Did you know that you are leaving money on the table if you don't take advantage of the miles airlines to save on your trips?
In 2025, with so many promotions and strategies available, using miles is not just for experts — it's for everyone who wants to travel more and pay less.
Whether for a weekend getaway or an international trip, understanding how to accumulate and use miles can completely transform your travel experience.
This article will guide you with practical and straightforward tips to make the most of the power of miles, helping you save on tickets, accommodations and even use them strategically to generate more benefits.
So, get ready! By the end of this guide, you will be ready to implement these strategies and start traveling for much less.
What are Airline Miles and How Do They Work?
Frequent flyer miles emerged as a strategy for airlines to build customer loyalty.
Hoje, elas são muito mais do que apenas “recompensas de voo” — representam uma verdadeira moeda de troca no universo das viagens. E o melhor? Não é mais necessário voar para acumular milhas.
Miles work similarly to those restaurant loyalty cards, where each purchase brings you closer to a benefit.
In the case of airlines, you earn miles by purchasing tickets, using credit cards, or even through everyday shopping.
Difference between points and miles
It is common to confuse points and miles, but here is a practical explanation: points are accumulated in loyalty programs of banks, such as Livelo and Esfera, while miles are specific to airlines.
For example, the points from your card can be transferred to programs like sorrisos.com.br/home”>Smiles, TudoAzul you Latam Pass, where they turn into miles.
Transforming miles into cheap trips
The magic happens when you use your miles to book flights.
With strategic planning and taking advantage of promotions, it is possible to drastically reduce the costs of a trip.
Have you ever imagined flying in business class for just a fraction of the price? This is possible with miles!
How to Choose the Best Credit Card to Accumulate Miles?
One of the most effective ways to accumulate miles is by using the right credit card.
But, for this, it is essential to know how to choose the card that best suits your spending profile. It's not enough to have any card; the ideal one is the one that strategically accumulates points or miles.
Criteria for Choosing a Good Miles Credit Card
- Conversion Rate: Look for cards that offer a good conversion rate, such as 1 point per dollar spent or more. Some premium cards can offer up to 2.5 points per dollar.
- Extra Benefits: Access to VIP lounges, travel insurance, and discounts with partners can be decisive.
- Annual Fee Waiver: Many banks offer exemption or reduction of the annual fee based on your spending. Negotiate!
Main Bank Loyalty Programs
Programs like Livelo (Banco do Brasil and Bradesco) and Esfera (Santander) are the most popular in Brazil, offering various transfer options to airlines and bonus promotion deals.
They are called "wildcard programs" because they allow flexibility in point transfer.
What is the Best Card to Accumulate Miles?
The best card varies from person to person, but generally speaking:
- For those who spend a lot: Black or Infinite cards, like Porto Seguro Visa Infinite or Elo Nanquim.
- For more modest expenses: Platinum or Gold cards, such as Itaú Pão de Açúcar or Azul Itaucard.
With the right card, every purchase in your daily life becomes one step closer to your next vacation.
Take Advantage of Mileage Transfer Promotions
Bonus transfer promotions are one of the best-kept secrets in the world of miles.
They allow you to multiply your points by transferring them from a bank loyalty program to an airline, enhancing the accumulated balance.
What Are Bonus Transfer Promotions?
During promotional periods, banks and airlines offer bonuses on transferred points.
For example, a promotion of 100% bonus transforms 10,000 Livelo points into 20,000 Smiles miles.
It's like doubling the purchasing power of your miles, perfect for redeeming tickets or other benefits.
How to Make the Most of Promotions
- Follow the Deals: Regularly check the websites of programs such as Livelo, Esfera, TudoAzul, Smiles, and Latam Pass.
- Plan Your Transfers: Do not transfer points randomly. Wait for promotions with high bonuses, such as those offered on holidays.
- Use Strategic Cards: Some premium cards may offer up to 120% in bonuses for transfers.
Example of a Successful Promotion
A common case is the anniversary of Caixa Econômica Federal, which often offers bonuses above 100%.
Imagine transferring 50,000 points and receiving 113,000 miles in the program of your choice. These bonuses are the secret to accumulating miles quickly and efficiently.
Practical Tips for Accumulating Miles in Everyday Life
Accumulating miles doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, most of the miles you collect can come from everyday activities, such as shopping, fueling your car, or paying the grocery bill.
The key is to turn your everyday expenses into opportunities to accumulate.
Shopping at Partner Shopping Centers of Loyalty Programs
Many loyalty programs, such as Livelo and Esfera, have virtual malls where you can earn miles by shopping.
For example, when buying clothes at Renner or technology products on Amazon, you can earn extra points if you access these stores through the program's website.
Basic Items That Earn Miles
From pet food to toilet paper, practically everything can be purchased with miles on the radar.
Instead of going to physical stores, look for promotions in partner online shops that offer points for every real spent.
