WASHINGTON– Millions of Americans have frequent flyer miles sitting around, and those miles are getting harder and harder to use.
Experts estimate that there are at least 17.5 trillion miles worldwide that have been earned, but not yet used. That’s enough miles to fly around the globe 116 million times.
Most airlines used to reward frequent flyer miles based on the miles traveled on a particular flight. But now, major U.S. carriers like Delta and United have started to reward miles based on the price paid for the ticket. American Airlines will be the latest major US carrier to make this change to its rewards program later this month.
Nearly 60 percent of Americans with frequent flyer miles admit they do not know how airline reward programs work.
CBS News Travel Editor Peter Greenberg says it’s important to plan ahead.
“Start about 330 days out, and pick a destination you never thought you’d want to go,” Greenberg says. “If you want to go to London, or Paris, lots of other people do too.”
Greenberg also advises against purchasing other things with airline miles, like magazine subscriptions.
“If you’re being solicited for a magazine subscription for 1200 miles, that’s the equivalent of spending $240 for that subscription,” Greenberg explains.
Finally, Greenberg suggests that you avoid the urge to hoard the miles.
“I don’t trust the airlines as airlines, why would I trust them as banks? They’re only going to devalue the miles even further.”
