Earn Airline Miles Without Breaking the Bank

Consequently, the best tip available is to use the card regularly for situations where your employer has to reimburse you. This includes filling up the tank on the way to the airport or buying a client dinner. Paying for your plane tickets (obviously) and your hotel with an airline card works, too.

When you do accrue sufficient airline miles, don't hold on to them. In fact, use them as soon as you can. Here's why. First, airline cards don't earn any interest. Second, airlines are being prickly about keeping flights to a minimum, so seats fill up fast (hence the rush to use the rewards miles).

Another tip. Make sure you bookmark your card carrier's Web site, and sign up for any email alerts or any newsletter it offers. Often you'll find the best deals come from straight from your airline carrier, so you'll want a direct pipeline to the carrier and its best deals.

Above all else, keep your card paid up on time, and your eyes on the prize as to what destinations and trips you'll want to take. Sign up for those trip alerts that carriers and third-party vendors like Orbitz (OWW Quote) or Expedia (EXPE Quote) offer -- and charge as much as you can when your employer is footing the bill.

After that, it's up, up and away.