An example is Petlove, which often gives up to 10 points for every real spent on purchases of food and accessories.
Tips to Maximize Your Accumulation in Daily Life
- Always Check Promotions: Before buying anything, check loyalty program websites to see if there are any promotions.
- Avoid Impulse Purchases: Plan your purchases to take advantage of specific promotions that offer more points.
- Use Credit Cards: Concentrate your spending on the right credit card to earn even more points.
These small changes in your consumption habits can yield great results in no time. After all, every point counts!
Air Miles and Budget Accommodation: How to Maximize Savings
In addition to being great for booking flights, airline miles can be an excellent tool to reduce accommodation costs.
Many loyalty programs have partnerships with hotel chains, offering discounts, upgrades, or even free stays.
Partnerships Between Loyalty Programs and Hotels
Programs like Smiles, TudoAzul, and Latam Pass allow you to use your miles to pay for accommodations in chains like Accor Hotels (Ibis, Mercure, Novotel) or partner independent hotels.
This means that, in addition to saving on the ticket, you can spend less on accommodation.
Using Miles for Accommodation: Is It Worth It?
Although it is possible to use miles to pay for daily rates, it is not always the best choice. Often, the cost in miles is higher than purchasing tickets.
An effective strategy is to use credit card points in transfer promotions to hotel programs, such as ALL (Accor Live Limitless), which offer greater value.
Miles or Cashback: Which is Better for Accommodations?
- Miles: Ideas for those who are already saving and want to optimize spending on complete trips.
- Cashback: It can be a good option for those who prefer to receive a direct discount on the accommodation price.
- Mixed Strategy: Use miles for airfare and cashback for accommodations, maximizing the benefits of both options.
With a well-defined strategy, it is possible to drastically reduce accommodation costs and have more economical and comfortable trips.
Avoid the Main Mistakes When Using Airline Miles
Although they are an incredible tool for saving money, airline miles can end up being a waste of resources if you make common mistakes.
Therefore, it is essential to plan your strategies well to maximize your benefits.
Do Not Accumulate in Multiple Programs Simultaneously
One of the most common mistakes is spreading the accumulation of points across many loyalty programs.
Having 10,000 miles in each program doesn't help much if you don't reach the necessary balance to redeem tickets.
The ideal is to focus on one or two main programs, such as Smiles or TudoAzul, according to your travel needs.
Exchanging Miles for Products: A Big Mistake
Although tempting, exchanging miles for products (pots, appliances, etc.) in loyalty programs is generally a bad choice.
The value obtained per mile in these cases is much lower than what you would achieve by using them for flight tickets or accommodations.
Planning is the Key
Many people miss out on valuable promotions due to a lack of planning. If you have accumulated points, do not transfer or spend them without a strategy.
Wait for discounted transfer promotions or special flight deals.
Tips to Avoid Mistakes and Maximize Results
- Stay Alert to the Rules: Each program has its own rules for validity and redemption. Understand them to avoid losing miles.
- Follow Promotions Regularly: This prevents hasty decisions and ensures that you take advantage of the best bonuses.
- Be Patient: The miles market requires patience to wait for the right moment to use your points efficiently.
With these precautions, you will be one step ahead in making the most of your airline miles without wasting them.
How to Save on International Travel Using Miles?
Traveling abroad may seem expensive, but with the right strategies for frequent flyer miles, you can drastically reduce the costs of tickets and even other travel-related services.
Choose the Right Airline for Your Destination
Not all airlines have the best route options or mileage charts.
Therefore, it's important to research which airlines fly to your destination and which loyalty programs are partners.
For example, Smiles is a partner of Delta and Air France, which makes it easier to issue tickets to the United States or Europe.
Take Advantage of Fixed Mileage Tables
Some airlines still use fixed mileage tables, which offer more predictable values for redeeming tickets.
This is especially useful for international routes, where costs can be high.
For example, flights to Europe can cost 50,000 miles instead of R$ 5,000.
Strategies to Save on Boarding Fees
- Choose Routes with Lower Fees: Some airlines, such as TAP Air Portugal, have reduced boarding fees.
- Take Advantage of Fee Reduction Promotions: Some companies offer discounts on fees for bookings made with miles.
- Consider Flying with Connections: Although less direct, connecting flights may have lower fares, depending on the departure and connection countries.
Final Tips for International Travel with Miles
- Plan ahead: booking international tickets with miles is usually more advantageous when done 6 to 10 months in advance.
- Be flexible: flying on alternative days and times can drastically reduce costs in miles and fees.
With these strategies, you can travel to international destinations spending a fraction of the total cost, making the most of your miles.
When Is It Worth It to Sign Up for Mileage Clubs?
The subscription to mileage clubs can be a great ally for those looking to accumulate points more quickly, but it's important to evaluate if the cost-benefit truly makes sense for your travel and spending profile.
Difference Between Free Registration and Paid Clubs
Free registration in loyalty programs allows you to earn miles through flights, credit cards, and promotions.
