Travel hacking is my favorite way to offset the costs of traveling and travel for free. Triphackr has always been about travel hacking and adventure and learning about new methods of travel hacking. To put it simply, travel hacking is one of the best ways to earn frequent flyer miles and points to redeem for flights and hotels around the world. If you’re looking for a new way to boost your mileage account, check out my favorite ways to earn frequent flyer miles right now and book your next flight for free.
Consider Your Travel Goals
Before you start racking up every mile and point in sight, consider how many miles you need to use for your next trip. Are you looking for a free economy seat or are you dreaming of a first-class international flight? Check out the airline’s rewards charts to help you set your target goal. Once you have that number in mind, you will have a better idea of how long it will take to accumulate the miles and how many you need.
Sign Up for A New Credit Card
Most major airlines have co-branded credit cards that have large sign-up bonuses. This is one of the fastest ways to earn a large number of frequent flyer miles. There is often a minimum spend that must be met in the first few months and you should never spend simply to spend. Use your credit card to pay bills and allow it to replace your debit card. A large sign-up bonus from a major credit card will get you started on your mileage journey.
Let Your Savings Earn Miles for You
One of the smartest and easiest ways to earn miles is by allowing your money to work for you. Bask Bank allows you to do just that by setting up a savings account to earn American Airlines AAdvantage® miles. Bask Bank will earn you 2.5 American Airlines AAdvantage® miles for every dollar you deposit into your new savings account.
This is a great way to let your savings work for you and help you offset the cost of your next adventure. However, you can deposit what you’d like to get started and deposit additional funds monthly. Here is an example of how you could earn 64,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® in 12 months. Check out Bask Bank and learn how you can get started for free.
Bask Bank is a division of Texas Capital Bank, Member FDIC.
Do Your Shopping Through Airline Shopping Portals
Every dollar you spend should earn you miles and never let a dollar go to waste. Airlines like American and Delta allow you to earn miles by shopping your favorite brands through their portals. This may not earn you miles as fast as other methods, but over the course of a year those miles will add up fast.
Sign Up for Dining Rewards Programs
Dining rewards programs operate similarly to shopping portals. Once you sign-up with your frequent flyer number and register your credit card you will be able to earn rewards through various airlines’ dining programs. Check out the Rewards Network to start earning for dining out. Like shopping portals, this won’t earn you miles fast, but it will pay off after a few months of dining out and is a great way to earn on top of the major sign-up bonuses.
Best Ways to Earn Frequent Flyer Miles
There is no shortage of ways to earn miles and points for your next adventure, but the key is to never let a dollar spent go to waste. Set your travel goals and get started planning your next trip. In a few months, your progress will start to pay off, and always be on the lookout for new ways to earn frequent flyer miles.