37 Ways to Game the Airlines

Laura Begley Bloom wrote a great article “37 Ways to Game the Airlines: How to Get Free Flights, Travel Perks and More” for Forbes.com.  The best part is that she included me as one of her travel experts in the column. You really must read the entire article as there are some fantastic tips for getting more bang for your buck – or no bucks – with the airlines.

One of my favorite new tips from other writers is to link your airline and hotel accounts.  You should link your Delta and Starwood accounts, as well as, Marriott and United Accounts.  They provide reciprocal elite status and you can get nice upgrades and perks between the programs.

I am actually about to use another really good tip – use a layover on reward travel.  We are flying United Airlines on frequent flier points transferred from Chase.  I researched where we could get stopovers on flights to Portugal.  For 60,000 points each we are flying into London (for 3 days) on a stopover to Lisbon.  Then on the same 60,000 points redemption I got us a return flight out of Barcelona.  We are getting 3 countries out of 1 round-trip ticket purchased with points.  The best part is United has such low taxes that it cost my family of 3 a little over $200 to go on a fabulous European vacation!

Take the time to read each and every tip and make a list to act on them.  In no time at all you’ll be gaming the airlines like a pro!