Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Frequent Flier Miles
Trying to save and cash in frequent-flier miles can push some people to do irrational things – like paying premium prices for everyday items, or buying more expensive plane tickets just to rack up points. To help you get better mileage out of your miles, Real Simple Magazine offers some tips:
Look into partner airlines and alliances: For example, if you have enough miles with American Airlines, you can fly across the Atlantic on British Airways or Iberia. To search for alliances, go to www.airlinetechnology.net/airlines/alliances.
Check early: Frequent-flier tickets can go on sale as much as 11 months in advance, so for the best chance of getting a seat, book ahead. Even if the airline charges you a fee for booking over the phone, it may be worth it - talking to an agent could reveal award flights on a partner airline that an online search of one airline won't. Also, consider branching out from your usual departure and destination points. Flying into a lesser-known airport may allow you to use miles you otherwise could not.
Consolidate: You'll earn award travel faster if you do most of your flying with one airline or within one alliance group. Don't open accounts with multiple airlines in the same alliance. Northwest, Delta and Continental Airlines are all in SkyTeam, for example, so if you have a frequent-flier account with Northwest and fly Delta, you don't need one with Delta. Just credit the miles to your Northwest account. Those who already have small balances in multiple loyalty programs can exchange miles through conversion Web site www.points.com.
Maintain your account: Most programs require members to earn or redeem miles regularly - usually at least every 18 months - in order to keep the ones they've already accumulated. So keep your account active.
Get a quick fix: If you are within a few thousand miles of a reward and are planning a vacation, you can top off your miles instantly by buying more. However, this sometimes can be a rip-off. A better option may be to sign up for the airline's credit card. Some cards offer generous bonuses of up to 25,000 miles for the first purchase.
Explore your options: If you still can't book a flight with your miles, don't sit back and let them expire. Upgrading, sometimes for as little as 5,000 miles, is one of the easiest ways to use them. Miles also can get you free car rentals and hotel stays, or you can donate them to worthy causes like the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Unicef.
– By Ed Coury, senior editor and Midwest bureau chief for the Wall Street Journal Radio Network, Dow Jones & Co., and a reporter for WWJ Newsradio 950.
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Trying to save and cash in frequent-flier miles can push some people to do irrational things – like paying premium prices for everyday items, or buying more expensive plane tickets just to rack up points. To help you get better mileage out of your miles, Real Simple Magazine offers some tips: 
