Use frequent-flier miles on the road less traveled

When Dot Willey added up the frequent-flier miles she had accumulated through her credit card purchases, she discovered she had more than enough to book her dream trip to Hawaii. But finding available seats was a nightmare.

In order for her whole family to use the miles, they would have to fly on different flights and different days. Dot finally gave up.

Because the miles were about to expire and it was a case of use them or lose them, Dot gave up on the trip and turned the miles into a flat-screen television set.

"Calling them 'frequent-flier miles' is false advertising," said Dot. "They should be called 'infrequent-flier miles'."

Dot isn't quite right. There are plenty of them.

Over the years, the number of frequent-flier miles issued has multiplied faster than mosquitoes after a rain storm. But if you think you'll be able to use them, you might be all wet.

When American Airlines started the first reward program in 1981, the airlines were having trouble filling their aircraft. By offering free travel as an award, the carrier built passenger loyalty.

In the beginning, American kept track of the miles and matched a mile for every mile a passenger flew. Soon Hertz rental cars and Hyatt hotels got into the act, too.

It worked. It wasn't long before the other carriers followed American's lead.

Then it got crazy.

Credit card companies bought up miles and offered them as enticements to sell their cards. Sign up for a specific Visa card and you get an immediate 25,000 miles. Pay for your groceries, hair cuts and rug cleaning and you accumulate miles. At some schools, you can collect miles when your pay your tuition. Buy groceries at your friendly neighborhood super store on Wednesdays and you receive double miles.

Some mileage addicts collect miles by accumulating credit cards. One frequent flier has opened 15 credit card accounts. By opening an account, he receives 25,000 free miles or more. He uses the card once and lets it go dormant. He has managed to rack up enough frequent-flier miles for several trips without many purchases.

Collecting miles has become a national pastime. But using them is another story. Only about 10 percent of awarded miles ever get off the ground.

Because the carriers are flying close to capacity, seats simply aren't available. It's causing the airlines to limit and devalue their award programs.

Just recently, US Airways stopped offering a minimum of 500 miles for any flight you took. In addition, passengers must pay a fee of $500 for booking an award ticket within 14 days of departure.

Continental raised the number of miles needed to purchase a flight. And other carriers have shortened the life of accumulated miles. American and United require you to use your miles within 18 months or lose them. Delta used to give you three years to use your miles. Now they're worthless after two years.

So how do you keep from losing those hard-earned miles?

• Look for the road less traveled. Flights out of smaller airports might have more seats. Flights from Chicago O'Hare to San Francisco might be filled, but flights out of Milwaukee might have available seats.

• Travel off-season. Top destinations and dates offer limited, if any, award seats. If you manage to book one, it could cost you twice as many miles as it should. Pick destinations with less demand and you have a better chance of using your miles.

• Upgrade to first class. The best bang for your buck might come by enjoying foot room and a meal at the front of the aircraft. Unfortunately, these are becoming nearly as difficult to book as a free ticket. The airlines give first dibs to their best consumers.

Gail Todd, a free-lance writer,worked as a flight attendant for more than 30years. She can be reached via e-mail at gailtodd@aol.com.