How to Use Reward Points and Miles for Cheap Flights

Using reward points and miles to book flights can be a game-changer for your travel budget, allowing you to score cheap or even free flights. Whether you’re new to travel rewards or a seasoned point collector, understanding how to effectively use your points and miles can maximize your savings and enhance your travel experiences. Here’s a guide on how to use reward points and miles to find and book cheap flights.

1. Understanding Reward Points and Miles

Before diving into how to use them, it’s important to understand what reward points and miles are:

• Reward Points: Often associated with credit card loyalty programs, these points can be earned through everyday spending and are typically redeemable for travel, merchandise, or cashback.
• Frequent Flyer Miles: These are earned through airline loyalty programs based on the distance flown, ticket purchases, or even credit card spending. They are redeemable for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related perks.

2. Maximizing Your Points and Miles

To make the most of your reward points and miles, follow these strategies:

1. Accumulate Points and Miles Strategically

• Sign-Up Bonuses: Many travel rewards credit cards offer significant sign-up bonuses. By meeting the minimum spend requirement, you can quickly accumulate a large number of points or miles.
• Bonus Categories: Use your reward credit cards for purchases in bonus categories, such as dining, travel, or groceries, to earn extra points or miles.
• Loyalty Programs: Join airline and hotel loyalty programs to earn miles or points for every stay or flight. Even if you’re not a frequent traveler, occasional stays or flights can accumulate valuable rewards.

1. Choose the Right Program

• Airline Partnerships: Many airlines are part of global alliances, such as Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld. Accumulating miles with one airline can often be used for flights on partner airlines, giving you more flexibility.
• Flexible Points Programs: Some credit card reward programs, like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards, allow you to transfer points to a variety of airline and hotel partners. This flexibility can increase your chances of finding the best flight deals.

3. Searching for Flights with Points and Miles

When you’re ready to use your points or miles, follow these steps:

1. Check Airline Websites

• Frequent Flyer Programs: Log in to your airline’s frequent flyer program website to search for flights. Many airlines have a dedicated section for award flights, where you can see available flights and redemption options.
• Partner Airlines: If your miles are part of an alliance, check partner airlines’ websites as well. Availability and redemption rates can vary between airlines within the same alliance.

1. Use Reward Booking Tools

• Travel Reward Sites: Websites like AwardWallet or ExpertFlyer can help track and manage your points and miles. They also provide tools for searching award availability and finding the best redemption options.
• Flexible Points Search: If you’re using flexible points, use the travel portal provided by your credit card issuer to search for flights. Some issuers offer a platform where you can redeem points directly for flights or transfer points to airline partners.

4. Tips for Getting the Most Value

To ensure you’re getting the best value for your points and miles, consider these tips:

1. Book Early

• Advance Planning: Award seats can be limited, especially on popular routes or during peak travel seasons. Booking well in advance increases your chances of securing a seat at the lowest redemption rate.
• Be Flexible: Flexibility with your travel dates and destinations can help you find available award seats. Many programs offer lower rates for flights on less popular dates or times.

1. Look for Sweet Spots

• Award Charts: Some airlines have award charts that show the number of miles needed for different destinations. Look for “sweet spots” where the mileage requirements are lower compared to other programs or routes.
• Promotions and Discounts: Keep an eye out for promotions or discounts on award flights. Airlines sometimes offer reduced mileage rates for specific routes or periods.

1. Pay Attention to Fees and Surcharges

• Additional Costs: While you might be using points or miles for the bulk of the ticket cost, be aware of additional fees and surcharges that might not be covered by rewards. These can include taxes, fuel surcharges, and service fees.
• Compare Costs: Compare the total cost of booking a flight with points versus paying cash. Sometimes, the value of points may not be worth the additional fees.

5. Using Points for Upgrades

In addition to using points and miles for flights, consider using them for upgrades:

• Class Upgrades: Some programs allow you to use points or miles to upgrade from economy to business or first class. This can enhance your travel experience and provide added value for your rewards.
• Additional Benefits: Upgrades can also come with added benefits, such as priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and access to lounges, which can make your trip more comfortable.

6. Alternative Redemption Options

If you’re not interested in flights, many reward programs offer alternative redemption options:

• Hotel Stays: Use points or miles for hotel stays, which can be a valuable way to save on accommodation costs during your trip.
• Car Rentals: Some programs allow you to redeem points for car rentals, adding convenience and savings to your travel plans.
• Cashback or Merchandise: If travel isn’t on the horizon, you might be able to redeem points or miles for cashback or merchandise, providing flexibility in how you use your rewards.

Conclusion

Using reward points and miles effectively can significantly reduce your travel costs and enhance your travel experience. By strategically accumulating points, choosing the right programs, and following tips for maximizing value, you can find cheap flights and enjoy a range of travel benefits. Keep these strategies in mind as you plan your next trip, and you’ll be well on your way to making the most of your reward points and miles.