Best Ways to Get More Frequent Flyer Miles (Part 2)

OK, in the first part of this series before I was rudely interrupted by bandwidth issues we looked at the Best Ways to Get More Frequent Flyer Miles and I cautioned you on spending those hard earned air miles straight away and this is why.

Your Frequent Flyer Miles are more valuable on higher reward status tiers.

That's right, the rich keep getting richer, but hey you'll be hobnobbing it with the best of them really soon so don't rock the boat. Just resist blowing those hard-earned Frequent Flyer Miles until you've reached the highest possible rewards status tier you can in one year.

And best of all you can use all those Frequent Flyer Miles to maintain your status tier once you get there as the higher you go the less qualifying flights or miles you'll need to earn.

Here's an example of the difference between the status tiers for American Airlines:-

When you get past the Platinum status, upgrades are more frequent and at the top tier they are automatic.

Similarly, here's the bonus miles you earn at each Status Tier.

Yes, the rich are getting richer and in this example, 80% richer based on the bonus Frequent Flyer Miles between a Gold and Executive Platinum Member.

Something to consider for sure.

So let's take a look at the best ways to spend your Frequent Flyer Miles to maximize your rewards.

Best Ways to Spend Frequent Flyer Miles

Luxury Items

Now you're probably dreaming of buying new appliances or getting free hotel stays for your holiday, but these aren't the best ways to use your Frequent Flyer Miles unless they are heavily discounted. Because often these items will be on-sale elsewhere and you'll usually be paying overs if you use your Frequent Flyer Miles to purchase these luxury items.

Only buy luxury items when they are heavily discounted (usually 30% or more) and always check the price in other stores.

Your Air Miles are worth about 1 - 1.5 cents per mile, so you do the math. Here's a handy website to help you convert your miles for each of the different airlines.

Economy Flights

Ok, so you're probably working out how many economy flights you can squeeze out of your Frequent Flyer Miles and that's OK if they're on sale. Yes, airlines have Air Miles Sales periodically and this the best time to spend your Frequent Flyer Miles.

Plan ahead and you'll really feel like a frequent flyer, and best of all if you change your mind later there is usually little or no charge to cancel the flight depending on your tier status.

Plus, the more qualifying segments you fly the quicker you'll get to that next tier.

NB: Usually you don't earn more frequent miles on free flights, but you do earn qualifying segments

Here are the segments or miles you'll need to earn to qualify for each status tier on American Airlines.

In the previous post, I talked about taking a heap of discounted short flights to get those 30 qualifying segments done as quickly as possible and this is why.

30 cheap flights get you to a Gold Tier as long as you also spend $3000 along the way.

Tip: Remember this is only during one calendar year, so plan accordingly.

Business Class Flights

Ok, now we are at the business end of this post. Literally.

The best way to spend your Frequent Flyer Miles is actually on Business Class flights and let me tell you why.

Firstly, having flown Business Class, I wonder why you would ever suffer Economy Class flights if you didn't need to. You are certainly treated differently as a Business Class Passenger.

As a Business Class passenger, you get more luggage allowances, you'll get more leg room, eat and drink like a king and best of all you'll often get a complimentary pass to the Business Lounge.

Where you'll continue to eat and drink like a king and get complimentary magazines and newspapers and even have the opportunity to take a refreshing shower if you need one after a long day.

Business Class passengers typically board first, and you'll have your first drink in hand usually before you take off.

And best of all the price of a Business Class Awards Flight is usually only twice that of a cramped and uncomfortable Economy Class ticket. Bonus!

In fact, I prefer to use my Frequent Flyer Miles on short-haul Business Class flights so as I don't eat into my rewards too quickly and can maximize my enjoyment of the Business Class Lounges over a full year.

And as with the Economy Class ticket strategy, be sure to plan ahead and take advantage of any Award Flight Sales during the year. As a 50% off Business Class ticket is the same as normal priced Economy one.

Thus you get more bang for your buck, just by being a savvy shopper and planning ahead.

Network, Network, Network

So when you're on those Business Class Flights don't forget to network, because you never know who you'll meet in the air.

And don't forget to swap contact details even if you can't see a reason now, as it doesn't take much to be LinkedIn buddies, and it might just be helpful in the future.

Good Luck and I hope this mini-series on Frequent Flyer Miles Hacking has been of some value to you. Just remember to save your Air Miles until you're ready to travel it in style.

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