Lima (LIM) is the most-trafficked airport in South America for US points travelers because it's the gateway to Cusco and Machu Picchu. LATAM Airlines runs direct service from Miami, JFK, LAX, and Houston. Avianca operates via Bogotá and San Salvador. United, American, and Delta all run direct service. Here is the 2026 award picture.
Direct US-Lima service in 2026
| Route | Carrier | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| MIA-LIM | LATAM, American | Multiple daily |
| JFK-LIM | LATAM, JetBlue, Delta | Multiple daily |
| LAX-LIM | LATAM, Delta | Daily |
| IAH-LIM | United | Daily |
| ATL-LIM | Delta | Daily |
Award routings: cheapest paths in 2026
| Routing | Mile cost (each way business) | Cash YQ |
|---|---|---|
| LATAM direct MIA-LIM via LATAM Pass | ~70,000 LATAM Pass | ~$120 |
| LATAM direct via AAdvantage (Oneworld partner) | ~57,500 AA off-peak | ~$80-$120 |
| Avianca direct via BOG on LifeMiles | 40,000 LifeMiles (Region 6) | ~$25 |
| United direct IAH-LIM on MileagePlus saver | ~50,000-70,000 (dynamic) | ~$5.60 |
| Delta direct ATL/JFK-LIM on Flying Blue | ~80,000-120,000 Flying Blue (no Promo Reward typically) | ~$310 (AF YQ) |
| JetBlue Mint JFK-LIM via TrueBlue | ~25,000-50,000 TrueBlue (dynamic) | ~$30 |
The Avianca-via-Bogotá sweet spot
Avianca LifeMiles routes through its Bogotá hub for most South America awards. The published rate of 40,000 LifeMiles each way business class US-South America is one of the cheapest premium-cabin awards anywhere in the world. Combined with low YQ (~$25), this is the cleanest path to Lima.
The catch: Avianca business class on the A330 to Bogotá is decent but not premium. The connection to LIM is on a regional jet. For travelers who want a luxury experience to Lima, LATAM direct on AAdvantage or United Polaris direct on MileagePlus is more comfortable.
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Hotels in Lima on points
- JW Marriott Hotel Lima: Category 6, ~50,000-60,000 Bonvoy points/night, Miraflores location.
- The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center: Category 6, ~50,000-60,000 Bonvoy points/night.
- Hilton Lima Miraflores: ~50,000-70,000 Hilton points/night.
- Hyatt Centric San Isidro Lima: Category 4, 15,000 World of Hyatt points/night — exceptional value.
- InterContinental Lima Hotel: ~50,000-65,000 IHG points/night.
The Cusco onward routing
Most Lima travelers continue to Cusco. The Lima-Cusco LATAM flight prices around 12,000 LATAM Pass miles + $25 each way one-class business. Some travelers add a stopover in Lima en route to Cusco — eat at a top-tier Lima restaurant (Central, Maido, Astrid y Gastón) before continuing on. LATAM Pass allows separate ticket combinations on its domestic routes.
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Bottom line
For most points travelers, Avianca LifeMiles direct via Bogotá at 40,000 miles + ~$25 each way is the cheapest path to Lima. For those wanting a more premium experience, LATAM direct on AAdvantage at 57,500 miles off-peak business class is the right pick. The Hyatt Centric San Isidro at 15,000 points/night is the cleanest hotel-points value in Lima.
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Last verified by the Pointify research team on May 1, 2026, against current Avianca LifeMiles, AAdvantage, MileagePlus, and Flying Blue award rates. LATAM partner saver inventory varies by route; verify before transferring miles.
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