Airline miles, also known as frequent flyer miles, are one of the most valuable rewards currencies in the world of travel hacking. They can provide huge discounts on flights, upgrades, and other travel perks, making it possible to enjoy luxury travel without breaking the bank.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about earning and redeeming airline miles, ensuring that you become a pro at using them for maximum value.
What Are Airline Miles?
Airline miles are reward points earned by flying with an airline or spending through their co-branded credit cards. These miles can then be redeemed for free or discounted flights, seat upgrades, and more. Most major airlines also allow you to earn miles without flying, thanks to partnerships with credit card companies, hotel chains, and even dining programs.
How to Earn Airline Miles
The first step to mastering airline miles is understanding how to earn them efficiently. Here are some of the most common ways:
1. Flying With Airlines
This is the most traditional way of earning airline miles. Simply join a frequent flyer program (like Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, or American AAdvantage), and you’ll accumulate miles every time you fly.
- Tip: Always enter your frequent flyer number when booking, even if you’re flying with a partner airline (e.g., flying British Airways but earning American Airlines miles).
2. Credit Card Spending
Many credit cards are co-branded with airlines or offer transferable rewards that can be converted into airline miles. Here’s how to make the most of this:
- Co-branded credit cards: Cards like the American Express Delta SkyMiles or United Explorer Card offer direct airline miles for purchases, often with bonuses on spending in certain categories like travel and dining.
- Transferable points: Programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards allow you to transfer points to a variety of airline partners.
- Tip: Always check for transfer bonuses, where you can get extra miles when transferring from your bank program to an airline partner.
3. Shopping Portals
Most airlines have online shopping portals where you can earn extra miles by making everyday purchases from partnered retailers. Sign up for portals like United MileagePlus Shopping or American AAdvantage eShopping to rack up miles quickly.
- Tip: Before you make an online purchase, check if the retailer is listed on any shopping portal. You could be missing out on valuable miles.
4. Dining Programs
Airlines also partner with restaurants through dining rewards programs. Sign up for programs like Delta SkyMiles Dining or United MileagePlus Dining, link your credit card, and earn miles every time you dine at a participating restaurant.
How to Redeem Airline Miles for Maximum Value
Earning miles is only half the battle. The key to mastering airline miles is knowing how to redeem them for the highest possible value.
1. Look for Award Charts
Most airlines offer award charts that show how many miles are required for flights between different regions. Although some airlines have shifted to dynamic pricing (where the cost in miles changes based on demand), it’s still worth checking these charts to understand the value of your miles.
- Tip: Always aim for at least 1-2 cents per mile in value. For example, if a flight costs $400, and you can book it for 25,000 miles, you’re getting 1.6 cents per mile—a great redemption rate.
2. Book in Advance or at the Last Minute
Airlines often release award seats early or at the last minute. If you’re flexible with your travel dates, you can often find great deals by booking far in advance or just before departure.
- Tip: Use tools like Google Flights or Kayak to monitor flight prices and award availability.
3. Use Stopovers and Open Jaws
Some frequent flyer programs allow you to add a stopover (a stay in an additional city for a few days) or an open jaw (flying into one city and out of another) to your award ticket at no extra cost. These perks can help you stretch your miles further and see more destinations.
- Tip: Programs like Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and Singapore KrisFlyer are known for generous stopover policies.
4. Take Advantage of Partner Airlines
Most major airlines are part of an alliance (like Oneworld, SkyTeam, or Star Alliance) or have partnerships with other airlines. You can use your miles to book flights on partner airlines, which sometimes offer better availability or lower award prices.
- Tip: For example, use British Airways Avios to book short-haul flights on American Airlines or Turkish Miles&Smiles for flights to Hawaii on United.
Avoid Common Airline Miles Mistakes
1. Letting Miles Expire
Many airline miles expire if your account remains inactive for a certain period. Check the expiration policies of your frequent flyer programs, and make sure to earn or redeem miles regularly to keep them from expiring.
2. Booking Economy When Business or First Class Offers Better Value
In some cases, business or first-class award tickets offer a better cents per mile value than economy. Always check the redemption rates for all classes before booking.
3. Ignoring Transfer Bonuses
Don’t overlook transfer bonuses that can significantly boost your balance when converting points from a bank program into airline miles.
Unlock the Full Potential of Airline Miles
Airline miles are a powerful tool in any traveler’s arsenal. By earning miles through flights, credit cards, and everyday spending—and knowing how to redeem them wisely—you can unlock unforgettable travel experiences for a fraction of the price.
If this guide helped you, please share it with a friend! At FLY Savvy Sol, we believe that sharing is caring, and we want to help as many travelers as possible unlock the power of airline miles.
