Frequent flyer programs aren’t a gimmick or a joke: they really do translate into free travel. Airlines push them so heavily because they are essentially loyalty programs. Their incentive is to keep passengers flying with them over and over again until they earn that one free ticket. The trick is knowing how to take advantage of each airline’s programs to maximize the benefits with the least amount of cost and time.
Sign Up for a Frequent Flyer Program
First things first. No miles can be earned until a program is joined. Each program is run by the airline it represents, so pick a favorite (or pick all of them), visit their website and click through until their frequent flier program pops up. Some airlines offer incentives to earn miles with their partners, such as Delta and Northwest. Miles earned on either airline fall into the same pot and can be redeemed for either airline.
The other way to join a program is just after taking a flight. Most airlines pitch their program during flight and give signees the option of obtaining miles for that trip. It’s the quickest way to immediately starting earning miles.
A great way to manage several frequent flier accounts is to consolidate them at mileport.com. This is especially good for those who fly with several airlines and have signed up for awards with all of them. This won’t consolidate the miles, however. It’s an organizational tool that gives travelers the option of looking at all of their miles on one site.
Frequent Flyer Miles Credit Card
One of the quickest ways to earn miles is to apply for a frequent flyer credit card. Certainly pros and cons exist, but with a little savvy planning, these can be some of the best frequent flier miles earned.
Each frequent flyer miles card is different, but most offer enough upfront miles to earn a free ticket, if not very close to enough. Sometimes these are added after a purchase has been made with the card, but sometimes these are given upon the credit card’s activation. Additionally, miles incentives are offered for purchases, shopping through their website and adding additional users to the account. These miles add up fast, without flying!
Airline credit cards also earn a certain amount of criticism. George Hobica, a founder of AirFareWatchDog, says “airfare cards are great for the sign-up bonuses, but for most travelers, that’s where it ends.” A frequent flyer credit card will generally carry a high interest rate and in many cases, a high annual fee. Some companies waive the annual fee for the first year, but it can be quite hefty thereafter. A couple of cards offer no annual fee, including a Midwest Airlines Mastercard and the Citi PremierPass® Card.
Many of these credit cards are attached to one particular airline. For those who want more flexibility, then the best option may be to apply for a card that will earn miles on any carrier. Three cards that allow cardholders to earn miles for any airline are Discover Miles Card, Citi® PremierPass® Card - Elite Level, and the Capital One No Hassle Miles Rewards Credit Card.
Know When Airlines Offer Specials
For every frequent flier program, sign up for email alerts. Airlines want business, so they will lure passengers any way they can. Miles cost very little for them, so they can offer generous incentives that can be very attractive to passengers wanting free travel. Some incentives include frequent flyer mile ‘sales,’ during which time award tickets may be purchased for fewer miles than usual. By signing up for email alerts those sales will end up right in the inbox. No searching required!
Some airlines will offer incentives for passengers who wish to purchase miles. Delta is known for occasionally giving free frequent flyer miles bonuses on top of a purchase, which can certainly help bulk up an account. The cost per mile varies widely from airline to airline, and there is usually a fee for the transaction. This is best for those who just need a few miles, or when at least a 50% bonus will be added to the purchase.
Earning free travel can be easy and in many cases, cost effective. Consider applying for an airline credit card, and visit airlines’ individual sites for information on each program.
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