Step 3: Sign-up for Free Loyalty Programs

Points and Miles Beginner’s Guide

This one’s pretty straightforward – sign up for free loyalty programs. Which ones you choose depends on your location and travel habits. I’m based in Chicago, where United and American fly virtually everywhere, so United’s MileagePlus® and American Airlines AAdvantage® loyalty programs were the first two I signed up for.

Loyalty Programs

You can sign up for loyalty programs as you go but remember to sign up before you travel so you don’t miss out on those valuable points or miles.

Note your account numbers and passwords so you can enter them into Award Wallet or another points tracking application.

Click here to sign-up for the top airline, hotel and rental car loyalty programs.