In order to earn/spend miles, you have to join a mileage program first, duh. That's just common sense. But which mileage program is the best??? Here is a 5 step guide to picking a mileage program that works for you.
1. Join a mileage program from your home country. If you live in the USA, join a program from the states. No reason to pick a European carrier as your primary airline when you fly mostly in the states.
2. Choose an airline that flies to your most frequented cities. I fly United because they hub out of San Francisco, my home, and Washington DC, where I go to school. So I always gain a lot of miles as I fly between the two cities. Pick an airline that you will actually use.
3. Pick an airline with lots of airline partners. If you want to fly a lot internationally, you want to earn miles when doing so. So choose an airline that has ties to one of the three major airline alliances where you earn miles when flying partners, whether it be Star Alliance, Sky Team, or One World.
4. Pick a mileage program that has lots of promotions and ways to earn points. You can earn points with basically everything. Before selecting a mileage program, make sure yours can earn points on things like hotel stays, rental cars, credit cards, dining, and retail.
5. Choose a mileage program that has lots of flexibility and ways to spend points. Free flights, free upgrades, and elite status is at the core of this. As a bad example, Southwest - the only way to earn miles is to fly 8 roundtrips, and then you receive 1 free flight. Pick an airline where you can use your miles how you want to.
Once you've selected an airline and their mileage program, sign up! You will start earning miles right away.
Make sure to check back tomorrow where we answer a reader's question of the week!
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