Video:How to Get Frequent Flyer Miles and Elite Status

Transcript:How to Get Frequent Flyer Miles and Elite Status

Hey guys - Jonathon Stewart here for About.com. Air travel these days can be a little rough - standing in long lines, having to buy expensive food and beverages, getting bad seats, being the last person allowed to board, and paying out the wazoo for it? Sound familiar? Well, take a look at these tips and you just might be cutting lines, sitting in great seats, and flying... for free. Check it out.

Join Frequent Flyer Programs

Tip one: Sign up. Before you book any flight around the world, make sure you first get on board the airline's frequent flyer program. Simply go to the airline's website, click on the frequent flyer program tab, fill out the short form, and bingo. You're all set. Be sure to keep your frequent flyer number and login info easily accessible. Don't fall victim to the, oh, I'll sign up when I'm checking in at the airport routine. No you won't - you'll be sprinting through the terminal with wet hair and spilling coffee all over yourself trying to make your flight.

Rack Up Airline Bonus Miles

Tip two: Look for bonus miles. In order to be a frequent flyer, you really don't have to fly all that frequently. Credit cards with rewards programs often earn points with airlines, which can quickly add up to free travel. Buying tickets and checking in online can also earn you bonus points, all with the click of a button.

Though it varies from program to program, you typically earn one point for each mile flown, and a point for each dollar spent on a credit card. The threshold for award tickets usually starts around 25,000 points for coach, which means if you buy a new Prius on your Mastercard, you can also get a roundtrip ticket to Albuquerque. As long as you live in the Continental United States and don't fly on holidays - other black out periods and restrictions may apply.

Get Airline Status

Tip three: Get status. Unlike airline points, elite status is generally based on how far you fly, and how many legs you have on each trip. The ballpark for entry-level elite status, again, is about 25,000, but when you actually fly those miles, the perks start rolling in: exit row seats, priority seating, priority security screening, priority check-in, private lounges, companion tickets, and priority standby are just a few.

And once you get into the platinum status levels, you might even be able to start bumping people off of overbooked flights, Mr. Travelly Pants. Know that while miles often do not expire (though always read the fine print), status is only good for the year or so after you fly the required number of miles. Unless you gun for "lifetime status," which airlines grant somewhere around the million mile mark.

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