Finding the right frequent flyer program: A beginner-friendly guide for travelers

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the world of frequent flyer programs?

If so, you’ve come to the right place!

With so many airlines to choose from, each different from one another, it’s easy to feel paralyzed by the sheer number of options and details that you need to consider.

However, worry not! Choosing the right program doesn’t have to be intimidating for much longer. This article will run you through the basics of frequent flyer programs, explore different programs, discuss the value of points and miles, and help you understand how to maximize your rewards.

Hopefully, by the end of this article, you can find the program that best suits your travel style and start reaping the benefits of your loyalty.

Whether you’re a frequent business traveler, a budget-conscious backpacker, or a luxury vacation enthusiast, there’s definitely a program out there with your name on it!

Choosing Your Frequent Flyer Program

There are several factors that you should consider when choosing your frequent flyer program:

First, ask yourself about your travel patterns. Do you mainly fly domestically or internationally? How often do you do so? Do you travel for business or leisure?

Knowing the answer to these questions is crucial because some programs excel in specific regions, whereas others offer better value on international routes.

Second, evaluate how easy it is for you to earn points or miles . Some programs offer bonus miles for specific credit cards, while others award points based on the distance traveled.

Consider how often you fly and if you’re willing to spend extra money to accelerate your earning rate. Look for programs with flexible earning options that align with your spending and travel habits.

After all, choosing a program that lets you swiftly accumulate points can make it easier for you to earn free flights.

Subsequently, you should research the airline’s guidelines on redeeming points and miles for flights. In other words, find out if you’ll truly be able to reap the benefits of accelerated point accumulation.

This is because in some cases, it’s easy to earn airline miles but difficult to redeem them due to unforeseen restrictions—which brings us to our next point: program flexibility.

Assess the flexibility of the program’s rules and regulations. Take note of the following: (1) their expiration policies, (2) any added fees for award tickets or tickets booked by using your airline miles, (3) whether or not points are transferable to other programs, and (4) if you can use your points to pay for other services aside from air travel, such as hotel stays.

Finally, ask yourself if status perks are important to you when flying. These perks can include priority check-in, baggage allowance increases, lounge access, and, in certain instances, complimentary upgrades.

Evaluate which perks are most valuable to you and how easily you can achieve and maintain your passenger status within each program.

By pondering these factors, you can choose a frequent flyer program that best suits your individual travel needs and maximizes the value of your travel rewards.

Best Frequent Flyer Programs

As of 2024 to 2025, here’s an overview of some of the best frequent flyer programs according to U.S. News:

1. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

   If you’re more of a domestic traveler, the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan might be the one for you.

   This program is perfect for travelers who often visit Alaska, the West Coast (e.g. Seattle and Portland), other major transportation hubs like Atlanta and New York City, as well as select destinations in Canada, Mexico, Belize, and Costa Rica.

   Upon joining, you’ll be able to collect points by flying with Alaska Airlines and taking other flights that qualify from its 30 partner airlines such as American Airlines, Iberia, and British Airways.

   In this program, miles are primarily collected through the distances you’ve flown, rather than how many dollars you’ve spent.

   It’s also possible to collect miles by using the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card at their shopping and dining forums.

   What’s more?

   You can earn miles by booking a hotel stay at Alaska Hotels, or at any of their six hotel partners, such as InterContinental, Best Western, and Marriott.

   You can then use your points in the future for a cabin upgrade or a free flight or hotel stay.

   Take note, though: Accounts that have been inactive for two years are consequently locked… but don’t fret!

   You can easily reopen your account by contacting their Guest Care Team. Upon reactivation, all your remaining or unused miles will still be valid.

2. American Airlines AAdvantage

   This program is a good fit for those who fly internationally and live in U.S. cities such as Los Angeles, New York City, Dallas, Chicago, Miami, and Charlotte.

   AAdvantage members can earn Loyalty Points by flying with American Airlines, American Eagle, and other codesharers such as Jet Blue and Hawaiian Airlines.

