It used to be that in order to fly by plane, you had to save up a significant amount of money, contact the airline of your choice, and book a ticket by paying the fixed price they gave to you. Travelers were helpless against large airline margins, and air travel was seen as a luxury. As technology and travel progressed, the concept of airline miles, or frequent flyer miles was introduced. While understanding the concept can seem daunting at first, the business of frequent flyer miles is not only simple to understand, but has numerous benefits as well.
If you find yourself wondering, “Is it smart to buy miles? Is this just another big-business tactic? How do I know what my miles are worth?” just keep reading.
How Airline Miles Work
Airline “miles” represent points that can be purchased. A specific number of points can be translated into a corresponding number of miles that one may use those miles to travel, and these points, or miles, can be purchased online, using a credit card. Various companies offer these services. One example is The Mileage Club. You can also accumulate miles by being a frequent flyer on any major airline. You will be awarded miles based on the frequency of your traveling. These miles can then be used in a variety of ways – for even more air travel, or to improve the quality of your air travel, and sometimes even to get extra perks during your vacation.
Why Buy Frequent Flyer Miles?
When you purchase a ticket directly from the airline of your choice, you often pay a large margin on the actual cost. Similarly, going through a travel agent also means that you get overcharged. Why should traveling mean large expenditures? Purchasing miles online at rates far lower than the airline retail rates may just be exactly what you need. You can purchase the exact quantity that you need, and choose exactly how you would like them used (only to reach your destination, or for in-flight amenities, etc.).
Uses of Frequent Flyer Miles
Now what exactly are these miles good for? Not only can they perform the basic function of getting you from Point A to Point B at significantly lower costs, but they also come with other benefits. One some mileage programs, you can use miles to get upgraded to a premium cabin, access to in-flight magazines, a better meal during the flight, better entertainment options, etc. These potential benefits don’t end when you land. Most major airlines let you use miles to upgrade your hotel suites, and even rent cars.
Another thing to keep in mind is that when you are traveling to areas where hotels are expensive, you can use miles to save the amount you would have spent on your ticket, and use it to enjoy your stay more. It’s worth it to snag a free flight if you’re going to be paying expensive resort prices.
