Maximizing Your Airline Miles: 7 Tips for Summer Travel Savings

Despite ongoing concerns about inflation, there is good news for summer travelers. Recent data from travel booking engine KAYAK indicates that average flight prices, particularly for international destinations, have dropped by 7% compared to summer 2024. For instance, flights to Sydney, Australia, are down by 23%, according to KAYAK. However, you can also save by traveling closer to home; flights to top Florida cities cost less than $300.

To help you get the most value from your airline miles this summer, here are some tips from savvy travel hackers:

Do's:

1. Book During Off-Peak Times: Early morning or late-night flights often cost less. If you can save a few hundred dollars or stretch your miles further, it might be worth the early morning trip to the airport.
2. Book Less Popular Cities: What is peak season in one city may be off-peak in another, making that city less popular at that time. For instance, travelers may not flock to England in the winter or Australia during U.S. summer months. But doing so can save you a bundle.
3. Save Points for Longer Trips: Don’t waste your travel points on quick trips to local U.S. cities. Instead, save them for international or coast-to-coast travel. Points tend to go further on longer flights, especially if you book business class or better.
4. Consider Transferring Points to Travel Partners: Once you get into the art and science of travel hacking, you’ll start to learn which travel partners offer a better return for your rewards. Transferring points can help you get the flight you want for the least miles possible.
5. Book Early: In general, you’ll get the best deals on summer travel by booking early. But if you haven’t yet booked your trip, you can still save. According to KAYAK’s report, the cheapest weeks to travel are coming up between August 11 and August 31.
6. Explore Hidden Gems: Consider hidden gems that many travelers don’t know about yet or aren’t in vogue. For instance, Albania has a beautiful mountain chain with trails ideal for hiking, glamping and experiencing local culture. Similarly, Ecuador may be a more affordable alternative to a tropical vacation in Costa Rica.

Don'ts:

1. Don’t Let Points Expire: Keep an eye on the fine print of your travel credit cards and other loyalty programs. While many rewards programs have points that never expire, some do. Points may expire after a year or more of inactivity. It’s often easy to extend those points by using the credit card they are tied to or spending some of the points. You can usually look in the app or check your online account to see if you have rewards set to expire. The free AwardWallet app also allows you to track your credit card rewards, loyalty points, expiration dates and travel.
2. Don’t Cash in Miles for Merchandise or Gift Cards: You’ll rarely get the best cash value for your points or miles if you trade them in for merchandise or a gift card. Having said that, if you have loyalty points set to expire and no travel plans coming up, consider buying a gift card. Another option is to transfer the points to a friend who can use them.