How to Maximize Your Frequent Flyer Miles

Nowadays, frequent flyer miles are a valid currency in air travel, which can be used for free airline tickets, upgrades, special rewards, and elite status. However, an obvious drawback is that you cannot convert, transfer or exchange these miles across different programs.

For example, American Airlines’ AAdvantage will be of little help if you’re on a Lufthansa flight. In this case, you’ll need to be a member of Lufthansa’s Miles & More program. You need to choose one frequent flyer program and focus on earning miles within that program.

So, it’s an easy calculation that 50,000 miles accrued in one frequent flyer program gets you an elite status and all associated benefits and rewards. On the contrary, the same number of miles spread across three or five different programs earns you no special status or awards. This means your strength in a particular program is the key to earning these benefits.

Knowing that consolidation is the secret, you’ll want to choose a program, which best suits your travel purpose. Before joining, take some time to carefully read and review each program. Also, be sure to read the fine print.

Once you’re enrolled into a program, the next and most important task is to monitor your account and watch out for new mileage-earning opportunities. Always try to use services of your frequent flyer program partner companies, whether it’s a hotel, rent-a-car, affinity credit card, restaurant, telephone company or florist. Find out these partner companies. Make your purchases through an affinity card and earn miles both as a purchaser as well as a user! Don’t forget to take advantage of the special offers!

Your Frequent Flyer Program newsletter will keep you posted on each new opportunity. Hence, don’t ignore the newsletter. In case you do not receive the newsletter, you can always check it online on the website. Also, make it a habit to call up your program’s customer service and request information on current promotions and partners.

You will need to keep track of is your progress towards attaining that elite status. After all, this is the main objective of all your hard work. At the end of the year, if you fall short of your target only by a few miles, do not hesitate to call up their help desk and request that status. The good news is that many airlines nowadays promote members who almost missed deadlines.

Finally, don’t let your miles expire! Remember the dates of validity and make sure you redeem your miles before they expire. Most award tickets are valid for a year. So, make your request, even if you don’t have a firm plan in place. Quote a fictitious date of departure and get your free ticket. You can always change the date when you’re ready with a plan.

Under present trends, your miles remain valid for three years from the date of any account activity through your program's affinity credit card. This means, you just have to use your affinity card while purchasing goods from partners. Your miles are automatically protected.

Lastly, hold on to your receipts and statements. In case there’s discrepancy between your calculation and that of your airline or its program partners, you can use those statements as a record, and save your hard earned miles.

About the Author

Manoj Borah is a Senior Writer & Journalist working with CheapoAir.com, a top travel site offering low airfare guarantee on airlines like Gulf Air and Korean Air. Manoj writes articles with special focus on the aviation industry, besides sharing tips and nuggets on booking cheap flights, hotels and tour packages.