Ever wondered how airlines tally up those precious miles you earn while flying around? It is not as complicated as you might think! You only have to understand the calculation system that your airline follows. Let’s break it down in a way that won’t leave you scratching your head, and you can make the most of the earned miles. 

The Basics: It’s Not Always About Actual Miles

Things started out very simple in the beginning. Earlier, when you used to fly with any airline, you earned miles equivalent to the miles of the flight taken. Now, it has changed. Almost every US-based airline has switched to revenue-based mileage programs. This implies that every passenger now earns a mile on the basis of how much they have spent on the flight. 

That way, you get to know that, despite the name, “airline miles” often have little to do with the actual miles you fly. We know, mind-blowing, right? Even if the airlines credit points based on the miles you fly, there’s going to be an application of earning rate.

But don’t worry! We’ll explain each and every method and help you find the right answer to the – How To Calculate Your Miles Flown On An Airline?

Calculating Miles Using Method 1: The Old School Way (Distance-based)

As mentioned earlier, some airlines still use the traditional method. To calculate, simply look up the distance between your flight origin and the arrival airport. Multiply that by the fare class multiplier (usually 1x for economy class, more for business or first class). After that, you can check your earned miles. For instance, if you are flying from New York to Los Angeles (about 2,475 miles) in the economy, you would earn roughly  2,475 miles in your loyalty program account. 

Calculating Miles Using Method 2: The New Way (Spend-based)

Major airlines now use the new method, which is based on the amount you spend on purchasing a flight ticket. Take the base fare of your ticket (before taxes and fees). Multiply it by the earning rate (usually 5-11 miles per dollar, depending on your loyalty status). So, if your fare was $300 and you earned 5 miles per dollar, you would get 1,500 miles.

Quick Tips: Always check the airline’s specific policies, as they can vary widely. Don’t forget bonuses for elite status or credit card use. Some budget airlines might give you points instead of miles. Same idea, different name.

The Easy Way Out For Calculating Airline Miles

If all this math is making your head hurt, fear not! Most airlines have a mileage calculator on their websites. Just plug in your flight details, and they’ll do the number crunching for you. Make sure to fill in the right details, as the result will be based on the data provided by you. So, instead of doing all the math by yourself, head directly to your airline website and search for a mileage calculator. This will make the procedure a lot easier for you. 

A Quick Recap!

If you put your mind to it, you’ll figure out that calculating your miles on a flight with an airline is not a big  deal. For major United States airlines, the main element is the cash price you’re paying (excluding taxes and fees) to get the ticket. Some airlines change the rate of earning miles depending on the selected fare. However, most every airline provides bonus miles to members of elite status (from 25% in Southwest to 125% Alaska Airlines). Fortunately, you don’t always have to manually calculate all of this; the airline page shows the exact miles and points you need to book the flight. 

Answers To Common Questions