Right now, someone miles above the ground is enjoying caviar with a porcelain spoon or sipping on a $300 bottle of Champagne. They’re flying international first class with top-notch airlines like Cathay Pacific or Emirates, and they managed to snag this luxurious experience for just a few hundred dollars. If you’re wondering how to travel to Europe or the South Pacific for less than a family dinner out, read on.
There are two main types of travel rewards to consider: frequent flyer miles and hotel points. You can earn these through different strategies or buy them during special sales. You don’t need to board a plane or book a hotel night to start collecting. Frequent business travelers often find it easier to build up points, just like they accumulate those mini hotel shampoos, but anyone can quickly earn enough miles to take your spouse across the Atlantic or bring the whole family to Hawaii without much hassle.
Getting started is straightforward. First, sign up for the frequent flyer program of your favorite airline and any hotels you frequent. Each airline has its own rewards program, so it’s wise to choose one airline (or its alliance) and stick with it. For example, if you’re in Chicago, you might want to fly with American or United since they have major hubs there, giving you more direct flight options no matter your destination, from Tokyo to Wichita.
Flying frequently is the easiest way to earn miles, though these days, U.S. airlines award miles based on how much you spend rather than the distance you travel. For example, Delta, United, and American calculate miles on ticket prices minus taxes and fees. So, a flight from New York to Boston could earn you as many redeemable miles as a trip from New York to London if the fares are similar.
Alaska Airlines, however, still rewards you based on distance. A one-way flight from New York to Los Angeles earns you around 2,500 miles, regardless of the ticket price. Frequent flyers with elite status earn even more miles in both cases.
Credit card bonuses offer a faster route to free flights. Some high-end cards provide up to 50,000 miles for signing up and meeting spending requirements, but these usually come with an annual fee around $100 and require a few thousand dollars in spending within the first months. The benefits, however, can be significant, enhancing both your miles and hotel points balances.
Certain credit cards allow you to book travel through their platforms or transfer points to airlines and hotels directly.
Redeeming miles is often easier once you have enough for your destination. With one airline’s miles, you can also book flights with their partners. For instance, United’s MileagePlus miles can be used with Air Canada, Lufthansa, and others for similar rates. Expect to use 25/35/50k miles for domestic U.S. flights in economy/business/first class, and more for international flights, depending on the region. Remember, award flights may have limited availability, so if there’s a seat for purchase, it might not be bookable with miles.
Hotel points are usually earned within that chain’s program, although miles are an option in some cases. Generally, you get the most value from hotel points. Points are awarded based on how much you spend, such as the room rate, meals, and spa services, excluding taxes.
Hotel credit cards can quickly boost your point balance, similar to airline cards. Sign-up bonuses vary, often between 20,000 to 150,000 points. You can even earn points when buying a timeshare from the hotel chain—always worth asking during negotiations.
Finding free hotel rooms is often easier than free flights. Many chains offer free stays if a standard room is available. Points needed vary widely depending on the chain, location, and the hotel itself. More expensive hotels usually require more points. We suggest consulting our hotel program overview before selecting a program.
Buying miles and points is another option, usually best for topping up your account before redeeming. For instance, if a roundtrip from Seattle to Miami costs 25,000 miles and you have 22,000, you can buy the additional 3,000 miles. This typically costs more than the value you’d get, so it’s best for specific needs. Occasionally, airlines offer discounts on miles, and it’s smart to take advantage of these later, once you’re familiar with how each program works.
