My Problems Applying for Avianca’s Vida Credit Card
I recently tried to apply for and had several problems applying for Avianca’s Vida credit card (Learn More). This card is issued by Banco Popular of Puerto Rico and earns LifeMiles for Avianca. While those are a currency that you can use for great things, the application has given me problems I want to share with others.
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Why the Avianca Vida Credit Card?
The Avianca Vida and Vuela credit cards (Learn More) have elevated bonuses right now. I’ve had the Vuela card previously, so I wanted to apply for the Vida card. When using a bonus code during the sign-up, you can add an extra 20,000 miles to your welcome offer. You earn the normal amount of miles after your first purchase then earn the 20,000 kicker after spending $1,000 in 90 days. Avianca’s LifeMiles doesn’t add fuel surcharges, which is a great savings on award tickets and why this is a great program to rack up miles with.
Problem 1: Can’t Apply Online
I also had problems applying for Avianca cards in the past. When I applied for the Avianca Vuela card (Learn More) previously, they had issues verifying my identity. For some reason, the information they have on file doesn’t match the credit bureaus. Try as I might, the web application kept telling me my info was wrong. After verifying everything with TransUnion as recommended, I applied on the phone for the Vuela card earlier this year.
I had this same problem last week when applying for the Vida card. When I called to apply, and they told me my information doesn’t match their records. I was told to contact TransUnion by phone and do a review of my personal information. After doing that, my information still didn’t match what Banco Popular sees, so we had to escalate this to their review team to straighten it out. Not surprisingly, I was entering my personal information correctly.
Problem 2: Can’t Use the Bonus Code
Now that I was ready to apply, I called in with the bonus code SB4060 ready. When I gave the agent the bonus code, he told me I couldn’t use it.
You’ve used this bonus code before. You can only use it once per customer, even if it was used for a different credit card.
If you used the same code at any point in your life, even on a different card, you can’t use it now. Heads up for those of us hoping for the elevated points offer: you can’t get it. That SB4060 code is a great offer, but you can’t use it for one card and then again for another card. Take note. It appears to be a once in a lifetime code, not once per card.
Final Thoughts
Bonus codes for extra points during credit card applications are awesome. A 20,000 point kicker for more LifeMiles is a great deal. Unfortunately, if you got the 20,000 bonus with this code previously, you can’t get it now. It’s a different card, but the rule still prevents using the bonus code. If you’ve used this bonus code before, you can’t use it now. This could give others problems applying for Avianca credit cards. If anyone is able to use the code after using it previously for another card, I’d love some data points on it.
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I tried several years ago to get their credit card. It was such a hassle. They at first processed quickly than recinded, wanting more information, it got to a point that they just kept asking for more info in dribs and drabs. I finallly asked to just forget it, which than turned into a bigger hassle. Wrote to their complaint line and president about being treated rudely. No response
Unfortunately, that’s not the only time I’ve heard this exact story.