Get the Ball Rolling...

Although I have traveled since I was in diapers, I was not a believer.  Like many others, I enjoyed an occasional vacation but figured I didn’t travel enough to justify joining a frequent flyer program.  What was the point?? 

That all changed about 12 years ago when I saw the proverbial light and embraced the frequent flyer philosophy --- get miles, miles, and more miles.   Acquired miles (points or segments – depending on the airline) can be redeemed for free air travel; other goods or services; or increased benefits, such as travel class upgrades, airport lounge access, or priority bookings.  I have adopted a lifestyle that is all about reaping the benefits of frequent flyer programs and have decided to share what I’ve learned over the years.    

I’m a bit of a mileage junkie (to put it mildly) and I’ve learned a few things along the way that I want to share with you.  I've learned that travel is not the only way to get frequent flyer miles and have committed myself to earning miles whenever and wherever possible.

With that said, here are a few tips to get the ball rolling with earning frequent flyer miles and rewards points.

First things, first:

Enroll

Enroll in one, if not all frequent flyer and customer rewards programs.  Just about every airline and hotel has some type of loyalty program.  At minimum, you should enroll in the rewards program for the airline which you are most likely to use when traveling (consider the airline with the most flights out of the airport closest to you).  

Here are a few Airline Frequent Flyer Programs to get you started:

American Airlines: Aadvantage® Program

US Airways: Dividend Miles

Delta: SkyMiles

Southwest: Rapid Rewards

Air Tran: a+ Rewards

United:  Mileage Plus
JetBlue: TrueBlue

How to Earn Miles/Points

Travel  It goes without saying that EVERY time you book a flight you should enter your frequent flyer membership number.  However, there are several ways to earn miles even if you never take a trip! Let me tell you how.

Shop!  I’m a shopaholic that loves a good sale. So when I couple a good deal with an opportunity to earn frequent flyer miles, I am psyched!!  Most airlines have an online shopping mall that give you miles for every dollar you spend.  You don't need a special credit card to use it! 

Simply register on the online shopping mall website with your frequent flyer number; bookmark the website; register a credit or debit card; and use the site to locate popular online  retailers like Groupon, Target, the Gap, Macy’s,  Sephora, Walmart and Best Buy.

Any time you shop online through the online shopping mall or use your registered credit or debit card with participating retailers: online, in-store,  or through catalogs, you'll earn miles or points. Enroll today and earn more rewards than ever before.

• American Airlines Aadvantage:  Advantage eshopping
• United Mileage Plus:  Mileage Plus Shopping
• US Airways: Dividend Miles Storefront
• Delta: SkyMiles Shopping
• Southwest: Rapid Rewards Shopping

Dine out! Register up to 5 credit or debit cards with  your preferred loyalty program’s dining program and get up to 5 miles per dollar each time you dine at a participating restaurant including tax and gratuity.  Use the dining rewards website (or app) to locate restaurants in your city and start getting miles today.

Hotel Stays.   Most hotels have partnered with your favorite frequent flyer program to provide miles for hotel stays.  Many hotel customer rewards programs give you the option to accrue miles versus rewards points for each hotel stay. Register with your favorite hotels’ guest rewards programs for other great perks and travel incentives.

Credit/Debit Cards.   Each airline has a credit card that gives you mileage for each dollar spent many of which include promotional offers up to 30,000 miles when you make a minimum purchase within a specified time frame.  Click here for a listing of various airline/mileage credit cards.

A few banks are affiliated with frequent flyer programs or have their own rewards program so that when you use your debit or bank card you earn miles or points for everyday expenses. Consider opening a checking account and request a debit card to earn miles for everyday purchases. Some debit cards/banks offer basic rewards which allow you to redeem tons of things -- from gift cards to travel rewards.  Ask your bank if they have a debit card affiliated with a mileage program or some other travel rewards.

Here are a few affiliations I know for sure:

Frequent Flyer Program	Affiliated Bank
US Airways Dividend Miles	Bank of America (exp. 9/30/12)
Delta SkyMiles	Sun Trust

These are just a few simple tips to get the ball rolling with earning airline mileage for every day purchases.  The world is too full of beauty and adventure to allow the cost of travel to keep you from it.   As long as you continue to earn miles with some eligible activity (travel, shopping, dining, etc.), your miles do not expire.   So why not earn miles and see the world?  

Get the ball rolling...get it?!