Bankrate.com

smart spending

6 ways to earn extra frequent-flier miles

6 ways to earn extra frequent-flier miles
Next
1 of 9

Frequent-flier miles -- once awarded only to those who actually clocked miles in an airplane -- today are available for everything from getting a mortgage to signing up for a subscription service.

"If free trips are your priority, then the world is your oyster in terms of earning miles," says Tim Winship, publisher of FrequentFlier.com and co-author of "Mileage Pro -- The Insider's Guide to Frequent Flyer Programs."

Case in point: Gary Steiger, a retired high school teacher and owner of the Web site FreeFrequentFlyerMiles.com, hasn't paid for an airline ticket in years (except for taxes and fees).

He has visited almost every continent in the world and still has millions of miles waiting to be redeemed. Almost all the miles Steiger accumulates are acquired through programs rather than flying.

"You only need to accumulate 60,000 miles for a cabin class ticket to Europe," he says.

Everybody knows about signing up for credit cards that offer airline miles. But following are six less well-known ways to get frequent flier miles while your feet remain on the ground.

Check with your favorite airline to see if it offers one of these programs.


 

 

advertisement

Compare Rates
advertisement
Overnight Averages
Product Rate +/- Last week
30 yr fixed
4.33%
4.49%
15 yr fixed
3.85%
3.92%
5/1 ARM
3.39%
3.37%
View rates in your area:
Product Rate +/- Last week
30K HELOC
5.12%
5.11%
30K Home Equity Loan
7.47%
7.51%
50K HELOC
4.84%
4.84%
View rates in your area:
Product Rate +/- Last week
48 Mo Used Car
6.28%
6.29%
48 Mo New Car
6.16%
6.16%
36 Mo Used Car
6.48%
6.47%
View rates in your area:
Product Yield +/- Last week
6 Mo CD
0.90%
0.87%
1 Yr CD
1.27%
1.29%
5 Yr CD
2.56%
2.60%
Compare rates:
Product Rate
Low Interest Cards 10.37%
Balance Transfer Cards 15.93%
All Variable 14.35%
Compare rates:  
Holden Lewis
What is the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? Bill Gross discussed it with Bankrate.
advertisement
Share your tip to win $100Smart Spending
Are you a champ at cutting costs? Enter your tip in our Frugal $ense contest to be eligible to win $100. There’s a new winner every month.
Is your money safe?
or ? See your bank, thrift or credit union's star rating. Find one that's safe enough for you.
advertisement