Best frequent-flier promotions for fall 2016
As the summer winds down, many fliers are looking for a last-minute shot to boost their mileage accounts in preparation for holiday travel. Here’s how to get the most miles when (and even when you don’t) fly this fall.
United discounts saver economy awards for a limited time. Act fast to save miles on award tickets across the Pacific and within the continental U.S. If you reserve tickets between now and Aug. 23, save 20% on domestic round-trip economy-class awards. That is 5,000 miles off a traditional transcontinental award and 4,000 miles off a short-haul round-trip of 700 miles or less in each direction. Travel must take place by Dec. 15, but several dates around Thanksgiving are blacked out. Discounts on award travel to Asia on United flights are available for reservations made by Aug. 22 and for travel by April 30, 2017. Be sure to register for each promotion so that the miles are automatically reduced when booking.
Spirit rewards customers who spend less with more miles. In a cheeky play against other airlines’ transitions to revenue-based loyalty programs, Spirit is awarding fliers buying its cheapest tickets with more miles (2,500 to be exact). The bonuses are better for those that join its cheap-o $9 fare club. For example, spend $9 on a flight and earn 2,500 miles, whereas non-members that spend $200 would only earn 150 miles! It might seem counterintuitive, but Spirit is known for its unusual promotions. Register for this promotion, which lasts until Aug. 31, before flying.
Celebrate Virgin America’s ninth birthday with 999 bonus points. Earn 999 Elevate bonus points when you book and fly any Virgin America flight. Be sure to register for the promotion before your flight, which must be between now and Sept. 30. All fares are eligible, but award redemptions do not qualify.
Alaska Airlines offering 50% bonus on purchased miles. It is not always a smart move to buy miles, as you can get them cheaper when flying (especially on Alaska, which still offers miles based upon distance flown). But, if you have a big redemption like Emirates first class on your radar screen or a lot of holiday travel planned, Alaska miles could come in handy. The bonus gets bigger the more miles that you buy and can vary by member. This offer lasts between now and Sept. 29.
American Airlines-branded Citi credit cardholders can save miles on flights. Seasonal discounts for various destinations are made available to those with American’s co-branded Citi credit card on a regular basis. The latest round of destinations includes popular vacation cities like New Orleans, Vail and Vancouver. To receive the discount (available on either one-way or round-trip flights), cardholders must call a dedicated phone number quoting the relevant award code from the website.
Flying Blue puts more award routes on sale. FlyingBlue, the award program of Air France and KLM among others, has announced the list of global routes that are being discounted for award redemptions this fall. Reservations must be made by Aug. 31 for travel between Sept. 1 and Oct. 30. Business-class flights between Montreal or Edmonton and Europe on KLM are 25% off; KLM awards for economy class between Boston, Detroit, Houston or San Francisco and Europe are also 25% off. Business class between Vancouver and Europe on Air France is 50% off. There are many other city pairs for travel including between Europe and the Caribbean or between Europe and Asia. If you need to top up your FlyingBlue account to qualify for an award, you can transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards.
Etihad cuts benefits for American award tickets. One final note, if you hope to redeem American miles for Etihad’s incredible first-class apartment, it has been devalued a bit. Etihad used to provide private car transfers for all of its first-class passengers, but now that benefit is only offered to those paying for a ticket. If you use miles, you will have to find your own way to and from the airport.
