Do I need to fly the airline or stay at the hotel chain to join a miles or points program?

One question we often see is whether you need to actually fly an airilne or stay at a hotel to become a member of their point programs. The answer is almost always 'no.' Frequent flyer and frequent stay programs are free to join, and when you sign up for the program's credit card you are automatically enrolled. You can also enroll yourself at each airline or hotel's website for free.

It's very easy to earn free flights or hotel nights without ever paying for a flight or stay in the point program's host. While the fastest way to earn miles or points is often by actually flying or staying in a hotel, many people earn valuable awards just through their credit card spending.

For example, with the Starwood Hotels American Express credit card, you can get a free night at many of their hotels with as little as $3,000 in spending. The only catch is you do need to use your points within a year, or they will expire unless you choose to stay in one of their hotels.