How to Earn & Spend Your Frequent Flyer Miles Like A Pro!
When people are introduced to the concept of frequent flyer miles and points usually two things happen.
First, there is this excitement about using them to fly to that dream destination.
Then comes the next part. The overwhelmed feeling which is caused by sheer depth of information available online about loyalty programs which can be totally confusing.
Whether you travel frequently or just a few times a year, we at AirWhizz have put together 10 tips and tricks to help you navigate the world of miles and points confidently.
1.Set Travel Goals
Before you start thinking about which airline to fly with, where to store the flight miles, or which credit cards to choose to earn miles and points, take a step back.
PLan your trip first, figure out where you want to go and see how you can to get there. Set your travel goals first.
2.Join Frequent Flyer Programs
Think long-term. Even if you dont travel that often sign up with a frequent flyer program. Just one or two trips a year can do the job and help you earn flyer miles and points.
Join rewards programs for services you usually use on your vacation, such as a hotel chain, airline, restaurant chain and rental car company.
3.Stack Up Miles
Spreading your flyer miles across too many airline accounts will do you no good. Instead, pick frequent flyer accounts that suit you needs and maximize their earning potential.
If you want to stack up your flyers miles, then use your credit card wherever you can. Put away the cash and debit card. Use mileage-accruing credit cards for everything from bills to everyday items like shampoo.
4.Use Airline Alliances
While choosing an airline, check if they are a part of an airline alliance or have partnerships with other carriers.
Frequent flyer miles can be redeemed on the airline you choose to travel with, as well as on any of their airline alliance members or partners. This can help you to stack up all your miles to one account and use it when you fly with a partnered airline later on.
5.Pool Family Miles
Airline companies such as British Airways frequent-flyer programs let families pool their miles for free. You can earn points when you book air tickets and hotels for your parents or children.
You can stack up the miles in your account even if your family flies on other partnership airlines as mentioned in the point above.
6. Rethink Roundtrip Tickets.
Beat the airlines at their own game!
Look for creative combinations to book one-way tickets to your destination. You don’t need to book round trip tickets to earn flyer miles on most airlines If you have points in different frequent flyer accounts, you can book your outbound flight with one program and the return with another program.
7.Know The Rules
Read the Emails you get from your loyalty program account!
The might offer you rewards like double or triple points if you use their services at a specific travel destination or during a specific period.
Also, many frequent flyer miles have an expiry date. Make sure you use them before they disappear.
8.Use Credit Card Bonuses
A sign-up bonus of 50,000 points or miles is not uncommon and will help you earn flyer miles faster.
Just remember, with most sign-up bonuses you have to spend a certain amount of miles within a certain time period.
9.Use Crossover Benefits
With so much information available these days, hotel can now know which airlines you are flying with or visa versa. It’s worth it if you know about crossover benefits that airlines have set-up with other hotels. You can make sure that you are getting all of the perks you’re entitled to.
10.Use Them Wisely
You’ve earned those rewards so use them optimally.
We know you have destinations you have been dreaming about travelling to. Use those saved up miles to travel to that destination on a first class or a business class seat. Use these miles for long, expensive flights and fly stress-free.