Main WikiMiles News Save Big on Flights: Here’s how to earn airline miles quickly!

Save Big on Flights: Here’s how to earn airline miles quickly!

16 Jan 2025

Imagine jet-setting to your next adventure without paying a cent for your ticket…

The best part?

Getting there doesn’t require spending thousands on airfare!

What’s the real secret to that?

It’s in turning your everyday purchases, clever choices, and a few pro tips into miles that bring you closer to your next flight.

So, fasten your seatbelt as we unlock ways to boost your miles, fast-track your rewards, and start flying for a cheaper price!

  • Choose the right credit card

    Credit cards are a great way to earn airline miles through everyday spending. Airline-branded credit cards allow you to earn miles for each dollar spent, with bonus miles for purchases made with the airline or on travel. These cards are ideal for frequent flyers looking to redeem miles for free or discounted flights.

    Many cards offer generous welcome bonuses, typically requiring a specific spending amount within the first few months. Here are some top options:

  • Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending USD 7,000 in the first three months. Annual fee: USD 595.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending USD 2,000 in the first six months. Annual fee: None for the first year, USD 150 thereafter.
  • United℠ Business Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending USD 5,000 in the first three months. Annual fee: None for the first year, USD 99 afterwards.
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending USD 1,000 in the first three months. Annual fee: USD 149.
  • Maximize shopping portals

    Major airlines offer shopping portals to help you earn miles on online purchases. Simply log in to the airline’s portal, select a retailer, and your purchase will be tracked for miles.

    What’s more?

    To maximize your miles, use sites like Cashback Monitor to compare earning rates across various airline portals, points programs, and cash-back offers.

    Some airlines also offer extra miles through partner programs. For instance, American Airlines’ Simply Miles program allows Mastercard holders to earn miles both online and in-store for qualifying purchases.

  • Earn miles through dining

    Another great way to accumulate points and prevent them from expiring is by linking your credit card to a frequent flyer dining program. This is because when you dine at participating restaurants and pay with your linked card, you’ll earn points based on your total bill.

    If you use a general travel rewards card, you can also earn miles or points for dining purchases. To maximize your rewards, check the credit card’s merchant category codes to ensure you’re earning the most miles or points for each transaction.

  • Fly regularly

    When flying with an airline that offers a loyalty program, it’s beneficial to join and add your loyalty number to each booking. This allows you to accumulate miles for each eligible flight, which can be redeemed for future flights or even inflight discounts, depending on the program.

    Frequent flyers can attain elite status within their loyalty programs and unlock a range of perks such as extra baggage, priority check-in, first-class upgrades, and lounge access to make travel more enjoyable.

    What’s more?

    Elite members receive a higher reward mileage rate than non-elite members!

    For example: At Delta Air, the standard frequent flyers are rewarded with 5 miles for every dollar spent, while the upper-tier Diamond elites earn 11 miles for every dollar spent. Similar benefits apply in other airlines’ loyalty programs such as JetBlue’s, American Airlines’, and United Airlines’.

  • Take advantage of stacking deals

    To boost your mileage earnings, you can use “stacking” by combining multiple ways of earning miles or points at once.

    Additionally, look for special offers from airlines and credit card issuers, which may offer extra miles or cash back when using a specific card with certain retailers. By combining a shopping portal, a retailer’s bonus offer, and a rewards credit card, you can “triple-stack” your miles and fast-track your rewards.

Overall, earning airline miles doesn’t have to be a complicated task. It’s all about making smart choices and maximizing every opportunity you get.

So, the next time you shop or book a flight, always remember that every point counts.

Are you ready to make your airline miles work for you?

The sky’s the limit!

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