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Earning airline miles can feel like collecting magical beans that somehow turn into free flights. Many folks rely on their credit cards to rack up miles. But what if you could boost your mileage account without even swiping, tapping, or whatever newfangled thing card issuers are asking us to do these days?
Here are five surprisingly easy ways to earn airline miles that don’t involve your credit card. Get ready to pack your bags!
1. Sign up for frequent flyer programs
The most straightforward path to miles is still — surprise — actually flying. But it’s not just about the miles from buying the flight. Joining those frequent flyer programs that airlines love to promote can be lucrative too.
Every flight you take racks up miles. Plus, these programs often throw in some nice extras, like promotions and status upgrades that multiply your earnings faster than you can say “free upgrade.”
2. Use dining programs
Who knew that your love for food could also fund your next vacation? Airline dining programs are a real thing. Sign up for one of these — like Delta SkyMiles Dining or United MileagePlus Dining — and start earning miles every time you grab a bite at participating restaurants. Then register your debit or credit cards with the program.
Whether it’s a fancy dinner or a quick takeout, you’ll earn miles for every dollar spent. Typically, you can earn up to 5 miles per dollar spent, making every dining experience a step closer to your next getaway. Sneaky, right?
3. Rent a car
How’s this: Next time you need a rental car, consider steering towards some extra miles. When you book your ride through airline partnerships with companies like Avis, Alamo, and Hertz, you could significantly boost the number of miles in your account. For instance, you might earn up to 500 miles per rental period.
Be aware that these bookings can sometimes include additional fees. However, the miles and points you accumulate can make it worthwhile, especially if you’re planning a lengthy road trip. Compare the rates you’d get through the airline partnerships to those available directly from the rental car companies and look at how many miles you might gain. Check to see whether the extra cost of booking through the partnership justifies the rewards earned.
When booking through an airline partnership, look for special promo codes that can further enhance your savings or rewards. These codes are typically entered on the rental company’s booking page and are part of the partnership deal. Make sure to apply these promo codes to maximize the benefits like additional miles, discounts, or both.
4. Shop on shopping portals
Now, let’s talk shopping — but not just any shopping. I’m referring to online shopping through airline portals. This is a seriously easy way to earn miles. Start your online shopping spree through a portal like Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping or American AAdvantage eShopping, and you could earn a hefty amount of miles for every dollar spent.
There’s a vast variety of retailers and products, from tech gadgets to everyday essentials. Depending on the current promotions, you could earn over 3,000 miles a year on purchases you would already be making.
Pro tip: Use a cash-back app like Cashback Monitor to sniff out the best deals. That will ensure you always get the most bang (or flight) for your buck.
5. Take surveys
If you’ve got opinions and a bit of spare time, why not earn miles for sharing your thoughts? Taking surveys is a somewhat lesser-known, but very real way to boost your miles. Platforms linked to airlines, like American Airlines’ Miles for Opinions or United’s Opinion Miles Club, offer you miles in return for completing surveys on various topics.
You might earn around 30-45 miles per survey, depending on length and complexity. And watch out for first-time bonuses like American Airlines’ 250 points offer. While it’s not the fastest way to rack up miles, it’s a simple and effective method to keep your account active and slowly but surely work towards your next ticket.
You don’t need a credit card to earn miles
No need to let credit card offers tempt you into running up a balance. With these strategies, you can keep on earning those miles and planning your next adventure, all without a new card in sight. If you’re worried about overspending, use a top budgeting app to keep track of it all.
Whether you’re dining out, shopping online, or even renting a car for your next road trip, there are plenty of ways to earn those precious miles. Just think creatively and keep your eyes on the prize — or, should I say, the destination.
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