Do you get points for booking a flight for someone else?

Booking a Flight for Someone Else: Can You Still Reap Rewards?

Planning a trip for a loved one, a friend, or even a colleague? You might be wondering if all that effort translates into something tangible for you, besides the satisfaction of helping someone else. The short answer is: while the actual flight miles go to the person in the airplane seat, there are absolutely ways to benefit from being the booking agent.

The common misconception is that because you aren’t the passenger, you’re missing out on potential airline rewards. This isn’t entirely true. The key is understanding where those points typically accrue and how you can strategically leverage existing programs.

The Flyer Gets the Mileage, Not the Funder:

Let’s get this straight upfront: airline miles are almost always awarded to the individual actually flying. Airlines want to incentivize travel, so the person physically traveling and experiencing the journey is the one who receives the flight miles and elite qualifying credits. They’ll need to provide their frequent flyer number at the time of booking (or check-in) to ensure they get credited.

However, Here’s Where You Can Win:

Even though you can’t claim the flight miles, you can still significantly boost your own rewards balance by focusing on these strategies:

• Leverage Credit Card Travel Perks: This is perhaps the most impactful method. Many credit cards offer travel rewards programs, earning you points, miles, or cashback on all purchases, including airline tickets. By using a travel rewards credit card to book the flight, you accumulate the points associated with that purchase. Look for cards with bonus categories for travel or airlines to maximize your earnings. Think of it as getting rewarded for your helpfulness!

• Utilize Airline Shopping Portals: Before booking the flight, visit the airline’s shopping portal. These portals offer bonus miles or cashback for purchases made through their links. Many popular travel sites and even everyday retailers participate. You simply click through the portal, find the airline or travel site you need, and complete the booking process. The miles earned are based on the amount you spend, regardless of who’s flying.

• Consider Hotel Bookings and Car Rentals: While booking the flight, consider bundling it with hotel stays and car rentals. Often, travel portals or credit card companies offer bonus points for these bundled bookings. Again, these points accrue to you as the purchaser, even if someone else is enjoying the amenities.

• Check for Booking Fees and Commissions: While not a primary source of rewards, some travel agents or booking platforms might offer a small commission or reward program of their own. These are typically less lucrative than the credit card and shopping portal strategies, but worth checking out depending on the platform you’re using.

Important Considerations:

• Always confirm the flyer’s frequent flyer number is correctly entered at the time of booking or check-in. This ensures they receive their deserved flight miles.
• Be mindful of foreign transaction fees if booking flights in a foreign currency. Choose a credit card without these fees to avoid unnecessary charges.
• Compare prices across different platforms. While earning rewards is great, make sure you’re still getting the best possible price on the flight.

The Bottom Line:

Booking a flight for someone else doesn’t have to be a completely selfless act. By strategically leveraging credit card rewards programs, airline shopping portals, and other related travel perks, you can successfully accumulate your own rewards balance while helping someone else reach their destination. It’s a win-win situation! So, go ahead and book that flight – you might be surprised at the rewards you reap.