Paid clubs offer a range of additional benefits, such as monthly points, access to exclusive promotions, and increased transfer bonuses.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Clubs
Before subscribing, consider:
- Travel Frequency: Those who travel frequently have a better chance of enjoying the benefits.
- Exclusive Promotions: Clubs like Livelo offer early access to bonus transfer promotions, which can offset the investment.
- Subscription Price: Compare the club's monthly cost with the number of points you will accumulate and the opportunities it offers.
Best Strategies for Beginners
- Start with Basic Clubs: Clubs like the Livelo 1,000 or the TudoAzul 1,000 they are budget-friendly options to test the model.
- Wait for Subscription Promotions: Often, clubs offer sign-up bonuses, increasing the initial value of accumulated points.
- Cancel When It Is No Longer Advantageous: If you realize that you are not using the benefits, cancel the club without hesitation.
Mileage clubs can be a powerful tool for optimizing points accumulation, but they need to be used with planning to avoid becoming unnecessary expenses.
How to Make the Most of Airline Miles Strategically?
In addition to saving on trips, airline miles can be used strategically to create additional opportunities and benefits.
With the right planning, you can maximize their value and even use them for activities that generate benefits.
Advantages of Exchange at Mileage Counters
A popular way to use your miles is by exchanging them for tickets at specialized counters or directly to interested individuals.
In this model, you don’t exchange miles directly, but issue tickets for third parties, offering a convenience service.
- Tip: Look for reliable groups on WhatsApp or Telegram recommended by experts in the mileage market.
Turn Miles into Practical Benefits
The miles market offers various strategic ways to use them, such as:
- Virtual Travel Agencies: Issuing tickets for clients using their own miles or those of third parties.
- Mentorships and Courses: Teaching people how to save and use miles efficiently.
- Travel Planning Consultancy: Help travelers choose the best strategies for loyalty programs.
Produce Content and Share Knowledge
Creating materials about air miles, such as YouTube videos, social media posts, or blogs, can be highly advantageous.
This not only helps educate other interested individuals but also allows you to build a follower base to promote related services or products.
Final Tip: Planning and Ethics Are Crucial
Avoid risky practices, such as making exchanges on unreliable platforms.
Focusing on planning and safe methods is the best way to use miles efficiently and sustainably.
Advanced Strategies to Multiply Your Miles
After mastering the basics, it's time to explore advanced strategies to boost your miles accumulation and maximize the benefits on your trips.
These tactics require more planning, but can deliver impressive results.
Take Advantage of Transfer Promotions with Special Bonuses
Many promotions offer bonuses higher than 100% for point transfers. For example, a birthday promotion from Caixa Econômica can turn 10,000 points into 21,300 miles.
- Tip: Keep an eye on commemorative dates and marketing campaigns from financial institutions and loyalty programs.
Plan Great Trips in Advance
International travel and business class flights usually have high demand and require more miles. That's why planning is essential:
- Define the destination in advance.
- Monitor fixed redemption promotions.
- Use your miles for cabin upgrades, such as business class or first class.
Strategies to Enhance Accumulation
- Use partner stores for your daily purchases.
- Take advantage of credit cards that offer more points in specific categories, such as international purchases.
- Participate in membership campaigns for mileage clubs with additional bonuses.
Final Tips to Multiply Your Miles
- Be patient: Wait for the right moment to transfer points or redeem tickets.
- Stay informed: Follow blogs, YouTube channels, and loyalty program newsletters to stay updated on promotions in real time.
With these strategies, you can take your miles accumulation to another level, ensuring even more advantageous and affordable trips.
Conclusion for Airline Miles
Air miles are not just a tool for saving on trips, but a true strategic resource that can completely transform the way you travel.
By applying the 10 tips in this guide, you will be better prepared to earn and use miles intelligently, saving on flights, accommodations, and making the most of the benefits of loyalty programs.
Remember that planning and knowledge are the foundations for achieving the best results.
From choosing the credit card to taking advantage of bonus transfer promotions, every step is important to ensure that your miles are used efficiently.
Now it's your turn! Start applying these strategies today and see how it's possible to travel more by spending less.
Take every opportunity to turn your daily expenses into unforgettable moments.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
- How to quickly and efficiently accumulate miles?
Focus your spending on credit cards that earn points, take advantage of partner malls, and participate in bonus transfer promotions. - What is the best credit card to earn miles?
Cards like Livelo and Esfera are versatile and allow transfers to various loyalty programs. The choice depends on your spending profile. - How to turn airline miles into cheap tickets?
Monitor redemption promotions and use fixed tables for specific destinations. - Is it worth signing up for mileage clubs?
Yes, especially for those who travel frequently. Evaluate the cost-benefit before subscribing. - Can I use miles for accommodations?
Yes, many programs offer partnerships with hotels, allowing for discounts or even free stays.