How to Earn More Miles with a Frequent Flyer Credit Card

A frequent flyer credit card opens up new possibilities for earning frequent flyer miles. You can even earn miles without flying. If you don't already have a frequent flyer credit card, start out by following the steps below to apply for one and you may be able to earn extra bonus miles. Even if you already have one, you can use it to earn as many miles as possible.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Select one or two airlines whose miles will be most valuable to you and sign up for their frequent flyer programs through their websites, if you haven't already. It's free. You can earn frequent miles on almost any airline with a frequent flyer credit card, but it's more practical to choose just a few airlines and concentrate earning miles with them, rather than earning a few miles with many different airlines. In most cases, transferring frequent flyer miles from one airline to another means losing the value of a lot of miles.

2. If you don't already have a frequent flyer credit card affiliated with the airlines you've chosen, look for cards which offer bonuses for new applicants. They may be advertised on the airline's frequent flyer homepage, or you can search for the airline name, credit card, and bonus miles, or a similar phrase.You may be able to start out with a bonus of 10,000 or even 20,000 miles, simply for applying and being approved for a frequent flyer credit card. Watch for annual fees, though. Some cards waive the annual fee for the first year, but if you're planning to keep the card, make sure the benefits you get from an annual fee are worth the cost. When the fee comes due, you might be able to call the credit card and be lucky enough to have it waived again, but don't count on it. Also see how many miles you earn for various purchases. That's what will earn you miles in the long run, as you'll see below.

3. In your account preferences for both the credit card and the frequent flyer program, check the box that says you want to receive newsletters and special offers. You'll get notice of specials and extra ways to earn more frequent flyer miles.

4. Use your frequent flyer credit card for everyday spending, and pay the balance each month to avoid interest charges. You'll earn frequent flyer points for every dollar spent on purchases, though usually not on cash advances or balance transfers. If you have more than one card, see if one offers more points for certain things, such as utility bills, groceries, etc., and use that card in those categories.
   
   If you've just received a frequent flyer credit card with a bonus, first be sure to fulfill the requirements to earn the bonus. You may need to spend a certain amount within a certain number of days or months after receiving the card.

5. Besides using your card for everyday spending, look for other ways to earn extra miles, often reported on forums such as www.fatwallet.com or www.flyertalk.com. Opportunities come and go, such as purchasing coins from the US Mint at face value, answering surveys or purchasing at a particular store.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan ahead. It takes a few weeks for frequent flyer points to show up. They'll usually be put into your account about the time your next credit card statement closes.
• Keep track of when miles expire and what you need to do to keep them, such as earn or use miles every few years.
• If you have one card in your name, other family members may be able to apply for a new card in their name to earn bonus miles, or if you have a small business, you can apply and receive bonus miles in the business's name.