Where Else Can I Earn Air Miles Apart From Flying With an Airline?

Air miles, or frequent flyer miles, as they are also known, are one of the most common rewards offered by airlines in exchange for flying with them. There are many benefits to accumulating air miles, the most common of which is free flights with enough miles or points, but there are many others such as being able to upgrade classes, for example, from coach to business or first class, as well as being able to reserve adjacent unoccupied seats, access to airline lounges, and even priority on receiving luggage.

Since many people do not have the time or wherewithal to fly often, though, there are other ways of accruing air miles or related points without actually having to book a flight.

Use an Airline Credit Card

By far the most popular way to receive air miles without flying is to use an airline credit card. Many airlines offer credit cards through major credit card issuers like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, where air miles are offered as a reward with each transaction. Usually the way that this works is for a given amount in a transaction, a certain number of air miles or points will be put into your air miles account. This reward system is one of the older ones offered by credit card companies, but still remains one of the most popular ways of encouraging customer loyalty.

Not Everything You Purchase Earns Air Miles

Customers and card holders should be aware, however, that not every transaction with an airline credit card will result in air miles being rewarded, although most of the transactions will count. Balance transfers, such as putting money from a savings or checking account onto an airline credit card will not result in any air miles, and neither will cash advance transactions. However, most other uses of an airline credit card to purchase goods or services will reward the user with air miles, a perk which even extends to automatic bill paying, for example, with utilities or monthly subscription services.

Hotels, Car Rentals and Restaurants

Aside from using a special air miles credit card offered through the airline in order to accumulate air miles, there are occasional other ways to increase your air miles total without flying. Often, airlines will have partnerships with certain hotel chains, where hotels will offer a given amount of air miles in exchange for nights spent at a hotel. While hotel stays often coincide with air travel for many, they don't necessarily have to.

Car rental from some companies can also help to accrue additional air miles. The easiest business partnership to take advantage of, however, is probably eating at participating restaurants. Some major chains of restaurants have partnerships with airlines which allow air miles members to increase their air miles simply by eating at the restaurant.