How to Use Airline Miles

Use your airline miles to book a free or discounted flight through your frequent flyer account.

Steps

1
Sign in
to your frequent flyer account on the airline website. Common programs include Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, and American AAdvantage.
2
Search for flights
on the airline website and select "Book with miles" or "Use points" on the search page.
3
Browse the available award flights
and check the number of miles needed. Some flights have lower mile requirements on certain dates.
4
Select your flight
and continue to the passenger details page. Enter your frequent flyer number.
5
Pay the taxes and fees
with a credit card to complete the booking. Award tickets include 5 to 100 dollars in taxes.

How many miles do I need for a free flight?Show

A domestic round trip in the US starts at about 25,000 miles. International flights start at 60,000 miles.

Do my miles expire?Show

Most airline miles expire after 18 to 24 months of no activity. Use your linked credit card or take a short trip to keep them active.

Can I combine miles with cash?Show

Many airlines let you use a mix of miles and cash for booking if you do not have enough miles.

Can I transfer miles to another person?Show

Most airlines let you transfer miles to family members for a fee of about 1 cent per mile transferred.

Written by the HowToDoStuff.online editorial team. Last updated May 18, 2026.