We just got back from Miami, whose flight I booked using travel rewards points, or in this case AAdvantage miles. I am not an American Airlines miles earning credit card holder, and sure by not carrying an AAdvantage credit card it takes long to accumulate miles, but I am someone that doesn’t want to carry various annual fee credit cards. So how did I earn 25,000 AAdvantage miles for a round-trip flight from LAX to Miami International?
The Earning Begins
Last year, I paid for an American Airlines round-trip flight to Atlanta, and when I booked this flight I created a free AAdvantage account. No credit card necessary. I was able to get a couple of thousand points from that booking. At this point, I was thinking I was dead in the water and those points would go to waste. Lucky for us all, American Airlines has several ways for non-card holding members to earn points.
Then in May 2015, I earned 1,000 AA miles by taking part in AAdvantage University. All I had to do was watch a few short videos and take quizzes. I was done in under 20 minutes.
Earn for Miles
Next I earned AA miles by joining AAdvatange Dining. I received 1,000 miles by linking a card (doesn’t have to be AAdvantage credit card) to my account, dining at a participating restaurant, paying with said card, and posting a quick review. Although the points are miniscule, I still receive them if I pay with my linked card at a participating restaurant. I advise you to sign up today.
Switch Providers
So far, the amount of points earned is small and wouldn’t get me anywhere, but a few months ago I switched my cell phone service provider to Sprint and found out that AAdvantage also has offer for that. So if you are a new Sprint customer, take advantage of the promotion and earn 20,000 miles! Along with the 20,000 miles, you can earn up to 5,000 miles per year if your phone line is in good standing.
Shop Online
Another great way to earn AAdvantage miles is by shopping through AAdvantage eShopping. If you are a frequent online shopper, this shopping portal has over 850 online stores, so you’re bound to find your favorite stores. You will earn points for shopping at a store through the AAdvantage eShopping portal. You don’t have to pay with an AAdvantage credit card either. I ordered $50 worth of products from Bumble and Bumble and received 150 miles. It is not a lot but it does add up.
Rocket Miles
If you are going on vacation and will be paying for accommodations, book your hotel through Rocket Miles. You can earn up to 10,000 miles per night. You can literally earn enough points for a round trip from a few nights at a hotel that you book through Rocket Miles. Again, you don’t have to pay with an AAdvantage credit card.
E-mail Subscription
Also, make it a point to subscribe for American Airlines promotions. They frequently send promos to take polls, switch cable provider, and chances to win up to 350,000 miles (offer ended). At the moment, there is a promotion for a chance to win 250,000 miles called Flying Kind. All you have to do is give a travel tip, which can be pretty much anything, and you’re in. For doing that, you’ll receive 250 points.
If you’re like me and don’t want to open several credit card accounts to earn points, you can use the strategy detailed in this post to earn yourself free flights on American Airlines. Other airlines and hotels have similar offers, including their own shopping portals.
Have you used a similar strategy? Are there other AAdvantage promos we missed? Comment below.