Log on to your frequent flyer award account and enter your travel dates and destination.
Select the type of award you need to search for by either clicking on its name in a box or selecting it from a drop-down menu. Most mileage clubs have a "standard" award fare and one that costs less miles on less popular dates. On Delta, this award is called a SkySaver; on Continental, you can choose the SaverPass; with United, Saver Awards cost fewer miles.
Search for tickets using this award option. If none are available on the dates you have selected, try using the day before or after the date you wish to travel. Often, you can see a chart to show you the dates on which the discount award tickets can be used.
Log on to your frequent flyer award account and enter your travel dates and destination into the appropriate fields.
Select the lowest price economy ticket to purchase.
Buy the economy fare ticket.
Use miles for an upgrade into business or first class by reserving this mileage upgrade on the website after you have purchased the ticket. You can also use miles for an upgrade at the airport if first or business class seats are still available.
Using your mileage for an upgrade will take fewer miles than an award ticket and it costs much, much less than buying a first or business class seat.
Log on to your frequent flyer award account and select your destination and travel dates.
Search for mileage award tickets.
Look for an option to book with "miles and money" on the search results page. Each frequent flyer program differs on which customers are offered this option, but it's worth checking out.
You may be allowed to pay some of the ticket price and redeem miles to pay for the rest. This costs fewer miles than a full-award ticket and you will sometimes get a much better deal than if you were paying with all money or all miles.
Check your frequent flyer program conditions to find out if you qualify for this type of award.
