How to Acquire Frequent Flyer Miles

Register for an airline's frequent flier program before your first flight.

Think of frequent flier miles as a type of currency. You can use your miles to fly for free, buy discounted tickets and purchase flight upgrades, such as upgrading from a cramped coach seat in the back of the plane to a spacious seat in the business class cabin. Besides flying, you can cash in miles for hotel stays, rental cars, luxury goods and even donate miles to your favorite charity. You can use miles to fly a sick child on a dream vacation with the Make-A-Wish Foundation or upgrade a U.S. soldier flying home from a long tour of duty. By not maximizing your acquisition of frequent flier miles, you are literally leaving money on the table.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

Instructions

1. Pick one airline to focus on and register for its frequent flier program. The more miles you accrue with one carrier, the more you will benefit. For example, if you earn 50,000 miles with one program, you may attain elite status, making you eligible to receive free upgrades, double frequent flier miles, two free round-trip domestic coach tickets and other perks. If you spread this 50,000 miles among three airlines, you won't qualify for any freebies or upgrades with any one carrier.

2. Use a credit card tied to your frequent flier account where you'll receive free miles for every dollar charged. Charge everything that you can to this one card. You'll be amazed at how charging your everyday expenses such as groceries, auto mechanic bills and doctor's visits can add up in free miles.

   Frequent flier credit cards often charge high annual fees and high interest charges, so make sure to pay off your balance each month and use the card enough to offset the annual fee.

3. Register for email notifications or check your airline's website frequently for frequent flier promotions. Airlines constantly run different promotions for flying or using your credit card. For example on slow travel months, you may be able to double your flight miles when taking a trip or you may receive triple miles for each dollar you spend on grocery purchases by using your frequent flier credit card.

4. Register your card with other companies. Many large grocery chains, florists, hotels and restaurants will give you miles for each purchase at their establishment. Mutual funds may give you miles for every dollar that you deposit in your retirement fund. Insurance companies may give you free miles if you ask for a quote. You can even earn miles by filing taxes using certain companies. Find out about these offers by visiting your airline's website.

References

• Frequent Flier: Strategies and Tactics
• FOX Business: 6 Ways to Earn Extra Frequent-Flier Miles
• Make-A-Wish Foundation: Ways to Help: Donate Airline Miles
• Department of Defense: Travelers May Donate Frequent-Flier Miles to Troops of R&R Leave

Resources

• Smarter Travel : How Can I Donate Frequent Flyer Miles to Charity?
• NY Times: The Multmillionaires of Frequent Fliers