Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
One of the quickest ways to accumulate airline miles is by leveraging credit card sign-up bonuses. Many co-branded airline cards provide substantial bonus miles when you meet a minimum spending requirement within the first few months of opening the card. This approach can significantly increase your miles balance without flying.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® and Ultimate Rewards® Transfers
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. These points transfer at a 1:1 rate to airline partners like United, British Airways, and Southwest.
American Airlines AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
Earn 60,000 miles just by making your first purchase and paying the annual fee. Even a small purchase like a pack of gum qualifies.
United MileagePlus® Explorer Card
Earn up to 70,000 bonus miles: 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months and an additional 10,000 miles if you spend a total of $6,000 within the first six months.
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card
Offers 50,000 bonus miles if you spend $2,000 in the first 90 days, plus a Companion Fare for just $121 after meeting the spending requirements.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card
Earn 3 free nights after spending $3,000 in the first three months. Marriott points transfer to several airline partners at a 3:1 ratio.
Amex Membership Rewards® Transfers
American Express offers cards like the Amex Gold and Amex Platinum with substantial sign-up bonuses. These Membership Rewards points can be transferred to various airline partners.
Watch for Promotions
Credit card companies often run limited-time promotions offering larger bonuses. Stay informed, as adjusting your application timing could potentially result in more miles.
Referral Bonuses: An Additional Boost
Many issuers offer referral bonuses. You can earn extra miles by having friends or family sign up through your referral.
Using Shopping Portals
Another reliable method to increase your mileage account is through shopping portals. By using airline shopping portals like MileagePlus Shopping or Delta SkyMiles Shopping, you can earn miles on purchases from hundreds of online retailers.
The process is straightforward:
- Log in to your airline's shopping portal
- Click through to your chosen store
- Make your purchase
You'll earn airline miles for every dollar you spend, just like shopping directly from the retailer.
For example, if you're buying a $1,000 laptop through United's MileagePlus Shopping portal offering 2 miles per dollar spent, you could earn 2,000 United miles. Use a credit card that rewards additional miles for online shopping, and you'll earn even more!
Look out for special promotions and bonuses, especially during peak shopping seasons like Black Friday or back-to-school sales. You might find especially generous offers that can boost your miles even faster.
Remember, this strategy allows you to earn rewards from both your credit card and the shopping portal simultaneously. It's a smart way to turn your regular spending into potential future flights, bringing you closer to your travel goals without extra effort or expense.
Dining Programs
Many airlines offer dining programs where you can earn miles simply by enjoying meals at participating restaurants. Programs like MileagePlus Dining or SkyMiles Dining are perfect for food lovers who want to combine dining experiences with mileage-earning opportunities.
Here's how it works:
- Sign up for the dining program linked to your preferred airline
- Link your credit card to your dining account
- Dine at participating restaurants and pay with your linked card
- Earn miles automatically
To find participating eateries, check the dining program's website. You'll likely discover a range of options from cozy cafes to upscale restaurants.
Many programs offer bonus miles for signing up and making your first purchase. For instance, you might earn 1,000 bonus miles for your first dine. Some programs also run promotions for extra miles during certain periods or at specific restaurants.
Imagine spending $100 on a delicious dinner at a partner restaurant. If the program offers 3 miles per dollar spent, that's 300 miles. Pay with your airline rewards credit card, and you'll earn even more!
By choosing restaurants that offer miles, you can turn casual lunch outings and date nights into effective mile-earning opportunities. It's a tasty way to get closer to your next adventure!
- Frequent Miler. How to Earn Airline Miles Without Flying. FrequentMiler.com. 2023.
- The Points Guy. How to Earn Delta SkyMiles. ThePointsGuy.com. 2023.
- NerdWallet. How to Earn United MileagePlus Miles. NerdWallet.com. 2023.