From Points to Perks: Turning Miles into Upgrades and More
For many travelers, the true joy of frequent flyer miles isn’t just in free flights – it’s in the perks those points can unlock. Think flying business class instead of economy, enjoying airport lounges, or fast-tracking through security. In this blog, we discuss how miles can be transformed into memorable upgrades and experiences, and how BravoMiles assists in making the most of these perks.
Upgrade Your Experience
One of the best uses of miles is upgrading to a higher class of service. Airlines often allow you to use miles (sometimes with a small co-pay) to move from economy to premium economy, business, or first classnerdwallet.com. The difference in experience is huge: lie-flat beds on long flights, gourmet meals, and premium wine – all attainable with points. For travel agents handling VIP clients or corporate executives, suggesting an upgrade redemption is a great way to add value. Instead of an uncomfortable red-eye flight in coach, your client could be well-rested in business class, ready to hit the ground running. The perceived value of such an upgrade (often a $2,000+ ticket difference) far exceeds the cost in miles.
More Than Flights
Miles aren’t limited to flights. Depending on the program, points can be redeemed for:
- Hotel Stays and Upgrades: Many airlines have hotel partners or offer their own vacation awards. Convert airline miles into hotel nights or use them to upgrade a room (ocean view suite, anyone?). This holistic use means a client’s whole trip can be enhanced via miles, not just the flight.
- Car Rentals and Transportation: Some programs let you spend miles on rental cars or rail passes. It might not always be the highest value use, but if it saves your client money on a necessary expense, it’s worth considering, especially if miles are expiring.
- Airport Lounges and Services: Frequent flyers with miles often can redeem them for lounge memberships or day passes. Providing a weary traveler a comfortable lounge (with free Wi-Fi, snacks, showers) during a layover can turn a slog into a refreshment. Additionally, some airlines allow miles to be used for fast-track security or priority boarding services – small perks that make travel less stressful.
- Merchandise and Gift Cards: While usually not the best monetary value, miles can buy merchandise, gift cards, or experiences (like concert tickets) through airline malls. We generally advise clients to prioritize travel redemptions, but if a client has, say, a small orphan balance of miles, why not get a free gift card rather than let them expire? It’s about squeezing out every benefit.
With all that fear, it’s much easier to stay at home in our comfort
zones than to break out and travel.
Strategy in Action
A client had 100,000 miles with an airline alliance. With BravoMiles’ advice, the travel agency did the following: booked a round-trip economy award ticket for a vacation (60k miles), and used the remaining 40k miles to upgrade the client’s seat on two critical business trips from economy to business class. The client ended up flying in comfort on important trips and got a free vacation flight – all for miles that had cost nothing directly (they were earned through prior travel and credit card use). The client was thrilled, and the agency won a loyal customer who raved about the “perks” they received.
Turning points into perks requires knowing the sweet spots: which routes are easiest to upgrade, which airlines offer the best award availability for premium cabins, and how to navigate the often arcane rules (fare class eligibility for upgrades, etc.). BravoMiles excels at this – we stay on top of upgrade calendars and award charts. We’ll let you know, for example, that Airline Y releases upgrade seats 72 hours before departure for elite members – info you can use to plan or set expectations.
“The Professional Hobo”
“Never Ending Footsteps”
In summary, frequent flyer miles are not just about free travel; they’re about elevated travel. From points to perks, miles can transform the journey. With smart planning and help from services like BravoMiles, you can ensure your travelers reap all the rewards they’ve earned, enjoying every mile along the way.
