If you have experienced air travel, for work or vacation, chances are you have heard of the exciting Frequent Flyer Miles (FFM) program. With the airline industry offering competitive prices since its overhaul, people are choosing the convenience of flying as their preferred mode of transport; not only while travelling internationally but even domestically (within India). As a frequent traveller, the individual earns a frequent flier account and accumulates FFM points through various ways such as flying by a particular airlines, using specific credit cards, or/and booking rooms with hotels that have partnered with the airline. Each point equals a monetary value; the more you fly, the more points you earn, the more perks you can avail of. Later, these stacked up FFM point can be redeemed to book airplane tickets, upgrade seats from Economy to Business Class, buy merchandise, and much more. Although many air-travellers are aware about it and have frequent flyer accounts, not many understand how to utilize their FFM points well.

Here are 7 ways to get more mileage from your FFM:
 

1. Understand that each airline company offers different frequent flyer programs that don’t work similarly. However, whichever airline company you have an account with, if you wish to utilize your miles to travel, it is always better to book redemption seats as soon as possible, as the airline allots only a few seats for redemption purposes.
   
   Spending FFM to buy tickets will be more effective if your preferred date and time of travel is not rigid, especially due to the limited availability of redemption seats.
    
2. Avoid being trigger-happy with your points redemption. Check the number of miles that will be consumed for each perk/offer. If you have to redeem way too many miles for a low-grade perk, paying for it with money instead would work out to be a smarter, more cost effective choice.
   
   Some airlines permit FFM to be used to purchase merchandise, access business lounges at international/domestic airports, but in any eventuality assess the number of miles that will need to be redeemed. It is imprudent to consume a large number of miles simply because cash payments are not an option.
    
3. Although FFMs offer you tickets, you might have to pay for airport taxes and charges. Sometimes these hidden costs are very high, turning the entire essence of using FFM for a free ticket sour.
    
4. Some airlines also allow a frequent flyer to accumulate FFM points from transactions on certain credit cards, eating out or booking hotels, etc. This can enable you to increase your miles kitty substantially.
    
5. There are several international airline companies that have an alliance with one or more domestic airlines. Watch out for these tie-up offers to stretch your FFM. Keep this in mind the next time you book tickets for connecting flights. Though the airline you frequently fly with might not fly a particular route (for instance, from Mumbai to Bangalore), its partner or alliance airline might.
    
6. If the airline company permits booking another individual’s ticket from your frequent flier account, club miles with your spouse or look at opening a family-pool account. This facility enables you to spend FFM even if you do not wish to travel yourself.
    
7. The most important thing about FFM points is redeeming it before expiration. Every airline has different expiration timelines and the fine print of rules and regulations. Sometimes people hoard their FFM points, hoping to redeem it all for a ticket to their dream destination. But a few years later, they realise that their FFM accounts have already expired. Double check with your airline customer services department about its rules and keep track of your FFM account frequently. This will help you get the most out of the FFM program.
    

PersonalFN is of the view that a smart traveller knows how to gain the most benefits from Frequent Flyer Miles program. Don’t let procrastination stop you from experiencing the perks of your earned points. Remember that - a penny saved, is a penny earned!

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