Free Geekery

If you have a huge collection of airline miles and no clue how you plan to use them, here are 17 ideas to get you started. While many people are under the impression that air miles are worthless, you’d be surprised at how far you can actually go with your miles, sometimes, without ever leaving your home.

Whether you’re a frequent traveler, or just someone who needs to know how to use up your current stash of air miles, there are several ways that can help you put these miles to good use and have some fun while you’re doing it. It’s a good idea to check with your preferred airline to see what other promotions or reward programs they may be offering.

1. Donate them to a good cause.
   The Red Cross works with several airlines to allow you to donate your miles to the Red Cross where they can be used to help staff reach people in need, or even provide relief for disaster victims. Plus, the IRS recognizes this as a charitable contribution, making it even more beneficial for you and those in need.
2. Be clear on when they expire.
   Some free air miles do have an expiration date, or at the very least, a date where they begin to decrease in value. Make sure you are absolutely clear when your air miles will expire before you let them go to waste.
3. Cash in on your miles.
   If you have no plans to travel, or if you just can’t get the flight you want, a few airlines will actually allow you to cash them in for other things, like newspaper or magazine subscriptions. It’s not the best option, but it’s better than letting them go to waste.
4. Use them toward other trips.
   If you can’t get your flight for free, you may be able to cash in your miles to reduce the amount you’re spending in airfare for another trip. See if your airline will let you apply your existing miles toward a large airfare.
5. Book your flights online.
   If you want to accrue more free miles, consider booking your next flight online. Several airlines offer incentives to increase their online bookings, and this is a frequent promotion. If you travel a lot, this is a great way to really rack up your free miles.
6. Find a cooperating hotel.
   During your next vacation, stay at a hotel that offers matching or greater miles for every dollar you spend. Currently, at least 10,000 hotels across the United States participate with at least one airline in this program.
7. Choose your rental car wisely.
   Again, several car rental agencies work with different airlines to provide incentives for customers. See if your rental agency of choice will work with your airline to match your dollars for miles.
8. Keep an eye out for promotions.
   At specific times of the year, airlines may offer a greater amount of free air miles. It may be off-peak, but it certainly is worth the savings. Time your vacations to this calendar to save money and earn more miles to use in the future.
9. Get the right credit card.
   Numerous credit cards offer promotions to give away free air miles if you’re approved for their card. If you’re planning a big trip, this may just be the answer to save even more money. Airlines may also offer their own specific credit cards for this purpose.
10. Remember the 331st day rule.
    Many airlines have the 331st day rule for their air miles programs. What this means is that you need to book your flight 331 days in advance, especially during the airline’s heavy travel seasons.
11. Give your miles as a gift.
    If you don’t need to travel much, or if you can’t get away, you can bring someone you love to you through your air miles. Most airlines will allow you to transfer your free miles to someone else.
12. Do your homework.
    Certain airlines offer more free air miles than others. The next time you plan on taking a trip, consider booking with the airline that has the best deals, so you can take your next trip even sooner.
13. Stay on top of the news.
    Are your free air miles with an airline that is about to collapse? It’s a good idea to stay connected with the news to find out in advance if you’re in jeopardy of losing your air miles. You may be able to transfer them to another carrier. This usually means a loss of quite a few miles, but it’s not as bad as losing them all.
14. Pick the right airport.
    In some cases, you’ll be able to redeem your air miles to your advantage if you pick a less traveled airport. For example, instead of landing in Paris, try an airport in nearby Chartres. You may need to drive a little bit, but this can work to your advantage if you pick a car rental agency that provides free air miles.
15. Find out which airlines your carrier has partnered with.
    For overseas travelers, you may be able to continue earning air miles on overseas trips, even if you take a different airline. For example, American Airlines is partnered with British Airways to provide free miles during a flight with them.
16. Consider an upgrade.
    If you won’t be cashing in all 80,000 air miles you’ve accrued over the past three years at once, try using them to upgrade a regular trip to first class. Most airlines will allow you to upgrade your current seat in exchange for your miles. This is a great option if you don’t plan on traveling extensively any time soon.
17. Find other rewards programs that match with your airline.
    Points.com is a popular site that offers air miles as a reward for shopping with other online vendors. This is a great way to really add to your current amount of miles while buying things you actually need. Other options in this vein may include restaurants that will give you free air miles just for dining with them or other establishments that work with airlines to provide incentives for their joint customers.

Bonus Tip: If you’ve got several air miles from different airlines, it may not be a bad idea to consolidate them over to your favorite carrier. While some penalties may apply, you’ll still be able to take advantage of the miles where you’ll be most likely to use them.

The most important thing to remember about your air miles is that you should never let them expire without being put to use. Whether it’s an upgrade to a luxurious first class seat, a few subscriptions to your favorite magazines, or an incredible journey around the world, you can put them to use. If all else fails, the tax benefits of donating them to the Red Cross or another charitable organization can make you feel even better about doing a good deed and help you financially in the long run.

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