Frequent Flyer Secrets – Clever Hacks to Boost Your Miles and Points
Frequent Flyer Secrets - Clever Hacks to Boost Your Miles and Points - The Art of Manufactured Spend
Savvy frequent flyers understand that maximizing miles and points goes beyond simply earning them through credit card sign-up bonuses and regular spending. One powerful technique is the art of manufactured spend - strategically using certain methods to increase your earned rewards without actually spending more money on personal expenses.
The key is to identify legitimate avenues to convert regular purchases into credit card transactions, allowing you to rack up points and miles without draining your wallet. One popular approach is the use of gift cards. By purchasing gift cards from merchants that code as "bonus" categories on your credit card, you can earn extra points per dollar spent. This might involve buying gift cards at office supply stores to take advantage of bonus points on your card's "office supply" category.
Another tactic is to utilize money orders. By using your credit card to purchase money orders, you can convert that spend into rewards points, then deposit the money orders back into your bank account. This effectively allows you to spend on your card without incurring actual expenses. Online bill payment services like Plastiq can also be leveraged to "manufacture" credit card spend on bills you would normally pay via bank account or check.
It's important to exercise caution, as some banks and merchants may frown upon certain manufactured spend tactics, viewing them as gaming the system. Excessive or suspicious activity could potentially lead to account shutdowns or restrictions. Thus, it's crucial to research policies, diversify your methods, and maintain reasonable levels of activity.
What else is in this post?
- Frequent Flyer Secrets - Clever Hacks to Boost Your Miles and Points - The Art of Manufactured Spend
- Frequent Flyer Secrets - Clever Hacks to Boost Your Miles and Points - Maximizing Credit Card Bonuses
- Frequent Flyer Secrets - Clever Hacks to Boost Your Miles and Points - Sweet Spots for Redemptions
- Frequent Flyer Secrets - Clever Hacks to Boost Your Miles and Points - Creative Ways to Earn Extra Miles
Frequent Flyer Secrets - Clever Hacks to Boost Your Miles and Points - Maximizing Credit Card Bonuses
Sign-up bonuses represent one of the most lucrative ways for frequent flyers to quickly accumulate a hoard of points and miles. However, simply applying for cards with large bonuses is not enough - savvy travelers use strategies to maximize the value derived from these offers.
One key technique is to time applications to overlap with periods of increased spending. Planning bonus chasing around major purchases like a home renovation, car down payment, or wedding allows you to easily meet minimum spending requirements organically.
It's also wise to spread out applications across issuers. Banks scrutinize individuals who frequently open accounts for bonuses, so mixing up banks helps avoid shutdowns. Consider cards from Amex, Chase, Citi, and Capital One.
Downgrading to no-fee cards, rather than canceling, also keeps your credit history active, avoiding the ban banks impose on re-opening bonuses you previously held. Set calendar reminders before fees hit to downgrade.
Paying estimated taxes via credit card is another safe way to manufacture spend for bonuses when you lack upcoming expenses. Just be sure to have the cash to pay your tax bill.
Finally, don't forget to pool points earned from bonuses by transferring them to flexible programs like Ultimate Rewards or Membership Rewards. This stretches their value further when redeemed for high-value awards.
Frequent Flyer Secrets - Clever Hacks to Boost Your Miles and Points - Sweet Spots for Redemptions
One such sweet spot is using British Airways Avios for short-haul flights. Thanks to their distance-based award chart, Avios can net you high-value redemptions on short-haul economy awards, especially on American Airlines. Flights of 650 miles or less only cost 4,500 Avios one-way, an incredible deal.
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is another program with sweet spots worth exploiting. Thanks to KrisFlyer's unique award chart, you can fly premium cabins at a fraction of the miles by targeting specific routes. Flying Singapore Airlines suites class from Europe to Singapore, for example, costs only 86,000 miles one-way, a steal compared to other programs.
United MileagePlus offers sweet spots when redeeming for international premium cabin awards, especially to Europe, India and Southeast Asia. A one-way business class ticket to Europe can cost as little as 60,000 miles.
Finally, keep an eye out for sweet spots arising from program changes or award chart devaluations. After Alaska Airlines gutted its award chart, redemptions using Cathay Pacific Asia Miles emerged as a new sweet spot for travel on Alaska, letting you fly first class to Asia for only 70,000 miles one-way.
Frequent Flyer Secrets - Clever Hacks to Boost Your Miles and Points - Creative Ways to Earn Extra Miles
Beyond the obvious methods of earning miles through credit card sign-up bonuses and everyday spend, savvy frequent flyers have uncovered a variety of creative tactics to supercharge their mileage balances. One such approach is to leverage shopping portals.
Many airlines and hotel chains operate online shopping portals that offer bonus miles for purchases made through their links. By navigating to these portals before making an online purchase, you can earn anywhere from 1 to 10 miles per dollar spent, on top of the normal credit card rewards. The key is to make all your regular online shopping through these portals - from clothing and electronics to gifts and household items. Over time, the bonus miles can really add up.
Another underutilized tactic is to earn miles through online surveys and tasks. Companies like Swagbucks and MyPoints reward users with points that can be converted into airline miles for completing simple activities like watching videos, playing games, or participating in market research. While the earning rates are modest, these passive methods allow you to accumulate miles with minimal effort.
Additionally, observant travelers have found ways to earn miles by taking advantage of promotions and partnerships. Some airlines offer bonus miles for activities like opening a new bank account, signing up for subscription services, or even completing a mortgage application. Paying close attention to email offers and airline communications can uncover these hidden opportunities.
The real key is to get creative and think outside the box. One clever flyer, for instance, started a small e-commerce business just to earn the lucrative sign-up bonuses offered to new merchants by payment processing platforms. Another individual bought discounted restaurant gift cards to earn bonus miles on dining credits. The possibilities are endless for those willing to put in a bit of strategic planning.