Most airline mileage programs sell all kinds of products, so how much do you have to fly to earn a smart TV, a diamond watch or even a box of chocolates?
If I am taking a flight and they are not partnered with either of my
main airline mileage programs, I always create an account with that airline.
These are the most
versatile airline mileage programs per alliance I've found through experience — that is, the ones whose miles can be used with partners and redeemed with them too.
Marriott Rewards does offer the ability to transfer your points into other rewards programs, but the transfer rates are dismal compared to the SPG ® program (which offers plenty
of airline mileage programs with much better transfer rates).
Through relief flights, the transportation of emergency supplies, airline employee volunteer efforts and fundraising programs facilitated
through airline mileage programs, U.S. cargo and passenger carriers transported more than 4.5 million pounds of life - saving food, water and supplies, accommodated more than 6,500 evacuees, relocated hundreds of stranded pets and relaxed travel policies to more than 80 airports in the path of the hurricanes.
AAdvantage has been acclaimed as one of the more customer -
friendly airline mileage programs, with elite status acquired solely through mileage or segment accumulation rather than the elite status points many foreign carriers prefer.
Most
airlines mileage programs allow you to earn miles by flying with that carrier or its partners, through co-branded credit card spending and through other channels.
And most importantly, if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or the Ink Bold card, you can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to 5
different airline mileage programs (and some hotel programs but we'll worry about airlines for this post.)
Unlike
other airline mileage programs, KrisFlyer miles expire 36 months after they are earned, and activity in your account does NOT extend your expiration.
When it comes to understanding the dark science
of airline mileage programs, and then explaining it even to mega frequent flyers like myself, Petersen and Winship are my pilots of choice.
Most credit cards tied to
airline mileage programs will give you heaps of bonus miles for signing up and meeting a spending requirement.
Ultimate Reward points are valuable whether you transfer them to
an airline mileage program or if you book directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal, which gives you a 20 percent discount on the price of any flight when you pay with a mix of points and cash.
While there are a number of redemption options for Choice Privileges points including gift certificates and transfers to
airline mileage programs, the best use of your points is to book free nights at hotels.
All you'll need is an Internet connection and your account information for both your SPG account and
the airline mileage program to which you want to transfer.
This means that there are many routes with open seats available for award tickets going empty, but you may have to call
the airline mileage program to find them.
The average traveler doesn't fly very often so cultivating loyalty with
an airline mileage program might seem like a challenge.
You never know when
an airline mileage program will devalue their miles by changing redemption levels or rules with no notice.
Members can also typically transfer points via participating hotels and
airline mileage programs.
Ultimate Reward points are valuable whether you transfer them to
an airline mileage program or if you book directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal, which gives you a 20 percent discount on the price of any flight when you pay with a mix of points and cash.
NOTICE: Preferred Hotels & Resorts will discontinue
the Airline Mileage Program effective May 31, 2018.
Spector also stays loyal to two
airline mileage programs, Virgin and American Airlines.
Each airline mileage program I cover has its own page with a table of credit cards as well as what types of bonus offers I typically look for before applying.
That said, not
all airline mileage programs are as accepting as others, even within alliances, so the key is to use the most versatile airline alliance per airline.
While there are a number of redemption options for Choice Privileges points including gift certificates and transfers to
airline mileage programs, the best use of your points is to book free nights at hotels.
But, of course, not
all airline mileage program is created equally!
There's a negative change to yet
another airline mileage program: Korean Air has announced that it's adding new fees to its SKYPASS mileage program.
According to at least one
airline mileage program it is.