You have to "unblock" Avianca with your cc provider. If you have at least 4000 miles, try buying the cheapest award ticket anywhere (8k us domestic etc.) and use the card with a wrong security code (so that you dont actually buy the ticket). the attempted purchase will likely get flagged by your CC provider, and you either get a call/text/email about the attempted transaction. Once you clear it, then the CC provider will unblock the card with Avianca, and you will be good to go. for points purchases, the transaction just fails and no follow up from your cc provider, so you have no way of engaging them to unblock your card. tricks of the game!