1:1 ratio in less than 2 business days.

Lastly, Marriott Bonvoy transfers at a 3:1 ratio with a 5,000-mile bonus when transferring 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points and takes around 5 business days.

Air France/KLM Flying Blue

The last frequent flyer program we’ll be talking about is Air France/KLM Flying Blue. This is an essential loyalty program to discuss because it offers the best SkyTeam award ticket pricing.

Most importantly, you can book Air France or KLM business class itineraries to lesser-known cities and countries in Africa where there would otherwise be no convenient schedules.

With a single stop in Paris (CDG) or Amsterdam (AMS), you can access interesting cities that otherwise wouldn’t be served by any other full-service airline.

So if you want to fly to countries like Madagascar, Chad, and Benin, Air France will probably get you there in the most comfort, in the least amount of time, and with the lowest overall logistical complications.

Flying Blue passes on all fuel surcharges and uses a dynamic award pricing scheme for Air France and KLM flights; you can even calculate the lowest award pricing online.

Here are some fantastic ways you can book SkyTeam flights to Africa using Flying Blue miles:

• Atlanta (ATL) – Paris (CDG) – Pointe-Noire (PNR) one-way in Air France business class for 115,000 Flying Blue miles + ~$456 in taxes and fees
• Boston (BOS) – Paris (CDG) – Bangui (BGF) one-way in Air France business class for 98,500 Flying Blue miles + ~$456 in taxes and fees
• Denver (DEN) – Paris (CDG) – Malabo (SSG) one-way in Air France business class for 115,000 Flying Blue miles + ~$453 in taxes and fees
• Detroit (DTW) – Paris (CDG) – Libreville (LBV) one-way in Air France business class for 115,000 Flying Blue miles + ~$455 in taxes and fees
• Houston (IAH) – Paris (CDG) – N’Djamena (NDJ) one-way in Air France business class for 93,500 Flying Blue miles + ~$456 in taxes and fees
• Las Vegas (LAS) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Kigali (KGL) one-way in KLM business class for 115,000 Flying Blue miles + ~$453 in taxes and fees
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Zanzibar (ZNZ) one-way in KLM business class for 115,000 Flying Blue miles + ~$481 in taxes and fees
• Miami (MIA) – Paris (CDG) – Antananarivo (TNR) one-way in Air France business class for 85,000 Flying Blue miles + ~$453 in taxes and fees
• Minneapolis (MSP) – Paris (CDG) – Cotonou (COO) one-way in Air France business class for 85,000 Flying Blue miles + ~$456 in taxes and fees
• Orlando (MCO) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Accra (ACC) one-way in KLM business class for 115,000 Flying Blue miles + ~$480 in taxes and fees
• San Francisco (SFO) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Nairobi (NBO) one-way in KLM business class for 85,000 Flying Blue miles + ~$456 in taxes and fees
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Cape Town (CPT) one-way in KLM business class for 85,000 Flying Blue miles + ~$460 in taxes and fees

To book an award ticket with Flying Blue miles, use these instructions:

1. Visit the U.S. Air France website.
2. Click Log in in the top-right corner and enter your account information.
3. On the homepage, click Book with Miles button on top left of the search box.
4. Click either Round trip or One-way.
5. Enter your desired airport codes. Choose your departure and return dates, number of passengers, and class of service.
6. Click Search flights.
7. Find your desired flight itinerary and book the ticket using Flying Blue miles and a credit card for residual taxes and fees.

Earning Air France/KLM Flying Blue Miles

It’s super easy to earn lots of Flying Blue miles.

You can take advantage of Flying Blue’s transfer relationships with Amex Membership Rewards, Brex Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.

Amex, Brex, Chase, Capital One, and Citi transfer instantly at a 1:1 ratio. Marriott Bonvoy transfers take around 3 business days and process at a 3:1 ratio with a 5,000-mile bonus when you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to Flying Blue.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re looking to book an ultra-luxurious Emirates first class flight all the way to Africa, a mixed cabin booking in first and business class, a convenient nonstop itinerary with lie-flat business class seats, or a connecting flight to a secondary country in Africa, there’s bound to be a suitable way to redeem points for flights to Africa.

In this guide, we started by walking you through how to book Emirates first class, the leader in first class luxury. Then, we walked you through the best deals for nonstop flights aboard Star Alliance airlines via ANA Mileage Club, Avianca LifeMiles, and United MileagePlus.

After that, we showed you that it’s possible to book Etihad Airways business class flights (as well as other Star Alliance flights) using Aeroplan points.

Then, we took a deep dive into American Airlines AAdvantage and Asia Miles as our go-to award programs for Oneworld flights (Qsuites in particular).

To close out this guide, we outlined the attractive features of Air France/KLM Flying Blue, which often offers the only 1-stop service between the U.S. and smaller countries in Africa.

Regardless of your needs, you now have the most authoritative guide on how to fly to Africa using points and miles.