How to Earn More Frequent Flier Miles

The fees associated with loyalty and frequent flier programs make frequent purchases a necessity. A consumer may not get the best value out of these programs with infrequent spending. Your frequent flier card does not earn miles in a passive way. You need to make purchases that qualify for frequent flier miles before you plan your next trip.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bank statements

1. Avoid disparate collections of frequent flier miles by choosing one card for all of your applicable purchases. You can consolidate meal, flight and travel expenses into one credit card to simplify the redemption process.

2. Track your frequent flier miles to analyze your spending habits related to miles accumulation. Weekly inspection of your online miles account will help you figure out ways to responsibly increase your purchases and earn more points.

3. Expand your purchases to partner companies of your airline rewards program to earn more frequent flier miles. The US Airways Dividend Miles partnership with the Star Alliance allows members to increase their miles when they use businesses with the Star Alliance seal (see Resources below).

4. Compare your bank statement to your frequent flier miles statement each month to recover lost benefits. You need to be diligent about reviewing every purchase and contacting customer service to retrieve points lost through clerical errors.

5. Update your frequent flier card to higher spending limits and elite levels to earn more miles. Business travelers can take advantage of frequent trips with programs like the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Companion Pass, which offers business-class seats along with greater accumulation of points (see Resources below).

6. Look for special deals from your frequent flier program to earn more miles. Most programs use double-miles incentives to help drive up business for partners while benefiting card holders.

Tips & Warnings

• Select credit instead of debit when you use your frequent flier card. Consumers with a rewards-based debit card need to select the credit option to get credit for applicable purchases. Frequent use of debit features at restaurants and stores leads to wasted opportunities to earn more miles.
• Read every update and program notice in your mail to learn ways to earn more frequent flier miles. Card companies adjust rewards programs often and account holders neglect to read the fine print that dictates small changes in miles accumulation.

Resources

• US Airways Dividend Miles connection to the Star Alliance partnership
• Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Companion Pass