How Do Frequent Flyer Miles Work?
7 Min Read | Last updated: May 2, 2025
Frequent flyer programs reward you for travel with the airline or partners. Understanding how frequent flyer miles work can help you get the most from them.
At-A-Glance
- Frequent flyer programs have undergone major changes in recent years.
- Understanding how frequent flyer miles and airline status tiers work can help you get the most from your miles.
- There are many ways to redeem your miles. You might benefit by paying for flights in order to boost your status, while using miles to “pay” for other expenses.
The appeal of frequent flyer miles isn’t difficult to understand. As a reward for airline travel, you accrue miles that can be used as a currency to literally take you places. But these loyalty programs are undergoing major makeovers. Last year, many airlines revamped their programs and introduced new barriers to booking trips.
While frequent flyer miles remain a great way to trim your travel costs and whisk yourself off to exotic locales, they’re no longer a simple dollar-per-mile proposition. Understanding how frequent flyer miles work – from how they accumulate to how you can redeem them – can be key to maximizing your rewards. Here’s what you need to know.
How Do You Get Frequent Flyer Miles?
Once upon a time, one mile traveled equaled one mile gained in your frequent flyer program. It’s impossible to outline all the changes here, but you should know that miles flown are no longer a key factor in racking up frequent flyer miles – and in some cases, they’re not factored in at all.
Tip: Review how recent changes in your frequent flyer program(s) affect how you earn frequent flyer miles.
How Do I Decide Which Frequent Flyer Program Is Best For Me?
Miles still matter, just not as much as before. Since the major airlines have migrated to a model that rewards higher spending with a higher program status, the frequent flyer status you achieve may depend on how much you spend with your credit card, which may determine how many miles or bonus miles you receive.1 It can be smart to focus on one or two frequent flyer programs with the route systems and partners you need for domestic and international travel. There are three major alliances: Star Alliance, One World, and Sky Team. Moreover, you can earn miles or points in many different ways, including through hotels, online shopping malls, and dining rewards programs.2
Tip: Understanding how you travel can help you find the right frequent flyer program – and help you maximize rewards. Elite status may not be as important.
How Do You Elevate Your Frequent Flyer Status?
You can reach a higher frequent flyer status by continually flying a specific airline, but the right branded airline credit card can take you places faster for three reasons. You can:3
- Get a big sign-up bonus. Some cards offer bonus miles after you spend a specified amount in the first few months of opening the credit card.
- Regularly earn miles or points. Everyday purchases at restaurants and supermarkets, for example, can add to your total miles with higher mile-earning multiples.
Tip: Earn tens of thousands of bonus miles annually – and possibly boost your program status – by spending on a branded airline credit card and hitting key spending thresholds.
How Many Miles Does It Take to Get a Free Flight?
Frequent flyer miles aren’t all equal. Different airlines offer rewards at different mileage thresholds. What’s more, different routes, or a partner airline, may offer different mileage redemption levels.4
In some cases – and particularly for international travel – the closer you are to departure, the higher the cost. To get the most out of your miles, look well in advance. Ideally, when seats are first made available. Also consider that airlines occasionally have travel reward sales, which may result in significant discounts on the miles you need to redeem for a given flight.
You can also use frequent flyer miles for upgrades. If you can find a highly discounted seat in economy, you may be able to use your miles/points to upgrade to premium economy or first class. This may result in a lower overall cost than redeeming the miles for a ticket or buying the ticket outright. Finally, consider a cash-and-miles approach, especially if you are a few miles short. Remember, the miles are a currency and you can treat them accordingly.
Tip: Look for opportunities to use rewards strategically. Research redeemable seats in advance, keep an eye out for sales and upgrades, and combine cash and miles if necessary.
Did you know?
Delta SkyMiles® American Express Gold, Delta SkyMiles® American Express Platinum, and Delta SkyMiles® American Express Reserve Card Members can save 15% when booking Award Travel with miles.* Here’s how:
- Visit delta.com or the Fly Delta app and log in to your Delta SkyMiles account.
- Choose “Shop with Miles” when searching for Delta flights for your itinerary.
- The 15% miles discount will automatically be reflected.
*Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. Terms apply.
How Else Can I Use Frequent Flyer Miles?
In some cases, you may come out ahead in the long run by paying for a ticket and, as a result, earn miles and credits toward your program status. But this doesn’t mean you can’t slash the cost of a trip. You may be able to apply existing frequent flyer miles to hotels, car rentals, lounge memberships, and other travel expenses like American Airlines does. Depending on the airline or card issuer, you might even be able to redeem miles for merchandise and gift cards like United. This can include suitcases or clothing you need for a trip.
Tip: Look for on-the-ground ways to redeem your frequent flyer miles. You might be able to trim the overall cost of travel, even if you’re not flying.
The Takeaway
Frequent flyer programs increasingly use complex formulas for earning and redeeming rewards, based more on your spending than on your flying. Savvy travelers focus on navigating these programs in the most advantageous way possible, such as paying for a flight and using miles to defray other expenses. These approaches can help you maximize the value of your frequent flyer miles.
1 “Are Airline Credit Cards Worth It?,” Experian
2 “How to Earn Travel Rewards,” Experian
3 “Are Airline Credit Cards Worth It?,” Experian
4 "The Best Ways to Redeem Credit Card Rewards,” Experian
Samuel Greengard has traveled to 63 countries and 49 states while writing about business, technology and finance for numerous magazines and websites. He is the author of Virtual Reality (MIT Press, September 2019).
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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