Learn 7 Tips for Getting the Most out of Airline Miles

4) Think about cashing in your miles.

If you don’t have any specific trip plans, you can put your miles to use in other ways. For example, you can easily convert your miles into a statement credit to cover the cost of other travel purchases, such as hotel accommodations or car rentals, or into cash that you can use for anything.

5) Save money in order to save more.

When you redeem your points for flights, you will normally be able to choose from a variety of seat classes, ranging from basic economy to business or first class. The lower the price, the fewer miles you’ll need to use to book the flight; if you’re serious about stretching your miles to their best potential, a coach is probably the way to go.

It doesn’t mean you have to forego luxury. Several travel credit cards include additional bonuses that enhance your vacation experience.

6) Splurge when traveling a long distance.

Of course, this does not exclude you from enjoying the luxury and elegance of flying business or first class. Before you book, only consider the mileage cost benefit. Focus on flights where greater legroom and other perks of flying in the front are required.

For long trips, spending reward miles on upgrading to the chosen class is usually a better deal than paying cash. Because the true worth of a business or first-class seat is not the market price, miles can be stretched further.

7) Do not be afraid to contact customer service.

If you book through a third-party travel website like Expedia, you won’t know how much your flight will cost in miles, so you’ll have to make your bookings through the airline’s website. When you do, you should be able to see if the flight is priced in dollars or miles.

Yet, sorting out everything, from locating the best flight to understanding conversion rates, can be difficult and time-consuming. If that’s the case, don’t speculate. For assistance, contact the airline’s reservation desk.

There may be a price for having the agent book your flight over the phone, but it could be money well spent. Go for it if a small cost may make your life easier and ensure that you get the most out of your miles with the proper reservation.

Finally, using rewards credit cards that grant miles is simple. Simply select the credit card that best fits your lifestyle and charge only on items that will increase your miles while keeping your debt to a minimum. And once you’ve accumulated enough, trade them in for the items you want and need, such as that long-awaited trip.