If you’re a big fan of your frequent flier mile program or you’re planning on enrolling into one in the future, there are a few things you should be aware before they expire and you don’t even realize it.  I’m going to show you a few quick tips to help you get the most out of your program.

Spend as quick as possible – With the cutbacks on flight paths, you may find that the sears you want aren’t going to be there.  When it comes to frequent flier miles, you have to remember that airlines use reward seats.  If these reward seats are filled, you’re not getting your free airline ticket.

Book early - if you know you’re going to go on a trip in the near future and I mean future, you may want to book ASAP.  The reason you’ll want to do this is because others just like you are trying to book flights with their reward points.  If you can book about 300-400 days in advance, you’ll get a better chance at getting that first reward seat.

Think of upgrades – Remember that your flight points are worth more than just a free airline ticket.  A lot of the times, you’ll be able to upgrade your seat from a lousy coach seat to a nice first class seat.  A lot of the times, you’ll be surprised on how much the upgrade costs.  It’s usually a little less than you’d think.  It usually ranges from 10,000 points and on.

Watch your fees – If you’re just a casual user when it comes to getting your free ticket with your miles, you may be losing out.  Most airline credit cards do have an annual fee and if you’re only getting that ticket every 2 years, you may be losiing out.  If you’re paying $40 a year for annual fees and the ticket is valued at $200, you’re making just a small gain for all your spending.