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The Smart Traveler’s Dilemma: Convenience vs. Rewards
Expedia is a go-to platform for booking flights, hotels, and vacation packages, known for its ease of use and competitive pricing. But frequent flyers often pause—worried they might forfeit valuable miles or elite status perks by not booking directly with airlines.
The good news? With a bit of strategy, you can still benefit from Expedia’s simplicity and earn airline miles—though it’s important to be aware of a few key limitations.¹
Here’s your roadmap to making the most of your rewards while booking through Expedia. For assistance or personalized support, call 877-297-0699.
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Yes, You Can Earn Miles on Expedia—But It Depends
Online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia typically allow you to credit miles to your frequent flyer account, but this varies by airline and fare type. On Expedia, you must enter your frequent flyer number during checkout; otherwise, your enrollment won’t count—bookings post-flight may be harder to credit later.⁽⁷⁾
However, not all tickets qualify; airlines impose restrictions on discounted or opaque fares that Expedia sometimes sells.
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How Airline Loyalty Programs Handle Expedia Bookings
Major carriers have varying policies:
Delta, United, Alaska: Most fare classes booked through Expedia still earn miles and elite-qualifying activity.
American Airlines: Has tightened rules—only bookings through American or certain partners count for miles and loyalty credits. OTAs may still be ineligible.⁽¹⁹⁾
Always check each airline’s accrual rules before booking on Expedia.
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Entering Your Frequent Flyer Number During Checkout
During the Expedia checkout process, look for the "Frequent flyer, TSA PreCheck, redress and more" drop-down to enter your number.⁽⁴⁾
Double-check for typos and ensure the number is added before final payment. If omitted, you may be unable to retroactively add your frequent flyer details later.⁽⁷⁾
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Which Fare Classes Are Eligible for Mileage Accrual
Earning miles depends on fare class, not booking platform. Even airfare booked through Expedia must be in an eligible fare bucket. Basic Economy or deeply discounted fares sometimes earn reduced miles—or none at all.⁽¹⁴⁾
Always inspect fare codes and airline terms before confirming your purchase.
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Airlines That Are More Mileage-Friendly with Expedia
Delta, United, and Alaska consistently credit miles for Expedia bookings across most fare classes. Budget airlines or carriers with strict policies—like some ultra-low-cost carriers—may disallow any mileage accrual. Check airline websites or with Expedia support to be sure.⁽⁷⁾
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Situations Where You Might Not Earn Miles at All
These scenarios often disqualify you:
Basic Economy fares
Opaque or deeply discounted fares
Some partner flights with restrictive accrual policies
To avoid disappointment, always verify eligibility before booking.
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Earning Miles with Expedia Rewards vs. Airline Loyalty Programs
Expedia offers OneKeyCash (0.2% back on flights) alongside airline miles.⁽⁶⁾
Yes, you can double-dip—earn Expedia credits plus airline miles—but remember, Expedia’s rewards often offer far less value per dollar than frequent flyer miles.⁽¹⁵⁾
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How to Confirm Your Miles Were Credited After Flying
After your flight, monitor your frequent flyer account. If miles don’t post within the typical timeline (usually a few days to weeks), escalate the issue. Prompt action ensures easier resolution.
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Claiming Missing Miles from Expedia Bookings
To reclaim lost miles:
1. Gather boarding pass and ticket receipt
2. Use the airline’s missing miles web form, providing ticket number and flight details
3. Request within the airline’s posting window (often 6 months).⁽²⁾
This path usually restores missing credit—just be prompt and thorough.
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Should You Book Direct for Better Mileage Earning?
Booking directly with the airline often means:
Higher chances of full mileage accrual
Access to elite perks, upgrades, and baggage waivers
Easier handling of changes and irregular operations
However, Expedia may offer lower sticker prices or package discounts. If mileage matters most, direct booking is typically safer.
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Using Travel Credit Cards to Maximize Rewards
If miles aren’t guaranteed, maximize credit card bonuses instead:
Cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve offer strong return rates on travel booked through OTAs
Airline-co-branded cards still earn rewards—even if airline miles are excluded
This ensures you earn something valuable—even when airlines withhold miles.
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How Business Travelers Can Still Earn Big with Expedia
Frequent business travelers can still benefit:
Use Expedia for Business, linking OTA bookings to corporate loyalty programs
Combine airline elite benefits with third-party pricing
Ensure traveler profile info, including frequent flyer numbers, is integrated
This retained oversight lets companies optimize both value and rewards.
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Tips for Maximizing Both Convenience and Miles
Check accrual rules before booking (fare class, airline policy)
Enter your frequent flyer number and confirm it's saved
Consider paying with the best-rewarding credit card, not always the co-branded airline option
Use fare alerts alongside OTA deals for the best prices
