Air travel is expected to surge this summer and into the following months as more people get vaccinated and the CDC gives the go-ahead for travel. Airline fares probably won’t be overflowing with discounts as carriers try to recoup lost income — so now is an ideal moment to take full advantage of frequent flyer programs.
Below is a complete guide to frequent flyer miles and airline loyalty schemes.
Picking a Frequent Flyer Program
Nearly every major carrier runs one, and while you can enroll in multiple programs (it’s typically free) — your smartest move is to choose one and remain loyal to it. That approach helps you consolidate all your points toward a single redemption instead of scattering small balances across several airlines that may not amount to much.
Look for an airline that serves your local airport and offers regular, convenient service to the destinations you visit most. Thinking about using points for upgrades? Review what each airline offers for upgrades (for instance, Southwest doesn’t provide a first-class cabin).
Top Travel Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: This card carries a $95 annual fee and often comes with a signup bonus (for example, 100,000 points in introductory offers). Cardholders earn an unlimited 2X miles per dollar spent, and those miles can be redeemed for virtually any airline, hotel or rental car. Some promotions reward up to 100,000 extra miles when you charge $20,000 in the first year, or 50,000 miles for spending $3,000 within the initial three months. APR begins around 17.24%, depending on your creditworthiness.
Best U.S. Frequent Flyer Program
Delta SkyMiles: Miles never expire, and the program provides access to more than 20 partner carriers. You’ll earn five miles per dollar on Delta, Delta Connection or Delta Shuttle flights, along with mileage accrual on many partner airlines (varies by carrier). Additional miles are available through hotel stays, credit cards and alternative bookings like some Airbnb reservations. Points can be redeemed for flights, upgrades and hotel stays. Keep in mind that award seats can be limited, so booking early is often necessary.
Top Program for Alaska and the Western U.S.
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: You earn miles based on the distance flown with Alaska or participating partner airlines. Points can also be collected via hotel stays and airline-branded credit cards, then used for award flights, upgrades and lodging. The program allows you to transfer up to 100,000 miles per year to other Mileage Plan accounts for a fee of $10 per 1,000 miles plus a $25 processing fee. A drawback: miles can expire after two years of inactivity.
Best Choice for Holiday Travel
If you have kids and prefer not to pull them out of school for trips, Southwest Airlines is a sensible pick. Its Rapid Rewards program imposes no blackout dates, and points apply to any available seat. Redeeming points is straightforward, and they can also be used for hotels or car rentals. Plus, the points never expire.
How Airline Loyalty Programs Operate
Each carrier structures its loyalty program differently, so read the terms and conditions carefully. The following areas deserve special attention so you can maximize what you earn and redeem.
How You Earn Points
Points accumulate through flying, purchases at partner retailers, stays at participating hotels, or by using an airline-affiliated credit card. You can rack up miles by everyday activities like online shopping, filling out surveys and dining at partner restaurants.
Redeeming Your Miles
After you’ve collected miles, how should you spend them? A useful baseline is that airline miles are roughly worth 1 cent each. So using 40,000 miles for a ticket that would cost $400 is a fair exchange. A better deal is paying 25,000 miles for that same $400 ticket (about 1.6 cents per mile). Before booking, verify how the airline values award travel — some flights or peak times require more miles. Also note that you typically can’t use miles via third-party travel sites like Travelocity or Orbitz, and you’ll still owe taxes and fees, which can total several hundred dollars on international itineraries.
Do Frequent Flyer Miles Expire?
Many programs set expiration windows from a few months up to two years, though some carriers, such as Delta and Southwest, offer miles that never lapse. You can often prevent expiration by taking qualifying actions like staying at partner hotels, making purchases, or using your airline credit card. Always check the small print to be sure.
If you’d like to boost your accumulated miles without adding unnecessary travel, consider ways to earn frequent flyer miles through everyday spending and bonus opportunities.
Contributor Rachel Langford is a Boston-based writer covering frugal travel and consumer tips. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Real Simple and other outlets.
