Booking Airline Tickets With Miles-Our Top Tips

Many of our clients ask us about some tips to use frequent flyer miles to purchase or upgrade a long haul flight. Using miles to purchase and/or upgrade a flight is more of an art than a science.  Here are our top tips to increase your chances of success in booking airline tickets with miles.

Be Flexible on Dates

If you have flexibility on your departure and return dates by even a day or two, this will increase your chances of finding a seat in premium economy, business and or first class. There are certain days of the week that it is more difficult to find premium seating and it varies. We recommend checking alternate dates to see if it helps.

Try to Find Mileage Saver Rates

Some of the airline mileage programs, offer saver rates that allow you to book premium seating on flights for less miles. These rates are not always available especially during peak travel times. They are also rarely available for certain prime routes like to Australia from the United States because of the length of the flight. Nevertheless, keep an eye out for these saver rates.

Start Checking Early and Often

Airlines start to release mileage tickets and upgrades just under a year before departure (335 days). Sometimes, the best options are made available right away, so it is good to check early. The availability changes however day by day and sometimes better options arise later. It always pays to check back often. In fact, occasionally there are some last minute deals with miles.  If you prefer to call the airlines by phone and speak to someone to assist, please note that they may add on a small fee if you use them to book it. In calling the airlines, you should also be persistent. If you can’t get the flight you want one day, call another day and see if someone else including a supervisor can find you a flight.

Be Flexible on Airports

Sometimes you can use airport flexibility to increase your chance of booking airline tickets with miles. For example, if you are looking for a mileage ticket from San Diego and don’t see one, check and see if one is available to/from LA. You can then pay for a relatively cheap flight, drive or take the train to the airport. Another good example is if you are looking for a premium seat to Cape Town South Africa and do not see any availability, check out availability to Johannesburg which is a short and inexpensive flight away.

Weigh Airline Credit Cards Based on Partners

Each of the major airlines have airline partners that can give you access to some of the top international airlines for business and first class. For example, Qatar Airlines who has an award-winning Qsine business class product, is an American partner as is British Airways. Lufthansa and top notch Singapore Air are United partners. Emirates Airlines if you want to have a martini and a shower a la Jennifer Aniston, is an Alaska partner.

Consider Cost and Benefits of Buying or Sharing Miles

If you are short on miles, you can purchase miles up to a certain limit per year depending on the airline. There are times when the airlines will offer a special deal with more miles for the same price. It is always important to compare what you are spending on the miles with the value that you are getting (i.e. what you would spend to buy that ticket in cash).

Having someone transfer their miles is another option. However, the airlines charge for that so if you and your traveling companion both have miles it is better to use each person’s miles up to each person’s limit so that you do not have to pay much for any transfer.

After you book your flights with miles remember that we are experts at finding you the best hotel deals and booking tours for you at no additional cost to you. Please contact us.

Purple Light Vacations provides you with the knowledge, insight and personalized service to make your vacation all you want it to be at no additional cost. We help you travel in the know wherever you go. To get started, fill out this quick form or call 619.324.1444 (ext. 3).