Most airlines are having frequent flyer or loyalty programs, which benefit both airline and customer. To gain full benefit, use the accumulated miles strategically.
When Tickets are Expensive?
Some of destinations are short on distance but with expensive air tickets for that consider using miles.
For Peak Time Travel
Peak travel seasons are summer and fall and at that time fares go up, sometimes they go almost double than winter fares. In such situation use those miles and book as far in advance as you can.
For Family Vacations
As multiple tickets will add up, use miles for the flight and then fly to your destination.
Keep Checking Your Miles to Know When They will expire
Use the flyer miles for purchase lounge access at airports, hotels stays and goods from partner merchants. Keep checking your account so that you can know when they will be expire.
Cautions and Tips
Check the price of flights and look for sales and cheaper routes to your destination. Buying and transferring of miles can be expensive so while purchasing miles try to buy the required number of miles for which you can have a free ticket. Award tickets like revenue tickets come in full fare and discounted versions. To get the saver award book in advance that can use half the number of miles as a standard award ticket.