Readers often ask, “Should I buy airline miles?” Buying miles can be tempting especially when there are offers like up to 50% bonus on purchased United Airlines miles, up to 50% bonus on American Airlines miles, and a 40% bonus when you buy Southwest points. The only time you should buy airline miles is when it makes sense for you.
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The Only Time You Should Buy Airline Miles
Generally, it doesn’t make financial sense to buy miles. Because often you’re paying more than the miles are worth.
But there are three times when you should buy frequent flyer miles:
1. If you’re short on miles for an award ticket.
2. To book an expensive International First Class or Business Class flight.
3. To keep your miles from expiring.
If You’re Short on Miles for an Award Ticket
You should buy airlines miles if you don’t have enough for an award ticket.
But I’m not talking tens of thousands of miles, more like a few thousand miles.
Let’s say you want to fly to Hawaii. You can get MileSAAver off-peak award for 20,000 American Airlines miles each way.
You have 38,000 American Airlines frequent flyer miles.
Do you skip going on your dream trip to Hawaii because someone said you should never buy miles? No way! You pony up and buy the 2,000 miles for $59.
So for $59 bucks, you get to lay on the beach drinking mai tais and snorkel with turtles.
To Book an Expensive International First Class or Business Class Flight
It’s worth buying miles to book an international First Class or Business Class flight on an award ticket. Because you can save thousands of dollars.
A round-trip First Class ticket on Cathay Pacific can cost $25,008.84.
You book an award ticket using Alaska Airlines miles to fly round-trip First Class on Cathay Pacific for 140,000 miles.
Buying 140,000 miles costs $4,138.75.
If you bought miles and booked an award ticket, you save $20,870.09.
To Keep Your Miles From Expiring
Another reason to buy airline miles is to keep your miles from expiring.
Frequent flyer miles expire after 18 months if there’s no mileage earning activity. If you haven’t flown on that airline or earned any miles from dining, shopping, renting cars, or staying at hotels within 18 months you will lose all the miles in your airline account.
One way to keep those miles from expiring is to buy airline miles. If you’re in a time crunch, this is your best option. Because some airlines like American Airlines, miles post to your account within 8 hours.
If you do buy miles, be sure to look for buy miles promotions. Frequently the airlines will offer bonuses when you purchase miles.
Where to Buy Airline Miles
You can buy airline miles using these links:
- Air France KLM
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- British Airways Avios
- Delta Airlines
- JetBlue
- Saudi Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
Pro-tip: Most airline mile purchases are handled by Points.com. So you won’t earn a travel bonus for purchasing miles.
Related posts on earning airline miles:
Conclusion
Should you buy airlines miles? Normally you shouldn’t buy frequent flyer miles.
But there are 3 times when you should buy airline miles:
1. If you’re short on miles for an award ticket.
2. To book an expensive International First Class or Business Class flight.
3. To keep your miles from expiring.
If you’re going to buy miles check for special bonus offers like up to 50% bonus on purchased United Airlines miles, 40% bonus when you buy Southwest points, and up to 50% bonus on American Airlines miles.
Short on hotel points? Read the only time you should buy hotel points.
Pin this to your travel tips, vacation, or travel board:
Have you bought airline miles?
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Debra Schroeder is a travel writer with 26 years of experience using miles and points to travel the world. A former 12-year travel industry executive, she knows how to find the deals and how to creatively finance trips, like getting a trip to Hawaii for practically free or a $26,000 trip to Australia for $208. She’s always looking for the best deal, whether it’s a hostel, luxury resort, or somewhere in between.
Alessandra
Friday 27th of January 2017
These are such great tips! I have never thought about buying miles before but those 3 are valid reasons to do so. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge:)
Vaishnavi
Thursday 26th of January 2017
Wow, sound advice and tips on buying airline miles. This is so confusing and tough choice to make. Glad that you've added a method to the madness!
Chrishelle
Thursday 26th of January 2017
I plan on traveling more this year and collecting some airline miles. I am pretty ignorant when it comes to this reward program. Thanks for the info. I will definitely remember it when I go to use my collected miles.
Adanna
Thursday 26th of January 2017
This is very, very helpful! We're planning an international trip and I was wondering about this. I pinned this and I am going to share with my friends who are travelling as well.
Sandy N Vyjay
Thursday 26th of January 2017
Never really think of the miles. Glad you have cleared many doubts here. Will use your suggestions next time we travel.