I’ve bagged millions of airline points over the years – here are my top tips

“to be frank, I'd say that neither of them actually exist or, quite possibly, are now on the verge of becoming extinct.”

The travel rewards industry, on the other hand, is thriving. "Air miles" are ubiquitous, and it's no longer the distance you travel or how often you fly that makes a difference, but how you integrate their reward-generating opportunities into your everyday routine. Presently, while being a frequent flyer still has its advantages, you can earn substantially more points from making regular purchases on the ground than from any time spent airborne.

Until now, achieving "elite status" provided special benefits, but this doesn't impact how people typically earn Avios points. Loyal customers with British Airways already earn Tier Points based on the type of flight they book, with premium cabins on long-haul flights rewarding the most points. From April, though, the airline will begin determining elite status based on total expenditure, rather than flight type. Not everyone is pleased with this change, but many customers are in agreement.

A high-spending passenger can achieve elite status, granting access to airport lounges and expedited security lines, along with free baggage checks, for a full 12 months, by buying just a single, very pricey ticket or holiday, something that wasn't previously attainable.

It'll no longer be possible to cheat the system by booking cheap flights to destinations like Bulgaria for a few hundred pounds and then flying back home without ever leaving the airport, accumulating massive airmile points in the process. This loophole will be closed.

For those who rarely fly (i.e. the vast majority of people), the recent changes won't have much of an impact. Like other airlines, British Airways operates a mass-market scheme alongside its Tier Points programme, specifically Avios, which allows anyone to earn rewards and perks by spending, regardless of their status as a frequent flyer.

How can you successfully navigate the somewhat puzzling world of airline rewards and reap the benefits of premium perks? It's not as complicated as it seems – and I'm living proof. I've successfully redeemed millions of airline points over the years, using them to experience short, scenic flights to Europe, as well as opulent long-haul journeys in luxurious first-class suites with on-board showers.

I have also supported over 40 million individuals in redeeming their personal points.

Here's a beginner's guide. The three key principles to keep in mind are: (1) Every pound and penny you spend each day matters, (2) It's preferable to participate rather than not participate at all, and (3) Don't be too quick to redeem your rewards - conducting a little research first can be very beneficial. However, there's more to consider as well.

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Learn the basics

Airline loyalty programmes are easily joined at no charge. You can sign up online by visiting your chosen airline's website and providing your name and email address to get started. Not all airlines offer loyalty schemes, with Ryanair being a notable exception, however the vast majority of "full-service" airlines and many "no-frills" airlines do offer this option. You might want to consider looking at programmes such as Virgin Flying Club, Emirates Skywards, SAS EuroBonus, The British Airways Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club.

Rewards points are considered to be a valuable currency, and while you may not accumulate a large quantity of them, even small amounts can be used to enjoy discounts on flights or purchase items such as tickets to popular UK attractions or bottles of wine. For instance, a one-way upgrade to business class can be obtained for as little as 20,000 points, and such a number of points can be earned simply from a credit card sign-up bonus or through regular online spending of a few thousand pounds.

One common misconception is that you need to be loyal to a single airline. However, with various airline alliances, this isn't necessarily the case. You can accrue Virgin Points when flying with partners such as Delta or SAS, or BA Avios by travelling with airlines like Qatar Airways and American Airlines. Simply select the loyalty programme you'd like to earn points through when making your booking.

To get the most out of a programme, you have to incorporate it into your daily expenses. You'll soon discover you can collect points on an array of purchases, using or not your preferred airline's credit card. The more of your lifestyle you link to rewards, the more points you'll accumulate, and fortunately, technology is making this process more straightforward than it used to be.

Pick the right game

It's essential to know where you want to go using your loyalty points and the type of rewards you want to earn. Joining a points programme won't be useful, however, if you're looking to fly business class to somewhere like Thailand - but it may be suitable if you enjoy taking city breaks within Europe.

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Of the best and worst. Both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic made it into the top five last year, with Air France/KLM's Flying Blue programme at the top. For what it's worth, I'm indeed a participant in all three. Once you've set your travel objective, determine how many points will be needed to achieve it.

Every swipe counts

Most airlines have their own credit cards, which earn points with every transaction, redeemable for flights and travel perks. Many top airline cards are offered by American Express, but airline cards from Visa and Mastercard are also available, particularly where Amex is not widely accepted.

Make the most out of the welcome benefits provided by airline rewards cards by choosing one of these cards. Typical sign-up bonuses vary from 20,000 to 30,000 points, although special offers can give you up to 80,000 points. Additionally, you may also collect more points on the anniversary of opening your account, depending on your spending habits.

A friend who runs an IT business used to use a direct debit to pay bills such as their Amazon Cloud invoices. However, they now pay these suppliers with a rewards earning credit card and, as a result, receive a substantial number of points every month. These points are used to book business-class flights to the Maldives for their family of four through the Avios scheme. The flights are paid for out of spend that would have occurred anyway.

Take care, I wouldn’t want you to get too swept up

Earning points can become a habit-forming affair, so it's a good idea to steer clear of any unnecessary or extravagant purchases. It is essential to bear in mind that if you're paying exorbitant interest rates to the banks, you'll end up losing any financial benefits you initially gained - make sure to clear the amount in full by the end of each month.

Find activities to enjoy on a daily basis.

Make sure to choose a frequent flyer programme that offers frequent rewards for virtually all your activities and transactions.

A cracking loyalty scheme should have an e-shop where you can rack up bonus points while shopping online – and in-store at loads of retailers, points subscriptions or sales to help you earn quicker. Plus, partner deals so you earn points for things like grocery shopping.

Here are some examples where you can earn from your credit card spend and then convert supermarket points into airline miles as well.

Don’t keep on to your points for more than necessary

Points are not investment savings accounts and generally decrease in value over time. For instance, a flight costing 70,000 points this year might cost more in the future. The longer you delay, the higher the likelihood of devaluation - so be cautious.

Be flexible

Flexibility is the catch that everyone claims to dread with points flex rights. To secure those prized business- or first-class seats using your points, you typically need to travel a day ahead of schedule or take the early morning flight, rather than the later one.

to gain a clearer understanding of seating options.

Seats become available daily, so not finding one today doesn't necessarily mean none will be available tomorrow. Keep checking regularly. If you have Avios, it's a good idea to check at midnight when seats are first released (355 days in advance).

"Don't get too attached to the idea of flying business class."
Although business class offers a more comfortable experience, the main difference is often exaggerated. The seats in first class seats are typically bespoke and luxurious, with features such as lie-flat beds and gourmet meals. Business class seats are normally wider and more reclined than economy, but they usually don't convert into completely flat beds. The biggest advantages of business class are the extra legroom and priority check-in.

By most measures, "winning" with your reward points is about securing a spot in the more premium part of the plane, which would typically have cost a cash price you'd rather avoid paying.

However, one size does not fit all. For a regular household, earning points could be the key to making a holiday a possibility in the first place. If you're only travelling because of your points, or making a small saving on a cash ticket, consider it a success.

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