Savvy travelers not only know how to find cheap traveloptions such as cheapairplane tickets, cheapdeals, discount hotel rooms, discounttravel deals, cheap auto rentals, and cheap vacation packages, theyalso make a point of flying more for less money.
One of the best ways to earn free flights is to enroll inan airlines frequent flier program. About seven percent of all flights are paid for with points ormiles.
Not all frequent flier programs are created equal. All major U.S. airlines offer loyaltyprograms. Some programs empower membersto earn miles, while other programs let members earn points that can beredeemed for things like discounted flights, seat upgrades, access to privateairport lounges, and other perks.
Frequent flier programs are easy to sign up for free andcan be beneficial even for occasional travelers.
The following are the U.S. based frequent flier programsthat offer the richest rewards, according to Daniel Bortz:
DeltaAir Lines SkyMiles program is unique because it allows members to earn milesthat never expire. Members earn 5 to 11miles per dollar spend, depending on elite status, and can earn additionalmiles for hotel stays, car rentals, and dining.
Delta, unlike most airlines, does notpublish an awards chart which shows the number of points or miles needed for agiven flight. Members have to search forspecific flights to see how many reward miles are required to redeem seats onthose flights.
AlaskaAirlines has flights to over 900 destinations worldwide and offers highlydesirable rewards via its Mileage Plan Program. Members earn one mile for every mile flown on Alaska, and fliers earnelite status at just 20,000 miles. Elitefliers are allowed two free checked bags, priority check in and boarding, andpreferred seating.
Blackout dates apply when reservingflights with miles and miles expire after two years of inactivity.
AmericanAirlines AAdvantage members earn 5 to 11 miles per dollar spent, and 0.5 to 3qualifying miles per mile flown, based on fare class. They also earn miles from select hotel stays,car rentals, and dining.
Earned miles are forfeit after 18 monthsof inactivity.
UnitedAirlines MileagePlus members earn 5 to 11 miles per dollar spent, and 1 to 3miles per mile flown, based on fare class. Its program is transparent. Theairline publishes a flight award chart showing the maximum number of milesneeded for a given flight.
Its program flaws include a limited numberof seats available for award travel and the fact that its miles expire after 18months of inactivity.
Southwestoffers easy points redemption, generous earnings, and zero blackout dates. Members earn six to 12 points per dollarspent, based on fare class, and can accumulate additional points through hotelstays, car rentals, dining, and shopping. Rapid Rewards points can be redeemed at an average of 1 cent amile. Travelers that fly 100 qualifyingone-way flights, or accumulate 110,000 Rapid Rewards points, are awarded acoveted Companion Pass, good for free flights for a travel companion.
The biggest downside of the Rapid Rewardsprogram is that its points can only be redeemed for Southwest flights. Many other frequent flier programs allowmembers to redeem their miles for flights on other partner airlines.
JetBluesTrueBlue rewards program offer points that never expire and can be redeemedwithout any blackout dates. Members earn3 points per dollar spent and 6 points per every dollar spent when booking aflight directly on the airlines website. Its points are worth, on average, 1.3 cents each. Redemption is made easy by using theprograms Best Fair Finder calendar tool, which shows the cost in points forspecific flights on any day of the month.
Given that TrueBlue only offers one typeof elite membership status, there are no special perks for really frequentfliers. JetBlue flies to fewerdestinations than larger U.S. airlines.
People wishing to earn additional miles can do so bysigning up for and using airline sponsored credit cards. Every major U.S. airline offers its owncredit cards that provides customers with opportunities to earn extra points,miles, or cash back for eligible purchases. If you will do most of your flying on one airline, it usually isbeneficial to sign up for that airlines self-branded credit card and use thatcard to earn future rewards.
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