By Amanda Smith
Business Reporter
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Frequent flier programs have been around for decades, but they’re always evolving. There are more ways to earn miles than ever, including when you’re not traveling at all.
Most major U.S. airlines no longer award miles based purely on distance flown. Programs have become more flexible, and you can keep miles active through regular account activity. But there’s a difference between miles that don’t expire and miles that hold their value: Even miles that never expire can lose value over time.
How are Airline Miles Calculated Today?
Depending on the program, miles can be based on a ticket’s price, distance flown, fare class and whether you fly the airline itself or a partner.
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The biggest change is the shift to a revenue-based model, Jimmy Yoon, head of points intelligence at award search platform point.me, told Newsweek.
“Instead of earning miles based on distance flown plus a bonus for your class of service, you now earn based on how much you paid for your ticket.” He said that’s great for business travelers who book premium cabins, but leisure travelers looking for cheap economy fares earn noticeably less.
At the same time, airline programs don’t want you to think of them only when you’re flying, Yoon said. They want to be the program you reach for when you buy groceries, dine out or pay for anything else regularly.
Many travelers still believe miles have a fixed dollar value or that a flight has one universal mileage price. Neither is true, and the same goes for redemptions: There’s no single path or price.
Can You Earn Miles on Partner Airlines?
Partners play an underappreciated role in frequent flier programs.
Oneworld, SkyTeam and Star Alliance are global alliances, each with multiple member airlines. Because American Airlines and British Airways both belong to Oneworld, for example, you can earn AAdvantage miles when you fly British Airways.
Derek Cann, a flight expert at Going, told Newsweek that travelers should compare both the cash fare and the redemption options available through partners.
“You’re boarding the same plane, but the mileage requirement, fees and availability can differ.”
Do Airline Miles Expire?
It depends on the program. Miles from most major U.S. carriers don’t expire, while many international programs have expiration policies of around two to three years.
Yoon said there’s a simple way to extend them: Transfer points in from a flexible program such as American Express Membership Rewards. “Depending on the program, even a small transfer, sometimes as little as 1 point, can reset the clock.”
Partnerships have made international programs more popular, so it’s important to know each program’s rules. Here’s where the major U.S. programs stand:
How Can You Keep Airline Miles From Expiring?
You don’t need to fly to keep miles active. Earning miles through an airline’s shopping portal or completing a survey for the airline or a partner can count as qualifying activity, Cann said.
Other qualifying activities might include airline dining programs, partner purchases and spending on a co-branded credit card.
What to Know Before You Book
Earning is now tied much more to how much you spend than how far you fly, and co-branded credit cards have become central to many programs.
United, for example, now gives primary MileagePlus cardholders higher earning rates on eligible flights than non-cardholders. It's now six miles per dollar for general members with a card, versus three miles without one.
Consumer behavior has shifted alongside these changes, with rewards playing a bigger role in how people pay for trips. Before you book:
- Check partner airlines’ earning rules.
- Stick to one alliance when possible.
- Build your balance through everyday spending.
- Add your loyalty number to every reservation.
Contact Newsweek editor on this story: Catherine Clark.
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