The Elusive Free Seat: What the Airlines DON'T Tell You

It's easy to accrue frequent-flier miles - not only by flying, but also from hotel stays, car rentals, buying flowers, and taking out a mortgage. Unfortunately, it's not always so easy to use them, despite airlines' claims that a reasonable percentage of seats on each flight are allocated for award use. However, the airlines won't tell you how many of them are allocated for it; but they will admit that, sometimes, it's very few... or even none.

Although almost all basic trips using frequent-flyer miles can now be booked online, it may pay to call your airline directly and speak to a real person. Most airlines have dedicated frequent-flyer or award-travel desks, and the agent is often able to suggest alternatives or go the extra mile for you. It may sound obvious, but make sure you're actually talking to someone qualified to book award travel, instead of a regular reservations agent.

Book Ahead

Booking ahead and being flexible are both key when it comes to successfully finding mileage seats. Remember: Most airlines can book 330 days ahead. If at all practical, call as close to that timeframe as possible; although it still doesn't guarantee that a free seat is available. Availability can change as well, as the airlines constantly monitor flight loads. Also, a flight that isn't as full as anticipated may have more mileage seats.

Be persistent: Ask to speak to that agent's supervisor or manager. This person has the authority to unblock mileage seats, especially if that flight has no seats sold on it yet. If you feel the agent on the phone is simply not being helpful or isn't knowledgeable, call back and speak to somebody else. If you're booking for an elite or premium passenger, the airline should have their own dedicated desk to handle the call.

Flexibility Is Key

If your trip allows for it, be flexible with your date and time. A frequent-flyer seat may be available the day before or after the date you want, and there's usually no charge to make date changes to mileage tickets once booked. Flights at so-called "inconvenient times" - early morning or overnight departures - may offer more chances to use frequent-flyer miles.

Also, frequent-flyer seats to some popular European destinations are often easier to come by if you can travel midweek: Monday through Thursday. Mileage seats may be available on connecting flights, even if you have to change planes twice. Ask the reservations agent to check these options for you.

Flexibility with your arrival or departure airport can help, as well. For example, if flights to Los Angeles have no frequent-flyer seats, try flying into Burbank or Long Beach. Consider the smaller Oakland airport instead of San Francisco. Also, if Orlando flights are full, check mileage availability to Tampa and Jacksonville.

Most airlines also have mileage "partners." For example, if you have frequent-flyer miles with American Airlines, you can also use them to fly on British Airways, Qantas, and several other major world airlines. So, if your airline doesn't have any mileage seats available, ask the agents to check the airline-partner options.

Be Selective

As a last resort, consider using extra miles to secure the flights you want. Most airlines have award-mileage levels that are double the regular award - i.e., a 25,000-mile coach seat therefore requires 50,000 miles - but these seats aren't capacity-controlled or blocked.

If you don't have quite enough miles to do this, it's now commonplace to transfer miles between accounts or buy what you need to make up the difference. If you have an important business trip or are planning to take that trip of a lifetime, it's probably a good time to splurge and use the extra miles.

The Donation Option

What if you've tried everything and still can't use those hard-earned airline miles? If you're in a charitable mood, consider donating them or giving them as a gift. It's much better than having them expire!

What's been your experience with redeeming frequent-flier miles?