How do I get my flyer miles?

You can earn airline miles or points in many ways, such as by booking flights or spending money with a credit card that earns airline rewards or allows you to transfer rewards to an airline rewards program.



To begin earning frequent flyer miles, you must first enroll in an airline's loyalty program, which is almost always free to join. Once you have a membership number, ensure it is attached to every flight booking you make. In 2026, miles are typically earned based on either the distance flown or the amount spent on the ticket, depending on the airline's specific policy. Beyond flying, one of the most effective ways to accumulate miles is through co-branded credit cards, which offer "welcome bonuses" and allow you to earn miles on everyday purchases like groceries or gas. You can also earn miles through "partner" activities, such as booking hotels, renting cars, or using an airline's online shopping portal. Always remember to check if your airline belongs to a global alliance (like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld), as this allows you to earn miles on one airline while flying on a different partner carrier.

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But if you forgot, it's OK. Most airlines, Keyes said, allow travelers to request miles three to 14 days after booking and within 12 months of travel.

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Redeeming airline miles is usually pretty simple. With most airlines, you can redeem your miles for a free flight by logging into your account during the booking process. You'll need to book on the airline's website, rather than travel websites such as Expedia or Kayak, if you want to pay with miles.

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Frequent flyer miles earned from the following major domestic airlines do not expire: Delta Air Lines SkyMiles, JetBlue TrueBlue, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, United Airlines MileagePlus. Other airlines, including American and Alaska, have varying mileage expiration policies and ways to keep your miles active.

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Some airlines may allow miles to be transferred to a beneficiary, others might close the account upon death, and still, others might allow miles to be used for a period following the account holder's death. For instance, American Airlines does not allow miles to be willed or inherited.

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Our new valuation pegs United miles at 1.1 cents apiece, so 30,000 miles are worth $330. Naturally, the value of your miles can vary, but you should aim to get around $330 in value from these United miles.

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Canceling a nonrefundable fare will result in an eCredit for the full amount paid (minus any cancellation fees, depending on fare type and route). However, if you cancel a refundable ticket, you'll get the amount paid refunded back to your original form of payment.

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Southwest is one of the best airlines if you need to cancel your flight. You can cancel a Southwest flight for free if you do so at least 10 minutes before departure. For Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares — the two least expensive fare types — you'll receive a credit for the amount paid.

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Canceling a nonrefundable fare will result in an eCredit for the full amount paid (minus any cancellation fees, depending on fare type and route). However, if you cancel a refundable ticket, you'll get the amount paid refunded back to your original form of payment.

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Chip Lupo, Credit Card Writer 1,000 United miles are worth an average of $11.9, according to WalletHub data.

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