How to Redeem Air Miles for Travel

How to Redeem Air Miles for Travel
Redeeming air miles can be a pain, but the gains are worth it. Use this guide to get started redeeming airline miles. Note that each airline has rules and restrictions for traveling with airline miles; review your airline's redemption policies and procedures. Booking a mileage trip takes approximately 15 minutes. The average cost is around $10 for airport fees and local taxes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • Airline mileage ID number Travel date and time Airline website Login Airline's reservation phone number Credit card
  • Airline mileage ID number
  • Travel date and time
  • Airline website Login
  • Airline's reservation phone number
  • Credit card
Step 1
Login to the airline website. If you do not have Internet access, you will need to call your airline using the reservation number you acquired earlier. Note that if you redeem your airline miles using the reservations phone number instead of a computer, many airlines charge you more miles. For example, an Alaska Airlines flight booked online is 20,000 miles; booking with a telephone service agent is 25,000 miles for the same flight.
Step 2
Verify the number of airline miles you have available.
Step 3
Locate the drop-down menu that refers to Airline Mile Reservations, sometimes also called Award, Reward, Dividend, (you get the idea). Select the date(s) you are interested in traveling.
Step 4
Select the flight that best fits your schedule and proceed to the payment screen.
Step 5
The payment screen can be confusing, so keep it simple. If you have enough miles to book your flight, use them. If you do not have enough miles to book the flight, some websites offer choices to use miles to reduce the cost of the flight (remember, it's still better than paying full price).
Step 6
Book your flight and pay the airport fees and taxes due.

Tips & Warnings

 
When filling out the "traveler" information online, make sure that it matches the identification you will be using. For example if your name is Edward on your driver's license or passport do not use a nickname, such as Ed, on your travel documents. TSA will thank you. Be aware that most airlines are charging for all checked baggage, so check your airline for the most current fee schedule. If you are having trouble with the airline website or if you did not receive confirmation of your purchase, contact your airline using the reservations phone number. The more flexible you are with your travel dates and the earlier you book the better chance you have of using your miles on something aside from a red-eye flight.
 
When filling out the "traveler" information online, make sure that it matches the identification you will be using. For example if your name is Edward on your driver's license or passport do not use a nickname, such as Ed, on your travel documents. TSA will thank you.
 
Be aware that most airlines are charging for all checked baggage, so check your airline for the most current fee schedule.
 
If you are having trouble with the airline website or if you did not receive confirmation of your purchase, contact your airline using the reservations phone number.
 
The more flexible you are with your travel dates and the earlier you book the better chance you have of using your miles on something aside from a red-eye flight.
 
As with any online purchase, there are risks. If you have questions or need to verify how the airline redemption process works for your airline, call the airline reservation line. Miles are expiring sooner than they used to. For instance, Continental Airlines has an 18-month policy. This is a direct quote from Continental's website: "If no mileage is deposited in your account for 18 consecutive months, your membership may be canceled, and your miles may be forfeited." Check your mileage plan to make sure you have enough activity on your mileage account to keep it active.
 
As with any online purchase, there are risks. If you have questions or need to verify how the airline redemption process works for your airline, call the airline reservation line.
 
Miles are expiring sooner than they used to. For instance, Continental Airlines has an 18-month policy. This is a direct quote from Continental's website: "If no mileage is deposited in your account for 18 consecutive months, your membership may be canceled, and your miles may be forfeited." Check your mileage plan to make sure you have enough activity on your mileage account to keep it active.

Article Written By Laura McGuinn

Laura McGuinn began writing in 1994 for Autodesk. Many of her articles can be found in the "Support" section of the Autodesk website. She created technical publications, help file content, and instructive documents. Previous experience includes 30 years of blueprint reading and 17 years of help desk/technical support.

Write for Trails.com
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