Summary Members can buy airline miles to boost their balance, with costs varying among carriers. American Airlines is priciest for AAdvantage members at 3.76 cents per mile.
JetBlue offers the best deal at only 1.50 cents per mile for TrueBlue members. For airline loyalty program members, purchasing miles can be a quick and easy way to top up their miles balances.
The majority of US carriers allow miles to be purchased, albeit often with certain conditions, such as minimum and maximum spends. The cost per mile can also vary considerably depending on the airline and any applicable promotion that may be in place. From the 'Big 3' legacy airlines to the ultra-low-cost carriers, which of the country's major airlines offers the best value for money when it comes to purchasing additional miles? American Airlines AAdvantage American Airlines charges AAdvantage members a standard rate of 3.
76 cents per mile, making it the most expensive of the major US carriers to purchase miles. The carrier also has a minimum spend of 5,000 miles and a maximum spend of 150,000 miles. Members need to be mindful of when any additional miles will expire, as American Airlines still has an expiration policy, unlike both United Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
The oneworld member was the second airline in the world to launch a loyalty program in 1981, after Texas International Airlines in 1979. Texas International Airlines went on to merge with Continental Airlines, which later merged with United Airlines in 2010. Today, AAdvantage is the world's largest airline loyalty program, with more than 100 million members.
25,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles can take you to may places, but don't set your expectations too far. United Airlines MileagePlus United Airlines allows members of its MileagePlus loyalty program to purchase additional miles at a rate of $35 for 1,000 miles (equivalent to 3.50 cents per mile), with a minimum spend of 2,000 miles.
One person unlikely to need to purchase additional miles is Tom Stucker, often referred to as the world's most frequent flier. Stucker is a member of MileagePlus and, according to United Airlines, has flown more than 20 million miles with the carrier. The app was created to boost mileage earnings on everyday purchses.
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Delta Air Lines also charges 3.50 cents per mile, putting it on a par with United Airlines. The SkyTeam member has a minimum spend of 2,000 miles and a maximum spend of 60,000 miles.
Delta Air Lines launched its SkyMiles loyalty program in 1981, and became the first major US carrier to remove mile expiration in 2011. Today, the carrier offers frequent flier partnerships with its fellow SkyTeam members, in addition to a number of other airlines, including: Hawaiian Airlines LATAM WestJet. Up to 10,000 bonus miles are up for grabs for those booking a Delta Vacations package.
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Southwest Airlines charges Rapid Rewards members 3.00 cents per mile, with a minimum spend of 2,000 miles and a maximum spend of 60,000. However, the carrier holds occasional promotions, offering up to 45% off the standard price, bringing it down to 1.
65 cents per mile. This makes purchasing miles a much more attractive prospect for Rapid Rewards members. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Members of Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan can purchase additional miles for the price of 2.
75 cents per mile. The carrier has a minimum spend of 3,000 miles and an upper limit of 150,000 miles. Just like Southwest Airlines, the carrier has promotions throughout the year, offering miles bonuses that increase with the number of miles purchased.
For example, the carrier recently offered the following bonuses on mile purchases: Purchase 3,000 - 19,000 miles = 40% bonus miles Purchase 20,000 - 39, 000 miles = 50% bonus miles Purchase 40,000 - 100,000 miles = 60% bonus miles. As part of such a promotion, members could purchase 100,000 miles for $2,956.25 and acquire a bonus of 60,000 miles, bringing the overall price down to 1.
85 cents per mile. Frontier Airlines Frontier Miles Frontier Airlines allows members of its Frontier Miles loyalty program to purchase miles for 2.50 cents per mile.
The minimum spend is 1,000 miles, and the maximum spend is 30,000 miles. Data from ch-aviation shows that the ultra-low-cost carrier is set to grow its fleet significantly over the coming years, with 49 Airbus A320neos and 148 A321neos on order. These aircraft will join the airline's existing fleet of 150 A320 family aircraft.
The card now offers two free bags on Frontier flights and a fast track to elite status. JetBlue TrueBlue Members of JetBlue's TrueBlue loyalty program can purchase additional miles at just 1.50 cents per mile, making it by far the cheapest option of the major US carriers.
However, the carrier has a maximum spending limit of 150,000 miles. The airline launched TrueBlue back in 2008, and today works with a number of airline and non-airline partners around the world, including: Qatar Airways Singapore Airlines South African Airways Amazon InterContinental Hotels Group. You can spend points with JetBlue and one partner, or on vacation packages.
The table below compares the current standard price per mile across the above airlines, not taking into account any applicable promotions offers: Airline Loyalty program Price per mile American Airlines AAdvantage 3.76 cents United Airlines MileagePlus 3.50 cents Delta Air Lines SkyMiles 3.
50 cents Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards 3.00 cents Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan 2.75 cents Frontier Airlines Frontier Miles 2.
50 cents JetBlue TrueBlue 1.50 cents Under normal circumstances, JetBlue offers by far the best value for money, at just 1.50 cents per mile, less than half the price of that of the 'Big 3' legacy airlines.
However, promotional offers can bring the price per mile with other carriers down significantly, making buying miles a much more attractive option for loyalty program members..
