Frequent Flyer Hacks: Insider Secrets to Upgrading Your Travel Experience

Frequent flyer miles and airline loyalty points are like an underground economy or alternate financial system within the airline industry; everybody wants frequent flyer miles, but the value that you get for your miles is not guaranteed. The rules of the game are complex, mysterious, and can change overnight. 

Let's take a look at the current landscape of airline frequent flyer programs, and how you can keep getting upgrades and other great travel experiences. 

Why frequent flyer programs are getting less customer-friendly 

When airlines are struggling with low demand for air travel and empty seats on planes, they're often more willing to offer perks to loyal customers. But when demand for air travel is strong, and everyone on Earth seems to be waiting in line to hang out at crowded airport lounges, airlines tend to change the rules. 

Airlines are now making moves to limit the number of people who can get upgrades and other benefits. For example, Delta Airlines recently rattled the frequent flyer world when it announced major changes to its SkyMiles® loyalty program: 

• Less airline lounge access: Delta is reducing lounge access for all but the biggest-spending customers and premium airline card members. For example, under the new program, if you want unlimited lounge access, you'll have to spend $75,000 per year on a qualifying Delta airline credit card or cobranded travel rewards card. 
• No more credit for miles flown: Another disappointment to longtime frequent flyers is Delta's plan to replace "miles flown" with "dollars spent" as the only way for customers to earn elite status. Instead of letting customers get creative with strategically booking flights to earn points, airlines want you to pony up more cash.  

Many longtime Delta customers were dismayed to hear about these changes, and some air travel experts are questioning whether it's still worth chasing elite status at all. Delta responded to this brouhaha apologetically, saying that the company appreciates its customers' loyalty and intends to make further revisions to the frequent flyer program. 

But the overall trend is clear: airline lounges are overcrowded, too many people are competing for upgrades, and airlines are likely going to become a bit less generous with frequent flyer perks. Since air travel demand is so strong, airlines have more power. Other airlines might follow Delta's lead, and start to drive a harder bargain with frequent flyers. 

But that doesn't mean frequent flyer programs aren't worth the effort. With careful planning and strategies, you can still upgrade your travel experience. 

Get elite airline status -- it's still worth having 

Despite the controversial cutbacks on Delta's elite status program, most other airlines offer elite status that can still unlock upgrades to business class and other worthwhile perks. Wes Cunningham is a digital nomad and travel blogger at WorldWideyedWes.com who flies an average of 25,000 miles per year. Cunningham has AAdvantage Platinum Pro® elite status with American Airlines, and Emerald status with oneworld member airlines. 

"On average, I'm upgraded to business class 75% of the time, and these are complimentary upgrades due to my Platinum Pro status," Cunningham said. "A great benefit of having elite status is that you are automatically entered for the upgrade. I do tend to double check this if I don't see my name on the list, but generally speaking it happens over 90% of the time. It works out great since I don't have to do anything extra." 

Even if you can't get a free upgrade, there are many occasions where elite status can help you get a better deal on a more comfortable flight. 

"On other airlines, for people with my elite status, they will give you a discounted rate to upgrade or you can even bid on an upgrade," Cunningham said. "I've done this with Qatar Airways, Mexican Airways and Royal Jordanian. Be on the lookout for their emails after you have booked your flight, normally about 10-14 days before departure, where they will offer you a flat price or allow you to submit a bid for the seat at a reduced rate."

Use airline credit cards to keep getting -- and spending -- frequent flyer miles 

Are you serious about getting the most out of your frequent flyer miles? If so, you should consider shifting your everyday spending habits and personal finances to spend as much money as possible through airline credit cards, airline partner travel rewards credit cards, and airline shopping portals. 

"With American Airlines, and most major airlines, you can earn points and status through spending on their card along with shopping through their shopping portals where you can earn additional miles, up to 15 miles per dollar spent," Cunningham said. "I completely changed my spending habits to only shop through their portals and use airline credit cards to maximize my earnings to apply to future flights."

But don't assume you're going to get every upgrade for free. Sometimes you need to spend a bit extra to get the flight deal or business class upgrade you want -- and frequent flyer miles can help. 

Here are a few examples that Cunningham shared of how he's combined frequent flyer miles with money to get great flight deals and upgrades on American Airlines: 

• Buying four roundtrip award tickets to Mexico, most in business class, for $400 plus miles
• Moving up a class for 25,000 miles plus $250
• Spending $44 on an award ticket and getting a free upgrade to business class 
• Buying Economy class tickets and getting a free upgrade to business class (saving 20,000 frequent flyer miles) 

"With a little planning and strategy, you can make the system work for you and get those upgrades or book directly into business class through miles," Cunningham said. 

Even though the frequent flyer landscape is changing fast (not in airline customers' favor), there are still great deals to be found. Getting elite status with an airline and maximizing your frequent flyer miles can still help you save money and enjoy premium travel experiences.