One of the best ways to stockpile miles today is to take advantage of buy-miles promotions, which are getting more frequent and more lucrative. The problem is that to take ad-vantage of them, you have to have a mileage account in place with the airline offering the promotion oftentimes. That’s because the promotions often only last for a short period of time, and the best buying promotions usually require a mile-age account that’s at least 10 to 12 days old. So cut them off at the pass and establish accounts now with these airlines, which have been offering the best mileage promotions of late.
Alaska: Mileage Plan account must be 10 business days old before you can buy miles.
Delta: SkyMiles account must be 10 days old and have earned at least one mile since enrollment. (This can be done by a credit card transfer from Amex Rewards or Starwood, or countless other effortless ways.)
US Airways: Dividend Miles account must be 12 days old before you can buy miles.
The most recent 100% bonus mileage purchase promo-tion was offered by US Airways at 1.75¢ per mile for up to 100,000 miles. That’s half the price many other airlines charge. If you’re ambitious, you’ll stock up on miles when they’re cheap and use them when published Business or First Class fares are expensive. $1,750 for 100,000 miles can get one Business Class award ticket to Europe or South America on US Airways and its 24 Star Alliance partners, or two domestic First Class awards, or one Hawaii First Class award. Being prepared can make all the difference.