How I Earn 1 Million Frequent Flyer Miles Each Year: A Guide for Filipino Travelers

Imagine jetting off to your dream destinations without spending a fortune on flights. For many Filipino travelers, earning frequent flyer miles can make this dream a reality. Over the past few years, I’ve honed my strategy and learned how to earn over 1 million frequent flyer miles each year. It’s not as hard as it sounds, and you don’t need to travel constantly to rack up those miles. You just need the right system in place.

In this blog, I’ll break down exactly how I do it and provide actionable tips so you can start earning more miles too. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just starting, these tips will help you take your travel game to the next level!

1. Get the Right Travel Credit Cards

The cornerstone of my strategy is using the right travel credit cards. By using credit cards that offer miles as rewards, I earn miles for everyday purchases. There are some great options for Filipino travelers, especially those tied to popular airlines like Philippine Airlines or Cebu Pacific.

Here are some of my go-to travel cards:

• Citi PremierMiles Card: With this card, I earn 1 PremierMile for every PHP 30 spent, and the points are transferable to various airline partners. The sign-up bonus alone can boost your mileage balance.

• BDO Platinum Mastercard: I earn 1 mile for every PHP 50 spent on local and international purchases. This card also offers travel insurance and airport lounge access, which is a huge plus for frequent travelers.

• Metrobank Travel Platinum Visa: For international purchases, I get 1 reward point for every PHP 17 spent. These points can be converted into miles, and I also get free travel insurance.

Pro Tip: Always keep an eye out for sign-up bonuses. Many credit cards offer massive bonuses when you spend a certain amount within the first few months. These bonuses can give you tens of thousands of miles upfront.

2. Maximize Sign-Up Bonuses

When it comes to accumulating frequent flyer miles quickly, sign-up bonuses from travel credit cards are a game-changer. These bonuses are usually offered as a reward for meeting a minimum spend within a few months of card activation.

For example, if a credit card offers a bonus of 50,000 miles after spending PHP 200,000 in the first three months, you can quickly rack up a substantial number of miles with a bit of planning. Sometimes, you’ll find cards with bonus mile offers during special promotions, which can push your earnings even higher.

Pro Tip: Combine bonuses from multiple credit cards. For instance, applying for two cards with sign-up bonuses can land you up to 100,000 miles in a short time.

3. Take Advantage of Mileage Multipliers

Many travel credit cards offer bonus miles for certain spending categories. For example, you might earn double or triple the miles when you spend on dining, travel, or shopping abroad. This is especially useful for Filipino travelers who frequently book international flights, hotel stays, or even local dining.

Here's how I do it:

• Flights: I always book my flights using my travel credit cards to earn more miles. Whether it’s a quick trip to Hong Kong or a long-haul flight to Europe, I make sure I’m getting mileage rewards.

• Hotel Stays: I book my hotels using sites that offer extra miles or rewards. Sites like Agoda or booking directly through the airline’s hotel partners can give you bonus miles on top of your stay.

• Dining: Some cards offer miles for dining at local and international restaurants. If I’m going out for a meal, I use these cards to multiply my miles.

Pro Tip: Research which cards offer category bonuses and plan your spending accordingly. It’s an easy way to double or triple your miles without much effort.

4. Use Online Shopping Portals

Did you know you can earn extra miles for online shopping? Many airlines offer their own shopping portals where you can shop at your favorite online stores and earn miles in return. Every time I buy something online, I make sure to go through these portals, which can offer 2 to 10 miles per dollar (or peso) spent.

For Filipino travelers, this can be especially beneficial when buying electronics, clothing, or gifts from international stores.

Some popular airline shopping portals include:

• Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles iShop

• Singapore Airlines’ KrisShop

• Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles E-Store

Pro Tip: Bookmark these shopping portals and use them whenever you buy online. Even buying things like household items, gadgets, and fashion through these portals can help you earn more miles.

5. Participate in Airline Promotions and Partnerships

Airlines regularly run promotions and partnerships that give travelers bonus miles for flying certain routes, booking with partner hotels, or renting cars with affiliated companies. These partnerships offer fantastic opportunities to rack up miles faster than normal.

For example:

• Philippine Airlines often has mileage promos for specific flights or destinations, allowing you to earn double or triple miles.

• Cebu Pacific offers GetGo points when booking flights, hotels, or car rentals through their travel partners.

Pro Tip: Subscribe to your favorite airline’s newsletter or check their promo section regularly to take advantage of these opportunities.

6. Fly with Airline Partners and Alliances

If you’re not loyal to just one airline, take advantage of airline alliances like SkyTeam, Star Alliance, or Oneworld. These alliances allow you to earn miles on multiple airlines, even if you’re just flying with one partner.

For instance, if you're a Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles member, you can also earn miles when flying with Oneworld alliance partners like Cathay Pacific or British Airways. This gives you more opportunities to accumulate miles, even when you're flying with other airlines.

Pro Tip: Always link your frequent flyer account to your ticket when booking with partner airlines, so you don’t miss out on any miles.

7. Monitor Expiry Dates and Redeem Miles Wisely

Frequent flyer miles usually come with an expiration date, so it’s essential to track your miles and ensure they don’t go to waste. I make it a habit to review my mileage accounts regularly and plan trips or redemptions before my miles expire.

If you’ve accumulated enough miles but don’t have a big trip planned, consider redeeming them for smaller rewards like hotel stays, car rentals, or even gift vouchers. Some airlines also allow you to extend your miles’ validity by earning or redeeming a small number of miles.

Pro Tip: Sign up for mileage alerts to be notified when your miles are nearing expiration or when new redemption opportunities become available.

Conclusion: How You Can Earn 1 Million Miles

Earning 1 million miles a year may seem daunting, but by using the right strategies—such as optimizing your credit card use, taking advantage of promotions, and shopping through mileage-earning portals—it’s definitely achievable. It’s all about being smart with your spending and leveraging every opportunity to earn miles, both in your everyday life and while traveling.

With dedication and a well-planned system, you too can start flying to your dream destinations using miles, without breaking the bank. Happy earning, and enjoy your travels!

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