Do You Earn Miles on Partner and Codeshare Flights?
This guide explains how partner and codeshare earning works and how to maximize it.
How partner earning works
Airlines belong to alliances and partnerships, and when you fly one airline, you can usually choose to credit the miles to a partner airline’s frequent flyer program instead of the operating carrier’s. You enter that program’s number when booking or at check-in. This means the airline you fly and the program you earn in do not have to match.
Why the program you choose matters
Because each program has its own earning chart, the same flight can earn different amounts depending on where you credit it. Sometimes a partner program awards more miles for your fare than the airline you are actually flying, so choosing the most generous program can noticeably increase your haul, a favorite tactic of frequent flyers. The best program to credit varies by route and fare, so it is worth checking.
The fare-class catch
Earning is tied to your fare class, and codeshares add a wrinkle: what matters is the operating carrier and the fare booking class, not just whose flight number is on the ticket. Deeply discounted economy fares, and basic economy, can earn few miles or none in some partner programs. So check both the fare class and the crediting program before you fly to make sure the flight earns what you expect.
Stop guessing at point values. Look up the real award price and live availability for a specific trip before you transfer.
Search award flights on seats.aero →- You can often credit a flight to a partner program.
- Partners are usually within the same alliance.
- A partner program sometimes awards more miles.
- Earning depends on fare class and the program’s chart.
- Deeply discounted fares can earn little or nothing.
Frequently asked questions
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