MilesBuzz! - Combining Frequent Flyer Miles

Has anyone figured out how to combine frequent flyer miles? :confused: So far, I have to rely on credit cards like Starwood Preferred to "top off" my miles for each frequent flyer program so I can qualify for free flights.

I've stumbled on a few other ways, but you tend to lose substantial mileage in the conversion...

Welcome to FT ^

As you say, usually there is a massive devaluation involved in transferring miles from a program to another, if it's possible at all. Convenient transfers were more common in the past, but there are fewer and fewer left.

As a general rule, you should consolidate your miles in just a couple of core programs (depending on your flying patterns). Stick on FT for a while and you'll learn a lot about maximizing your mileage earning and redemptions.

There is a way to transfer miles from Continental or Midwest Airlines to Air Canada, Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, Mexicana, Northwest, Continental, Midwest, or United Airlines, or US Airways at a 1:1 ratio via Amtrak and Choice Hotels points. Transfer to Southwest Airlines is even better.

Details on my website below on the Other Programs I Like page in the Points to Miles, esp. Hotels > Amtrak section.

Has anyone figured out how to combine frequent flyer miles? :confused: ...
I've stumbled on a few other ways, but you tend to lose substantial mileage in the conversion...

Webflyer Mileage Converter (http://www.webflyer.com/programs/mileage_converter/)

At one time you were able to transfer from American to Hilton, can't remember if that was via Amtrak. Hilton points are also another option from Amtrak.

There is a way to transfer miles from Continental or Midwest Airlines to Air Canada, Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, Mexicana, Northwest, Continental, Midwest, or United Airlines, or US Airways at a 1:1 ratio via Amtrak and Choice Hotels points. Transfer to Southwest Airlines is even better.

Details on my website below on the Other Programs I Like page in the Points to Miles, esp. Hotels > Amtrak section.


I think there is a limit of 25k per year, at least that is what I saw for my CO to AA transfer I was contemplating.

Anyone know if that will reset on Jan 1st if I transfer 25K before then?

At one time you were able to transfer from American to Hilton, can't remember if that was via Amtrak. Hilton points are also another option from Amtrak. You can do the transfer direct AA --> HH.

www.points.com let's you swap points between some airiline and hotel programs.

www.points.com let's you swap points between some airiline and hotel programs.
With very terrible transfer rate, if I may add. The best use for points.com, IMHO, is to either to extend the mile expiration with a small transfer (generate an activity per se) or put your orphaned miles into use.

Otherwise, don't touch it.

Other than the aforementioned Amtrak/Choice Hotels route, most transfers have a huge devaluation.

If you fly on multiple airlines in an alliance, you should usually consolidate your miles earnings in a single account. As an example, if you fly Delta, Northwest, and Air France (Skyteam), you can have miles on all those airlines credited to a single account on one of the airlines. You can then use those miles for flights on that airline, or partner awards with the other airlines in the alliance. You can also combine partners in an award. The other two main alliances (Star Alliance and OneWorld) work the same.

Note that you must have the flights credited to a single account -- you can't pool miles between programs even in the same alliance. If you have a Delta SkyMiles account, you give NW or AF your SkyMiles number when you fly on them.

The main exception to having a single account is if you fly enough to earn elite status on more than one airline.

If you fly on multiple airlines in an alliance, you should usually consolidate your miles earnings in a single account. As an example, if you fly Delta, Northwest, and Air France (Skyteam), you can have miles on all those airlines credited to a single account on one of the airlines. You can then use those miles for flights on that airline, or partner awards with the other airlines in the alliance. You can also combine partners in an award. The other two main alliances (Star Alliance and OneWorld) work the same.

I've been earning FF miles sporadically for 20+ years on various airlines, and didn't know that. Thanks for the info. Will have to rethink how to accumulate miles on alliance airlines henceforth.

yes, it is per calendar year.

I think there is a limit of 25k per year, at least that is what I saw for my CO to AA transfer I was contemplating.

Anyone know if that will reset on Jan 1st if I transfer 25K before then?

1 AA mile = 2 HH points with a one time transfer fee of $25
You can do the transfer direct AA --> HH.