Earning Frequent Flier Miles When Booking Flights Through Expedia

Many travelers wonder if they can still earn valuable frequent flier miles when booking flights through Expedia. The answer is yes; typically, you will still earn credit with the airlines’ frequent flyer programs as long as you follow certain steps. This guide will walk you through the process and provide insights into how to maximize your frequent flier miles.

General Guidelines for Earning Frequent Flier Miles

The key to earning frequent flier miles when booking through Expedia is to provide your frequent flyer number during both the booking and check-in process. However, it’s important to note that some airlines have specific policies and conditions for third-party bookings. Always verify that your frequent flyer number is correctly linked to your reservation to ensure you receive the appropriate mileage credit.

Earning Mileage on Your Booking

Earning mileage through Expedia is not different from booking directly with an airline or using a travel agency. Whether you book online through a travel site, an airline’s website, or a travel agency, you will still receive credit with the frequent flyer program associated with the airline you are traveling with. This applies as long as the airline is part of the same airline network, such as Star Alliance, Skyteam, or One World.

The exact level of credit received on a specific flight will depend on several factors, including the relationship between airlines, the booking class of the ticket, and the class of flight booked. Additionally, factors like economy, economy plus, business, and first class can also influence the amount of mileage earned.

Steps to Earn Frequent Flier Miles

To ensure you can claim your frequent flier miles, follow these steps:

Provide your frequent flyer number at the time of booking. This is often required to receive mileage credits.

Check the specific airline’s policies on third-party bookings. Some airlines may have restrictions or conditions to consider.

Verify that your frequent flyer number is correctly linked to your reservation.

After your flight, wait 14 days before requesting a ‘Retro Credit’ from the airline. Look for the fare class (usually labeled as 'L') on the summary screen during booking.

Select the appropriate frequent flyer program for the airline on the Retro Credit form. For instance, if your flight was with Etihad, you would typically receive 50 miles in many programs at the time of writing.

Note that you must be a member of the frequent flyer program before your flight. A few exceptions apply.

Comparison with Hotel Booking Experiences

It’s worth noting that the experience differs significantly between hotel and flight bookings through Expedia. Unlike hotels, where you almost never earn hotel points and credits when booking through Expedia, the airline industry is more forgiving. Expedia often loses money on flight bookings but never on hotel bookings made through their website.

The fare class is a crucial factor in determining whether you can earn miles. Expedia usually displays the fare class for each ticket on the summary screen before booking.

For a detailed understanding of how to claim your miles, refer to the below steps:

Select the appropriate frequent flyer program for the airline you are traveling with. For example, if your flight is with Etihad, go to Every Frequent Flyer Program and select Etihad. You will typically receive 50 miles in many programs at the time of writing.

After your flight, wait 14 days before requesting a ‘Retro Credit’ with the airline. Note that you must have been a member of the program before your flight. A few exceptions apply.

Conclusion

We hope this guide helps you understand how to earn frequent flier miles when booking through Expedia. Remember, careful attention to detail and following the steps outlined above can significantly enhance your travel reward experience. Safe travels!