If you frequently travel by air you should enroll in frequent flyer programs for every airline on which you fly. Try your best to consistently travel with the same airline in order to most effectively accumulate miles. Once you have enough saved up, reward yourself by upgrading your seat to first class.
Find out how many frequent flyer miles you have by logging into your airline’s member portal. When you signed up for the frequent flyer program, the airline would have provided you with a username, which may be your email address or your membership ID number, and a password. Most member logins can be found on your airline's home page.
Locate the members’ miles club program and find the section that states your accumulation of miles. You may also call the airline’s 800 number to speak with a representative regarding your miles. Keep in mind, airlines make mistakes, so keep track of your miles on your own as well.
Determine how many miles it takes to qualify for an upgrade by asking the airline staff when you check in.
Approach the airline representative with your ticket in hand and inform the agent that you wish to upgrade your ticket using your frequent flyer miles. Beware of blackout dates. If you are traveling to a popular destination, or are traveling during peak holiday time, you may be ineligible to redeem your miles for an upgrade, as those seats were likely already purchased. Remember, flyer rewards programs were established to encourage customer loyalty to one airline. If the agent turns you down, politely ask to speak with a supervisor regarding your miles.
