Maximizing Mileage Points for Free Flights: A Beginner's Guide

[chefallison53]

How many points does it take to get a free flight? I have never had a mileage card beofre and am looking for some knowledge! Thanks so much!!!

 

[DebbieJ]

It takes a lot of miles and they have lots of restrictions on redeeming them.

 

[merego]

Delta is 50K for most flights now. It used to be 25K , but you can barely find those anymore.

We just redeemed 150K for my flight to Denver with the 2 little ones. It helps if you have the american express that gets you skymiles.

 

[janetupnorth]

NWA was still 20-30K so I hope that hasn't changed! Good luck!

 

[chefann]

That sounds about right, Janet. DH just redeemed his for a flight to Duluth, MN for a car show.

 

[chefmoseley]

discover card with the miles program gives you 2miles for every $1 spent on travel (hotel, car rental, airline, cruise, restaurant purchase) purchases you make upto 3000.00 each year. Every other type of purchase (gas, department store, or after 3000 it is 1mile for $1 spent. When you have 5000 miles you can redeem for a $50 account credit against a travel purchase. You can use whatever travel source you want (travelocity, southwest) whatever accepts discover card. So you earn miles for the purchase and then get credits against it. For example you by mcdonalds for breakfast everyday for a week at $3 a day =15 dollars at the end of the week and is 30 miles. You make an airline purchase of $150 you earned 300 miles, the hotel was 200/night for 5 nights is 1000= 2000 miles. Just a few examples to show how it adds up.

 

[ljeffries]

Delta still has some for 25,000 miles - just depends on the destination.

 

[pamperedalf]

I have united and this is what I do.I earn air miles for shopping at Safeway (safeway chains), for every $250 spent I earn 125 miles. It adds up.Then I shop their vendors (vista print is one) 7 miles for every $2 spent.Also I joined Mypoints.com and have just redeemed 5,000 points for 2,500 miles. I will send you an email if you want more info on mypoints.I try not to get air mile cards, they tend to have an annual fee and I don't do that and would like to not add to my debt. So I am earning miles any way I can w/out a new card.

 

[Chef Bobby]

The way I paid for my round trip flight this year, I gave up my seat last year for a later flight. They gave me a $250 voucher. My ticket cost $264 so I had to pay $14. If they ask again this year, I'll do it again.