Buy Airline Tickets with Credit Card Reward Miles

One of the greatest benefits of credit cards is earning rewards when you spend with the card. Miles that can be redeemed for airline tickets are a common reward. The process for buying tickets with reward miles may vary by credit card company, but the basic process is simple enough. You should learn about your specific credit card company’s reward system. You’ll also learn some ways to accrue as many miles as you can.

Steps

Redeeming Your Points

1. Create an online account for your credit card. Most rewards programs use an online account to redeem miles or points. Visit your credit card company’s site to set up an online account. American Express, for example, has a sign in box in the top left corner. Be sure to create a secure password that you will remember.
   • Online accounts also let you track your spending on the card and may even allow for paying your monthly balance.
2. Check your points balance online. Most credit card account sites will have a "Points" or "Balance" tab, which will show your current reward miles or points. After checking your balance, look for a tab that says “Redeem” or “Use Points” or something similar.
   • If you prefer to book reward travel by phone, then look in your credit card rewards information to find the phone number or extension that is dedicated to award travel. Try to prepare your travel date and destination options ahead of time for expediency.
3. Choose a flight through your credit card site. Your credit card account should offer the option to search for flights that are purchasable with reward miles. Most credit cards will have limitations based on airlines, dates of travel, and destination, so you may have to search a little while and possibly compromise to choose a flight that works for you.
   • Your card may offer the option to use some of the points rather than all of them. For example, if you are purchasing a $400 ticket, you might use just enough points to pay for half of the price.
   • During the payment stage, look for an option about redeeming points. There should be a box where you can input how many points you want to use, or perhaps a checkbox that says “Use points for whole price,” or something similar.
4. Search for flights on an airline website. Booking directly through an airline often gives you the best prices because there may be lower overhead or booking fees. If you have a card that is affiliated with that airline, you’ll be able to log in with your member number or input it during the payment stage after you choose your flight.
   • You can also use frequent flier miles that you’ve earned with that specific airline.
5. Use a flight aggregator to select a ticket. You can book a ticket through a flight aggregator such as Expedia or Orbitz. You are able to use credit card rewards points provided that you have a credit card that is affiliated with those sites. For example, Expedia uses Citi Thank You Points and Orbitz pairs with Visa.
   • Some aggregators may allow you to use a non-affiliated card. If that option is available, you will find it once you choose flights and are inputting your payment information. You may not be able to use reward points from a non-affiliated card.
   • Many aggregators also have their own rewards points programs that allow you to earn books when you repeatedly book through their site. This can be a good way to get the most of using reward points.
6. Select the ticket that fits you best. You’ll often want to choose the cheapest option, but amenities and flight dates will also come into play. Choose based on your preferred airline, the dates that work best for you, or seat and cabin preferences.
   • Once you have selected your ticket(s), the site will automatically move you onto the payment stage and you’ll be asked to input your information.
7. Input your information. Each credit card, airline, or flight aggregator site may offer slightly different payment options. When you get to the payment stage, you may have to log into airline or aggregator accounts if you have not already. Type in frequent flier information if you are asked and rewards member information if available.
   • You will most likely only be able to use rewards points from the card that you input to pay for the ticket with.
8. Finalize your ticket purchase. Once all of your information is inputted, you will be asked to make a final confirmation that all of the information you typed in is corrected. Check everything carefully.

Using Your Rewards System

1. Ask your credit card company for detailed rewards information. If you are planning to sign up for a new card, learn as much as you can about the rewards system. If you have the card already, contact customer service and request any information they have about their rewards program.
   • Be sure to find out what purchases are eligible for earning rewards. You may be surprised by some of the restrictions.
2. Be aware of how card cancellations affect your points. If your credit card is paired with an airline or a hotel, then your points are most likely earned with that company rather than the bank. Cards that are not paired with another company will only earn points with the issuing bank or credit company.
   • Points earned through a second company (like an airline or hotel) are safe when you cancel, but points earned through a bank will be lost.
3. Check the value of each mile (or point) you earn. Earned miles or points may differ in value from one credit card company to the next. Ask your credit card company directly to find out exactly what your miles are worth. You can also look for websites that list point values from various credit cards.
   • Many credit card miles are worth 1 cent. This means that if you have 40,000, you can redeem them for a ticket that costs up to $400.

Accruing Miles

1. Open a new credit card account. Many credit cards offer a sign on bonus when you start a new account. Even if you don’t need another credit card, sign up for one and earn those initial points. You don’t have to spend money on that specific card.
   • This can be especially useful if you get a card that is paired with an airline that you already have a card or frequent flyer account with.
2. Start an investment account. Many credit cards partner with brokerage firms so you earn points when you invest money through those firms. Fidelity is one company that has this type of partnership with American, United, and Delta Airlines.
   • You may earn points each time you deposit money into those investment accounts. If you are not comfortable investing, make sure you know what is required of you before starting an investment account.
3. Shape your spending around earning miles. As you continue to earn miles, begin to change your spending habits to earn as many points as you can. If shopping online earns you more points than shopping in the store, do it. If certain restaurants earn you points and others don’t, eat at the restaurants that earn points more.
   • Some people make it a hobby to search out the best miles earning options that are available. If travel is important you, develop a spending strategy that earns you the most miles possible.

Related Articles

• Accumulate the Most Credit Card Reward Points

Sources and Citations

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