Frequent flyer programs: how to earn points quickly

Choose the right program

The first step is to identify the airline you fly most often and enroll in its loyalty program, using it as your main account even when you book with partner airlines from the same alliance. This way miles from different flights flow into a single balance instead of scattering across disconnected programs, a topic also explored in our article on airline alliances and upgrades.

Co-branded credit cards accelerate accumulation

In Italy, for example, the Miles&More Mastercard Gold by Advanzia Bank (annual fee around 72 euros) and the UniCreditCard Flexia Gold Miles&More (around 100 euros per year) convert everyday spending into Lufthansa miles; other programs have similar agreements with American Express or other institutions. Before requesting one, compare the annual fee with the actual value of miles you would earn in a year of average spending.

Ticket fare impacts accumulation

The cheapest promotional fares often earn a lower percentage of miles compared to full fare, and the exact percentage changes by airline and period: it should be checked on the program's website before purchasing, not deduced from the ticket price. Online shopping portals linked to programs can also multiply miles per purchase, but rates often vary and it is best to verify them each time.

Before requesting a co-branded card, calculate how many miles you would actually earn in a year of average spending and compare them to the annual fee: the benefit does not always outweigh that of a cashback card.