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Ski Vertigo, a leading travel expert, emphasises the best ways to maximise your airline points and miles, ensuring you get the most value out of your travel rewards.
By implementing these strategies, you can effectively use your airline points and miles to secure almost-free travel, making your adventures more affordable and frequent.
1. Sign Up for Multiple Frequent Flyer Programmes
Many airlines offer loyalty programmes that reward you with points or miles for every flight you take. Sign up for multiple programmes to maximise your earning potential, especially with airlines you fly frequently. Even if you prefer one airline, having accounts with others can be beneficial for codeshare flights and partners.
2. Use Co-Branded Credit Cards
Airline-specific credit cards often offer generous sign-up bonuses, which can be enough for a free flight. These cards also provide additional miles for every purchase, especially on travel-related expenses. Some cards also offer perks like priority boarding, free checked bags, and access to airport lounges.
3. Leverage Sign-Up Bonuses
Many credit cards offer substantial sign-up bonuses, sometimes enough for a round-trip flight. Ensure you meet the minimum spending requirements within the specified period to earn these bonuses. This can be a quick way to accumulate a significant number of miles.
4. Book Award Flights Early
Airlines release a limited number of seats for award travel, and these can be snatched up quickly. Book as early as possible to ensure availability, especially for popular routes and during peak travel seasons. Setting fare alerts can help you keep track of when award seats are released.
5. Optimise Redemption Values
Not all redemptions offer the same value. Use your miles where you get the highest return per mile. For example, long-haul international flights in business or first class often provide better value per mile compared to domestic economy flights.
6. Take Advantage of Airline Alliances
Airline alliances like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, and Oneworld allow you to earn and redeem miles across multiple airlines. This can significantly increase your options for earning and using miles. Booking through alliance partners can sometimes offer better availability and lower mileage costs.
7. Earn Miles Through Everyday Spending
Many credit cards allow you to earn miles on everyday purchases, not just travel-related expenses. Additionally, some cards offer bonus miles for specific categories like dining, groceries, or petrol. Utilise these opportunities to rack up miles on your routine spending.
8. Monitor Promotions and Bonus Offers
Airlines and credit card companies frequently run promotions that offer bonus miles for specific actions, such as flying a new route, staying at a partner hotel, or renting a car from a partner company. Sign up for newsletters and follow airlines on social media to stay informed about these opportunities.
9. Consider Mileage Runs
A mileage run is a trip taken solely to accumulate miles. While this may seem extreme, it can be worth it if you’re close to reaching a higher status tier or earning enough miles for a free flight. Look for cheap flights that offer a high number of miles per pound spent.
10. Utilise Stopovers and Open-Jaw Tickets
Some airlines allow you to include a stopover (a break in your journey for an extended period) or an open-jaw (flying into one city and out of another) on award tickets for no extra miles. This can add significant value to your redemption by allowing you to visit multiple destinations on one award ticket.
Additional Tips
- Transfer Points from Other Programmes: Some credit card points can be transferred to airline loyalty programmes. For example, American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Points can be converted into miles with various airlines. This can help you top up your miles for a redemption.
- Book Flights with Flexible Dates: Having flexibility in your travel dates can help you find flights with lower mileage costs. Some airlines offer calendars showing the lowest redemption rates, making it easier to plan around these dates.
- Use Online Tools and Communities: Websites and forums like The Points Guy, FlyerTalk, and Reddit’s r/churning provide valuable insights and tips from other travellers. These communities can alert you to deals, strategies, and changes in award availability or policies.
A spokesperson from Ski Vertigo commented on the findings: “Travelling smart with your airline points and miles can save you money and enhance your travel experience. Consider using your points for upgrades rather than economy flights. Upgrading from economy to business class offers excellent value for your miles, especially on long-haul flights. This not only makes your journey more comfortable but includes perks like extra baggage allowance and access to airport lounges, saving money on food and amenities. Another tip is to use points for hotel stays. Many airline loyalty programmes partner with hotel chains, allowing you to use your miles for accommodation, which is particularly useful for longer trips.
To maximise these benefits, keep an eye out for special promotions that offer additional miles for activities such as dining out or shopping with specific retailers. Many credit card companies and airlines have partnerships that provide bonus miles for purchases at certain stores or restaurants, enhancing the value of your everyday spending. By strategically combining the miles earned through these promotions with those from your co-branded credit card, you can significantly increase your total miles. This approach ensures you accumulate miles faster, making it easier to upgrade flights and secure hotel stays, ultimately stretching your travel budget further and enhancing your overall travel experience.”
The 'Travel' Life of Brian 