You don’t have to fly to earn miles anymore. Credit cards are now an alternative way to build mileage while you shop. As you choose your frequent flyer program, you’ll likely want to consider the affiliated credit card for that carrier. After all, why not earn miles while you shop? Before signing on to any card, though, some important considerations are the APR and annual fees. Many airline affiliated credit cards will charge anywhere from $25-125 in annual fees and the interest rate will be significantly higher than a normal credit card. However, if you pay your card off in full each month and use it often enough to accrue a significant amount of miles (typically you’ll be offered one mile for every dollar charged), then this may be a viable source of mileage.

Another way to build out miles is with a card such as American Express or Diner’s Club that awards points for each purchase. These points can then be converted to miles for participating airlines. You might get better interest rates and your annual fee may be less, but you also may have to pay your balance in full each month. The points you earn will not count dollar for dollar as they do for airline affiliated credit cards, but they do offer more flexibility among airlines, so if you do have multiple frequent flyer accounts you can distribute them accordingly.

Very frequent flyers will enjoy the benefits of an elite status within the club, giving them greater access to upgrades and more recognition from the airline. To gain elite status, a traveler must typically fly at least 25,000 miles, or 30 flight segments, within a calendar year. To gain a free flight, infrequent leisure travelers will need to build 20,000-25,000 miles over a period of time (most carriers will not expire the miles as long as there is activity on the account every couple of years).

The biggest way to build miles is to fly frequently and with one carrier or the carrier’s partners as often as possible. Know your partners carriers and always provide your frequent flyer number when booking your flights. Make sure to read your statements carefully and compare your mileage figures with the airline’s figures (it’s not often, but airlines can drop the ball). Read your program’s newsletter, and always watch the “bonus box” for additional ways to earn miles.

Airline	Free U.S. Flights	Elite Status	Expirations
Alaska Airlines	Restricted: 20,000 Unrestricted: 40,000	MVP: 20,000/year MVP Gold: 40,000/year	No expiration as long as the account remains active for 3 years.
American Airlines	Restricted: 25,000 Unrestricted: 40,000	Gold: 25,000/year Platinum: 50,000/year Executive Platinum: 100,000/year	No expiration as long as there is account activity at least once every 36 months.
Continental	Restricted: 20,000 Unrestricted: 40,000	Silver: 25,000/year Gold: 50,000/year Platinum: 75,000/year	No expiration as long as there is activity every 18 months.
Delta	Restricted: 25,000 Unrestricted: 50,000	Silver: 25,000/year Gold: 50,000/year Platinum:100,000/year	No expiration as long as there is activity every 36 months.
Northwest	Restricted: 20,000 Unrestricted: 40,000	Silver: 25,000/year Gold: 50,000/year Platinum:75,000/year	No expiration as long as there is activity every 3 years.
Southwest	16 flight credits	100 flight segments/year	Expires 12 months from the date earned.
United	Restricted: 25,000 Unrestricted: 40,000	Premier: 25,000/year Executive: 50,000/year Premier Executive: 100,000/year	No expiration as long as there is activity every 36 months.
US Airways	Restricted: 25,000 Unrestricted: 50,000	Silver: 25,000/year Gold: 50,000/year Chairman’s:100,000/year	No expiration as long as there is activity every 36 months.