Updated May 2026
Quick Answer
New to earning miles in Brazil? Learn how the Brazilian loyalty ecosystem works, which programs to join, and the fastest ways to accumulate miles as a resident or expat. — read the complete guide below with current rates, tips, and step-by-step instructions.
How to Earn Miles in Brazil: Complete Guide for Beginners and Expats 2026
Brazil has one of the most developed frequent flyer ecosystems outside of the United States, with multiple overlapping programs, generous transfer bonuses, and a competitive credit card market. Here’s everything you need to know to get started.
🗺️ The Brazilian Miles Ecosystem
Unlike the US where most miles live in airline programs, Brazil has a two-layer system:
Layer 1 — Bank/Multi-partner programs: Livelo, Esfera (Santander), Digio, Itaú Sempre Presente — these accumulate “points” from credit card spending that can then be transferred to airline programs.
Layer 2 — Airline programs: Smiles (GOL/SkyTeam), LATAM Pass (oneworld), TudoAzul (Azul/United) — the final destination where miles are redeemed for flights.
🚀 Fastest Ways to Earn Miles
- Premium credit card welcome bonus: 30,000-100,000 miles after minimum spend. The single fastest method.
- Transfer bonus promotions: Livelo and Esfera regularly offer 50-100% bonus on transfers. Doubling your miles at no cost.
- Concentrated spending: put all purchases on one miles card instead of multiple cards
- Shopping portals: Livelo Shopping and Esfera Shopping offer 3-15x points on online purchases
- Bill payments: some cards earn miles on utility and rent payments
🔄 Understanding Point Transfers
The standard transfer chain: Credit Card Points → Multi-partner program (Livelo/Esfera) → Airline program (Smiles/LATAM)
Wait for transfer bonuses before moving points. A 100% bonus turns 10,000 Livelo points into 20,000 Smiles miles — the same as doubling your credit card earning rate for free.
📱 Essential Apps for Brazilian Miles Hunters
- Smiles app: track balance, find award availability
- LATAM app: manage LATAM Pass, book flights
- Livelo app: track points, get notified of transfer bonuses
- C6 Bank / Nubank: digital bank apps with excellent miles programs
⚠️ Expat-Specific Considerations
To participate in most Brazilian loyalty programs, you need a CPF (Brazilian individual taxpayer ID). Foreigners with residency visas can obtain a CPF at the Federal Revenue Service (Receita Federal). Without a CPF, access to most programs is limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, most Brazilian loyalty programs require a CPF (Brazilian tax ID). Foreigners with a CPF can join Smiles, LATAM Pass, TudoAzul, Livelo, and others. Obtaining a CPF requires visiting a Receita Federal office or the Brazilian consulate abroad.
Start by signing up for LATAM Pass or Smiles (free to join). Then get a credit card that transfers to your chosen program. For immediate miles, look for credit cards offering welcome bonuses of 30,000+ miles.
Yes, Livelo has been running transfer bonus promotions consistently for several years. They typically happen 4-8 times per year. Join the Livelo newsletter and Brazilian miles communities (Telegram/WhatsApp groups) to get alerted.
LATAM Pass, due to its oneworld alliance membership. It provides access to American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and other premium carriers worldwide — ideal for international travel from Brazil.
