Read the details and policies of your frequent flyer program. Most programs allow earning miles not only through domestic and international flights, but also in a number of travel-related transactions from airline partners. Although this varies per program, popular non-flight partners for earning more frequent flyer miles include hotels, car rental agencies, online stores, restaurants, travel agencies, telecom companies and other utility and service-oriented companies. Maximize your mile earnings by providing your air miles membership number every time you acquire specific products or services in your airlines' accredited merchants.
Log-in to the airline's frequent flyer program website or call the airline's reservation number or frequent flyer number to inquire about the available miles you have and if you are already eligible for any kind of awards redemption. For online access, you generally need the membership number and username and password to access your account. If you don't have online access to your frequent flyer program yet, you may register using the appropriate link in your program's website, then nominate a username and password accordingly You may also need an email address for confirmation or verification of your request. For phone access, you need to provide your membership number. Some also require a telephone password to continue. If prompted for a password and you don't have one yet, you may nominate one by following the voice prompt or you may readily seek the assistance of a customer service representative for it.
Compare the earned miles in your account with the options you have for miles redemption. Redeeming miles for a free ticket, free upgrade or non-travel awards requires a certain number of miles as stated in the policies of the program. You may also inquire about your options by phone.
Click the "Redeem Miles" link in your online account or directly request for miles redemption from a phone agent. Some mileage programs also allow redeeming miles by personally by going to a designated airline office. Select the type of award and class of service specific to the number of miles you intend to redeem. Choose your desired flight's origin and destination airports, your preferred flight schedule and your intended itinerary. Once done, press "Continue" or "OK." The button name depends on the type of frequent flyer program you have.
Provide the passenger name and traveler information in the appropriate spaces on the online form or the hard copy of the form for an in-person request. Verbally provide the same information to the customer service representative for a phone request.
Select a seat to request for your preferred seating assignment.
Confirm the redemption by pressing "OK," "Confirm," "Validate," "Checkout," "Proceed to Payment" or any other similar button provided by your online form or simply make a verbal or personal confirmation when redeeming by phone or in person.
Pay any fee required, if any. Ideally, redeeming your air miles for free flights still requires you to pay for the duties and taxes and airport fees. Some may also charge other fees on a case-to-case basis. For instance, if you intend to use your miles for an immediate travel beyond the minimum time frame for regular travel awards booking, you may incur a fee for the expediting of the process. However, most programs only allow redeeming miles within a given time period, especially for non-elite members. Some programs offer VIP members more flexibility with their award redemptions. Most programs require payment using credit card, especially when redeeming online or by phone. Paying in cash or check may be available when redeeming in person.
Get your reservation or confirmation number. For online redemption, readily print or save your itinerary and acknowledgement receipt. For phone redemption, provide your email address so you can get a copy of your itinerary and acknowledgment receipt. For in person redemption, simply get the hard copy of the itinerary and acknowledgment receipt from the customer service representative.
