Wondering how to turn your miles or points into a plane ticket? You’re in the right place. Whether you've been flying a lot or just swiping a rewards card, we’ll walk you through how to earn air miles, and how to use them to book your next flight.
Air miles (sometimes called points) are rewards you can earn and use to get travel perks. That includes things like flights, hotel stays, car hire, upgrades, lounge access and more. They're like loyalty points for travelling.
You’ll usually earn miles when you fly with a specific airline, but there are other ways to collect them too, such as:
These can all help boost your balance. Some programmes even give you points for dining out or booking through certain websites.
Once you've earned enough, you can use your miles to cut the cost of your next trip, or even pay for it entirely. It’s a great way to make your travel go further, especially if you fly often or already use a credit card that rewards your everyday spending.
There are a few easy ways to earn air miles, and you don’t have to fly every week to start building up points.
Miles don’t always show up straight away - it can take up to 120 days for them to land in your account. But once they’re there, you’re one step closer to your next trip.
You’ve earned your miles - now it’s time to spend them. Here’s how you can use them to get more from your travels:
Every point adds up. Whether you're looking to save on your next trip or treat yourself to a few extras, miles can help make it happen.
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Yes, air miles can expire, but it depends on the airline and their loyalty programme.
Some miles expire after a set time (usually 12-36 months), while others stay active as long as your account has recent activity, like earning or redeeming miles.
The best way to avoid losing them? Keep using your account - even small actions like shopping with partners or booking a flight can help. Always check your airline’s terms to stay on top of expiry rules.
It depends on a few things, like where you're flying, which airline you're with and the type of ticket you’re after. But here’s a rough idea to get you started:
Different airlines have different rules. For example, Virgin Atlantic might ask for 20,000 points for an economy return flight during standard season, but that jumps to 40,000 points during peak travel times.
The fare class matters too. Business or first class will cost you more miles than an economy seat.
Want to boost your miles faster? Here are some easy ways to earn more:
