When redeeming your airline miles, here’s 12 mistakes to avoid, according to an expert.
“… just because you’re not earning or redeeming airline miles for flights right now doesn’t mean you won’t be back in the skies in the future.”
The following written content by Eric Rosen
No matter how frequent a flier you are, chances are you’ve had your wings clipped by the COVID-19 pandemic. But just because you’re not earning or redeeming airline miles for flights right now doesn’t mean you won’t be back in the skies in the future. In the meantime, you can continue racking up rewards by using an airline credit card for everyday purchases, shopping through various airlines’ online portals, and other activities. When you’re ready to board again, here are 12 common mistakes to avoid when redeeming airline miles for flights.
1. Not Redeeming Miles Before They Expire
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, most airlines suspended mileage expiration for 2020 and 2021. They could reinstitute it next year, though, so it’s important to check the expiration dates on your various mileage accounts now. Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United miles do not expire at all. Air Canada Aeroplan, American Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines miles disappear after 18 months without qualifying activity, while Alaska Airlines miles go poof after 24 months of non-activity. Don’t rush to hop on a flight, though. Usually, you can reset the expiry clock by earning or redeeming just a single mile. That includes making a purchase with an associated airline credit card, shopping through airlines’ online portals, or just transferring a small bundle of miles to another member’s account. There are lots of ways to keep your miles going for when you eventually want to redeem them.
2. Not Searching in the Right Place
One of the things that makes finding award tickets so difficult is that not all airline websites show the same amount of availability, especially on partner flights. “I always tell people to start by thinking about airline alliances,” says Spencer Howard, founder of the travel website Straight to the Points. “United is great for searching Star Alliance award space,” he says. “Start a search there, then run another one with Air Canada Aeroplan to confirm the availability. Delta.com can be used to find SkyTeam awards.” This includes flights on Air France, KLM, Korean Air, and others. Read more from Travel and Leisure
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