How to buy a plane ticket with miles

We continue to introduce readers to the topic of budget travel: we will tell you how to buy an airline ticket with miles and what discounts await you.

What are miles for

In short, for budget travel. Airline miles are loyalty units that passengers earn when traveling with a specific airline or partners from their alliance. Frequent customers are rewarded with their accrual.

Passengers earn and spend loyalty points by purchasing airline tickets or various services and products. Miles save money, provide additional privileges and comfort. For example, bonuses can provide you with:

• free airline tickets or discounts on travel with the airline;
• upgrade of service class to a higher one (for example, from economy class to business class);
• additional benefits during check-in and boarding — no need to queue, as you will be allowed to go first;
• exclusive services at airports — for example, access to VIP lounges;
• discounts on partner goods and services — hotel accommodation, car rental, insurance.

Airline Bonus Programs

There are many airlines in the world, so they often form alliances, allowing their passengers to accumulate miles and enjoy benefits with partner companies. The largest and most famous alliances are:

• SkyTeam, which includes Aeroflot, Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM, and others.
• OneWorld, which includes S7, British Airways, American Airlines, Air Berlin, Iberia.
• Star Alliance, which includes major carriers such as Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa.

This means that if you have accumulated miles with S7, you can then use them on a flight with Iberia. Additionally, each alliance has its own partner hotels and rental services worldwide — making the loyalty system even more attractive and beneficial for frequent travelers.

Aeroflot — Aeroflot Bonus program

Immediately after registration and the first flight, 500 bonus rubles are given, then you accumulate miles and raise your status in the program from basic to elite. The participant's level is determined by the number of flights made or points accumulated per year. The higher the status, the more privileges: free access to premium lounges, an additional baggage allowance, priority boarding. There are many ways to accumulate miles: purchasing airline tickets, using partner bank cards, paying for hotels.

S7 Airlines — S7 Priority program

For registration and the first flight, the airline gives 500 welcome bonuses. The program works on the principle of "the more you fly, the more you get": for each new status (which depends on the number of flights), you earn points. With miles, you can buy cheap tickets on Kupi.com, as well as profitably get additional services, upgrade your flight class, rent a car, or stay in a hotel. S7 allows you to combine payment with miles and rubles (no need to wait until the required number of bonuses accumulates), and also combine points on a family account and use them with loved ones. 

Ural Airlines — Wings program

The Ural Airlines loyalty program allows you to receive up to 12% of the cost of airline tickets, additional services like seat selection, and purchases in the online store to your personal account. The amount of accruals depends on the fare type and the level of participation in the program: passengers start at the blue level with 1,000 welcome miles, and get the maximum benefits at the gold level. With bonuses, you can immediately get the next ticket at a discount or pay for additional services.

How to accumulate miles

You can fly almost for free if you actively accumulate bonuses. It's not difficult to collect the required amount: just buy tickets on Kupi.com from airlines within the same alliance, purchase services from partners, and your chances for great and budget-friendly trips will increase.

Some banks offer special cards for accumulating miles. More card spending means more points in your account. But remember that maintaining such cards will also cost extra money.

Sometimes you can get them for free, as a gift: airlines give them when joining a loyalty program, for birthdays, or other holidays.

How to spend miles

Even if you decide to buy a plane ticket with miles, you will still have to pay a little money. Bonuses only cover the fare cost — fees and taxes are paid separately. When choosing a ticket, immediately clarify the amount of additional expenses.

Buying airline tickets this way is a great option for those who travel a lot or, for example, often take a more expensive open-date airline ticket. Frequent flights not only help accumulate bonuses but also raise your level in the loyalty program — which in turn provides new perks.

If you rarely fly, we advise you to upgrade your flight conditions with miles instead of buying a ticket: for example, upgrade an economy class ticket to business. Or take advantage of benefits such as priority check-in and access to a luxurious waiting area where drinks and food are served. Find out in advance from the airline what other services are available for miles.

Here's where else you can spend loyalty bonuses:

• additional baggage — miles can be used to pay for excess weight or even buy an extra spot in the baggage compartment;
• hotel accommodation that cooperates with bonus programs. You can pay for the room in full or in part, and it will be cheaper than paying with cash, as airlines try to attract more attention to their bonus programs and often meet passengers halfway;
• car rental for the duration of the trip;
• onboard purchases — food, drinks, or souvenirs;
• gift certificates that can be used in stores, restaurants, and other establishments;
• charity — such an option, for example, is available with Aeroflot.

We wish you amazing travels!