   Similar to Alaska Airlines, you can earn miles by flying with other Oneworld members, including Qantas, British Airways, and Qatar Airways.

   There’s more!

   By using the Citi AAdvantage or Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Mastercard for your everyday purchases, you’ll also be able to collect additional points.

   Furthermore, American Airlines is partnered with a variety of car rental companies, hotels, and cruise lines. This means you can use your AAdvantage points for different travel expenses.

   Given the vastness of American Airlines’ network, you can redeem your miles with over 1,000 partnered businesses for air travel, hotel stays, car rentals, and vacation packages.

   Take note that in contrast to Alaska Airlines, AAdvantage miles will expire after two years of account inactivity.

3. Southwest Rapid Rewards

   If you’re a frequent flyer who prefers a more economical approach to travel, Southwest Rapid Rewards may be the program for you.

   Southwest’s program caters to travelers who frequently visit major cities found in the U.S., Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Notably, Southwest has approximately 4,000 flights a day to over 100 destinations.

   Points are earned given how much you spend on Southwest flights, their hotels, and affiliated car rental and retail partners.

   Just like the previous two airlines, you can earn additional points if you use the company’s corresponding card. Southwest has a Southwest Rapid Rewards Card that you can use to accumulate additional points through making everyday purchases.

   What’s unique to Southwest credit card holders is that the points are also applicable to unique experiences such as wine tastings, concerts, golf trips, and more.

   BUT!

   Unlike the first two programs mentioned above, you don’t have to worry about point expiration with Rapid Rewards. Your points will remain valid for as long as you keep your account active.

4. United MileagePlus

   For certified globe-trotters, consider United MileagePlus. Like American Airlines’ program, United MileagePlus is for international travelers who travel to places like Asia, Central and South America, Mexico, Europe, and Australia.

   United is partnered with over 40 other airlines, including Singapore Airlines , ANA , and Lufthansa . Thus, the miles you earn as a MileagePlus member will also be applicable to these airlines.

   You’ll be able to earn Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) and Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) with each flight.

   With enough PQFs and PQPs, you’ll eventually achieve Premier status, which comes with added benefits.

   Miles can also be earned through certain cruise vacations, car rentals, shopping, dining, and more.

   Given United’s partnership with hotel brands like Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG, you’ll accumulate rewards when staying at any of their properties all over the globe.

   Your miles may be consumed for future flights, hotel stays, cruises, and destination experiences like sporting events and theater shows.

   United also offers four different credit cards that you can earn miles on every time you spend. United’s mileage points do not expire.

5. HawaiianMiles

   Finally, Hawaiian Miles is for travelers from the U.S. venturing to areas within Asia, the South Pacific, and the Hawaiian Islands.

   Although the airline only offers 30 domestic and international destinations combined, they provide nonstop flights to Hawaii daily from several cities in the U.S.

   By now you know the drill: You can earn miles by booking flights and certain hotels, and shopping at Hawaiian Airlines’ partner vendors.

   Additionally, if you sign up for the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard, you’ll be able to quickly earn miles by using their card for your purchases.

   You can then redeem your hard-earned miles to pay for your future hotel stays, car rentals, and flights—not just with Hawaiian Airlines, but also with their partners, such as JetBlue and Korean Air.

   What else?

   With Hawaiian, you don’t have to stress yourself out over your miles expiring!

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Navigating the world of frequent flyer programs may seem daunting, but hopefully, this article helped make it less intimidating.

Remember: Frequent flyer programs are constantly evolving, so it’s important to stay updated on program changes and maximize your earning potential through strategic planning and everyday spending.

By leveraging the benefits of these programs, you can unlock free flights, upgrades, and other valuable perks that can enhance your travel experiences.

So, what are you waiting for?

Don’t let the complexity of frequent flyer programs scare you!

With some effort and a whole lot of patience, you can unlock a world of travel rewards and make your journeys more enjoyable.