Esfera is Santander's points coalition. Like Livelo, it is not a miles program: you accumulate points (strongly tied to Santander cards and account) and transfer them to airline programs, using a bonus to multiply your miles. This is the strategy guide; the live data is in the Esfera miniportal.
The essentials in one table
| Item | How it works on Esfera |
|---|---|
| What it is | Points coalition (not a miles program) |
| Tied to | Santander (cards and account) |
| Transfers to (domestic) | LATAM Pass, Smiles, Azul Fidelidade (usually 1:1) |
| Transfers to (international) | TAP Miles&Go, Flying Blue, Club Iberia Plus, Turkish Miles&Smiles, Etihad Guest, ConnectMiles (Copa), Aeroméxico Rewards |
| Validity | 24 months for most points; with an active Clube Esfera, they don't expire |
| Club edge | Subscribers often get better ratios and lower transfer minimums |
Where the points come from: the Santander ecosystem
Unlike Livelo, Esfera is not a coalition open to many banks: to take part you must be a Santander customer, and earning revolves around the cards and account. The last relevant external partner was BTG, but that route has closed.
- Santander cards — the main source of points (varies by card).
- Shopping Esfera — 50+ partner stores (1 to 5 points per real).
- Clube Esfera — monthly top-up, better ratios and non-expiring points.
- Buying points — only in good promos.
Recent change: according to specialists, point transfers from BTG to Esfera closed in March 2026. In practice, earning now depends essentially on the Santander ecosystem. Check current conditions on the official site.
Where Esfera transfers: reference ratios
Ratios (Esfera points : partner mile) vary by program and improve for Club subscribers. The figures below are references from specialist sources — check them live before transferring:
| Partner | Standard ratio | With Club |
|---|---|---|
| LATAM Pass / Smiles / Azul | 1:1 | 1:1 |
| Club Iberia Plus | 2:1 | 2:1 |
| TAP Miles&Go | 2.7:1 | 2.2:1 |
| Flying Blue | 3.5:1 | 3:1 |
| Turkish Miles&Smiles | 4.5:1 | 3.8:1 |
Esfera's trump card: since October 2025 it transfers to TAP Miles&Go again — right when Livelo restricted that transfer. For anyone eyeing TAP, Esfera is usually the best path today.
How to accumulate the right way
- Use Santander cards (earning varies by card).
- Concentrate purchases in Shopping Esfera at partner stores.
- Consider Clube Esfera: monthly points and often better ratios.
- Assess buying points only in good promos.
Esfera's power combo: the Club's better ratio + a transfer bonus. Together they multiply the final value. Ratios vary by partner (from 1:1 to higher) — always check before transferring.
Worked example: Club + bonus
Numeric example
You have 40,000 Esfera points. As a Club subscriber, a transfer to an international partner uses a better ratio, plus a 60% bonus lands. The result is far more miles at the destination than a plain 1:1 transfer without a bonus. Run your case in the Transfer Bonus Simulator.
Strengths and limits of Esfera
✓ Strengths
- Broad international lineup (TAP, Turkish, Etihad, Iberia, Flying Blue…).
- Club with better ratios for frequent transferrers.
- Transfers to every major domestic program, usually 1:1.
✕ Watch-outs
- Earning more tied to the Santander ecosystem.
- Ratios vary by partner — check first.
- Without a bonus (and without the Club), value drops.
Common mistakes with Esfera
- Transferring without a bonus — you lose much of the value.
- Ignoring the ratios — they change by partner and affect the result.
- Not considering the Club if you transfer often.
- Letting points expire — check the term on the official site.
Tips to get the most
- Turn on alerts for the pairs you use.
- Use the Club Simulator to decide if Clube Esfera pays off.
- Explore international destinations — that's where Esfera stands out.
- Compare with the other coalition in the Livelo guide.
💡 Summary: Esfera is Santander's coalition, strong on international destinations. The secret is combining the Club's better ratio with a transfer bonus and checking ratios per partner. Accumulate, wait for the campaign and transfer at the right time.