11 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Redeeming Airline Miles

Earning airline miles can feel like striking gold for frequent travelers, but the true challenge lies in using them wisely. Spencer Howard, the founder of Straight to the Points, highlights common pitfalls to avoid ensuring that you maximize the value of your miles. Here are the top 11 mistakes to steer clear of:

1. Letting Your Miles Expire: Many airlines like Delta and United have eliminated expiration dates for their miles, but others have not. Always keep track of your mileage expiration and engage in small activities like shopping through airline portals or making small purchases with an airline credit card to keep your miles active.
2. Searching for Award Flights in the Wrong Places: Not all airline websites display the same award seat availability, especially for partner airlines. Use airline alliance websites to check comprehensive availability and confirm with individual airline sites like United for Star Alliance or Delta for SkyTeam awards.
3. Procrastinating on Booking: Award seats are limited and can disappear quickly, especially during promotional periods. If you spot a great deal or the perfect flight, book it immediately to avoid missing out.
4. Being Too Rigid With Travel Dates: Flexibility is crucial, particularly if you’re aiming for premium seats. Limited availability means your exact travel dates might not always align with available award seats, so being open to adjusting your travel dates could open up better options.
5. Overpaying for an Award Flight: Before redeeming miles, check if the mileage cost is reasonable by comparing it against the cash price of a flight. Use airline award charts as a guide to determine what constitutes a good deal, aiming for “saver” level redemptions whenever possible.
6. Not Shopping Around for the Best Deal: Consider all your points and miles options across different programs for the same flight. Often, partner airlines within the same alliance may require fewer miles for the same route.
7. Transferring Credit Card Points Prematurely: Always confirm award availability before transferring points from credit card programs like American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards to airline partners. Transfers are irreversible, and processing times vary, which could lead to missed opportunities.
8. Using Airline Miles Instead of Credit Card Points for Booking: Compare the value of booking directly through credit card travel portals versus transferring points to an airline. Sometimes direct bookings through portals like Chase or Amex can offer better value, especially when factoring in transfer bonuses or portal discounts.
9. Ignoring Taxes and Surcharges on Award Tickets: Some airlines impose high fees on award tickets, which can diminish the value of redeeming miles. Look for airline programs that do not levy heavy surcharges, like United MileagePlus or American Airlines AAdvantage for certain partner bookings.
10. Purchasing Miles Unnecessarily: Buying miles is rarely cost-effective unless you need a small number to top off your account for a specific booking. Instead, look into transferring points from family members or pooling miles if your airline allows it, which can be more economical.
11. Not Using Miles for Personal Travel Preferences: Decide what’s most important to you—whether it’s flying in premium cabins, taking more frequent trips, or ensuring non-stop flights. Tailor your mile redemption strategy to suit your travel goals rather than just chasing the most luxurious option available.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that you’re making the most out of every mile and turning your hard-earned rewards into memorable travel experiences.