I feel that all these programs are not for the everyday people, butfor the people who are rich and have lots of money to spend. If you use these programs only occassionally, the companies really do not want to deal with you.

Well, it all depends on the programmes you have enrolled for and how frequently you participate in these programmes .

With long Distance Telephone companies and Credit Card banks being a party to the Frequent Flyer programmes , you can still earn miles withour travelling !!!

I travel 2 times a year. I am not a frequent flyer, however, I feel that Continental is the program tailored to my needs. The miles never expire, MCI also gives you miles towards Continental, I rent a car for a weekend...again, Cont. miles!!! Granted, Cont. does not travel very many places, but look at the alternatives. I have been with Virgin, Brit. Air, A.A. All their miles expire within 3 years I believe. So you have to pick your program wisely. Go Continental!! And no I don't work for them. Good luck.

Even for the infrequent flyer, British Airways' Executive Club program can be very rewarding. Family members can pool miles in one account, which can amount to some quick awards.



For example, if a family of 3 were to go on just one vacation from Houston to London, and get the BA Visa card (10,000 bonus miles, US$50 annual fee), they would already have enough miles for an economy class ticket to anywhere in Europe from the States. And to make it even better, Executive Club miles have a life span of 4 years, in contrast to most programs' 3 years.

One of the keys to the miles game is to chose a program that you can earn miles and they won't expire. Continental is a great place to start, but a better solution is to enroll in the American Express Membership Rewards or Diners Club Club Rewards programs. Both of these programs will allow you to earn non expiring miles or points that you would be able to transfer to a partner program when you were ready to use them. Another alternative would be to ensure that you are making good use of your partners (which has all ready been discussed) everytime you travel. And of course it goes without saying, that if you are using a Visa or a MasterCard it should be an affinity card that is associated to either a airline or hotel program so you are earning everytime that you charge.

I reward myself often with miles from programs I don't use often. I take the 10,000 mile upgrade instead of waiting for 25k for an economy ticket. Frequent flyer miles are not just for the rich. When I was a student I had accumulated 140,000 miles in 2 years enough for 2 business class tickets to Europe. You just have to be savy about how you accumulate, and how you spend the miles.

Phil

The best way I have found to earn flexible miles without flying is with my Sheraton Club International (SCI)/American Express Optima credit card. The card is free; the miles never expire (until you transfer them into certain frequent flyer programs like American but not Continental); and you can apply the miles to over ten different airlines/hotel partners. Joining SCI is free and you don't need to stay at Sheraton to have an active SCI account. Check it out (www.sheraton.com).

I disagree with MileMonitor's assessment that
FF programs are only for the rich with lots
of money. I don't travel as much as I would
like. But at least in my case it's
helping me make the most of my travel dollar.
And it's nice to reward oneself with upgrades
(I did it to Europe twice and to Hawaii and
Australia) and use the hotel points for free
nights.

I've also discovered how much I like to travel, see the world, meet interesting people, even make a few friends along the way.