How to Learn Frequent Flyer Program Tricks

Frequent flyer programs can be especially lucrative if you know the loopholes and earning opportunities. Here are some tips to learn frequent flyer program tricks.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Read the terms and conditions carefully. A lot of people set up frequent flyer programs through every airline, however many airlines work in partnership with several airlines. Instead of earning a few miles here and a few miles there, never earning enough for a free ticket, find out which airlines are compatible. By using one frequent flyer number for various airline carriers, you can rack up enough points to use for a free ticket.
2. Sign up for email promotions. Airlines won’t inundate your email with spam. Most promotions are actually valuable promotions through their frequent flyer program. Occasionally I have taken advantage of 10% off promotional codes for cheaper flights. Recently, a program offered $50 cash back if you paid through paypal. Take advantage of savings.
3. Check promotions often. Most frequent flyer programs have promotions like shopping online, booking flights a certain way, or even staying at certain hotels or renting at certain car rental facilities. By participating in promotions, you can easily rack up bonus miles.
4. Sign up for dining rewards. Check your frequent flyer program for information. Various restaurants offer air miles when you dine at their establishment. Your dining program will send you email or mail updates when restaurants in your area are added. Depending on how often you eat you could earn up to 5 miles for every dollar you spend.
5. Sign up for a credit card. If you charge a lot, consider signing up for one of their credit cards. Most credit cards offer you the first year free, a hefty amount of bonus miles for singing up, and a mile per dollar spent. All your groceries and gas can earn you a free flight over the course of a year.
6. Sign up for an e-miles or e-rewards program. In my experience, although skeptical at first, these programs have been very lucrative. By signing up, you will get emailed invitations to take surveys or try products. Over the course of a year I earned 2000 bonus miles and a $50 travel voucher for simply taking a survey here and there.
7. Opt for layovers if you have time. If you are intent on racking up miles and the cost is the same or cheaper, consider choosing a flight with a layover. You can easily rack up a few extra thousand air miles per trip.
8. Look at alternative options. If you don’t fly frequently enough to use air miles up as a free ticket while valid look at your options. Most programs allow you to cash your miles in for magazine subscriptions, gift cards to stores you frequent, or give them away to friends, family or as charitable donations. Never let your miles go to waste.