These days cheap airfare, whether cheap airplane tickets or cheap vacation packages, often appears to have more value than frequent flier mileage which is becoming increasingly difficult to redeem for free flights. One credit card company is currently running TV ads which show an agent with her feet on the desk casually telling every frequent flier who calls that no free seats are available. Frequent fliers are understandably frustrated.
The following are tips to make the most of frequent flier miles:
If you hope to accumulate enough frequent flier miles for free tickets be aware that there are many ways, beyond just flying on the airline, to earn miles. Not only can you earn miles via credit card purchases, but also often through phone companies, mutual funds, and hotels, to name but a few.
The more often you earn miles and the more miles you earn will prevent your miles from expiring and very possibly result in you earning enough miles to pay the double miles often needed to purchase tickets on planes with no remaining free seats.
Be aware of how many miles you have earned and what airline bonuses you can qualify for by reaching specific airline goals. Sometimes it is worth taking an early trip to achieve an airline target that expires at the end of a calendar year.
Purchase airline tickets with frequent flier miles as far in advance as possible. Some airlines allow mileage redemptions 364 days prior to flying. Otherwise you face the possibility of the airline devaluing your miles prior to leaving or no seats being available during peak flying periods.
Consider paying for a coach ticket and then upgrading. If you are flying overseas, this is often the best way to get the greatest value out of your frequent flier miles.
Try to redeem your miles for longer flights which tend to be more expensive vs. short domestic flights which are often cheap.
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