Airport Avenger: Tips and Top Secrets for Airlines, Airfares, Fees, Security and Cancelations

It hasn't always been easy to get the flight you really want with frequent-flier miles. Now that airlines have reduced flights and sometimes use smaller planes to save on fuel and other costs, it's harder than ever.

In addition, credit card companies have been giving thousands of frequent-flier miles to people who sign up for their cards. This has increased competition for the relatively few seats that airlines make available for points on any given flight. Regular fliers now find themselves up against travelers who fly infrequently but happen to have a pocketful of free miles thanks to credit card incentives.

Unless you are very lucky, don’t expect to land the frequent-flier seat you want on a flight that’s just a couple of weeks away. Not only are the chances slim that there are any left, but most airlines will charge you a sizable fee to cash in miles less than three weeks before a flight. So plan ahead. Far ahead.

You can begin looking for a free flight as much as 11 months before you want to fly, when most airlines start taking reservations. Don’t wait longer than two or three months ahead of when you plan to travel. Even then, it can take weeks to find and book a frequent-flier seat. Many airlines have calendars on their web sites showing when awards are available and the mileage levels required.

If you’re not having any luck on an airline’s web site, try their partners on the SkyTeam, oneworld and StarAlliance web sites. You might find available flights there that don’t show up on a particular airline’s own site, and you should be able to use miles from one airline to book a flight on another in the same alliance.

If you don’t find what you want at first, keep checking back. Seats can open up almost any time. Airlines tend to hold back those precious frequent-flier seats on popular flights, because they want to sell as many paid-up seats as possible. Stay flexible. It may not be easy or possible to get exactly the flight you want, but if it’s close, and virtually free, go for it.

All airline seats are not created equal. Obviously first-class and business-class seats are more comfortable and situated nicely in the front of the plane. But there is some variation in economy class seats. You'll have some room to stretch your legs in the exit-row seats. Not so much in the cramped quarters at the back of the plane. We've found that getting one of the best seats on the plane often isn't a matter of luck and extra bucks.

• Hidden seats: Exit-row seats often can't be reserved until 24 hours before the flight. So looking at an online seating chart more than a day before take-off may show those seats as taken. Check back when the 24-hour window opens and they may reappear as available.

• Bulkhead seats are another way to get more room, since no one will be leaning their seat back into your lap. But you may sacrifice some legroom.

• Take a close look at the online seating chart when you're selecting seats. You might want an aisle seat, but you could be sharing your space with folks lined up for the restroom. Or a beverage cart might be parked next to you for a while if you're near the galley. Remember too that many airlines board the back of the plane first, after premium fliers. So those first on in economy may get the best crack at the overhead bins but will be last off.

• Flaunt your elite frequent-flier status. If you're flying economy, tell the gate agent you're a frequent flier and ask if there's anything available in first or business-class. A better seat may be yours for the asking.

• Even if you're not a frequent flier, you can still get an upgrade. The secret? Be nice to the gate agents. They have the power to move people around the plane. For a fee--maybe $50--they might move you up. The airline gets a little more money from a passenger and you get a premium seat for a lot less than the full fare. It's a worthwhile investment for a long flight.

Do you have a lot of frequent-flier miles, but they’re on an airline that doesn’t fly where you want to go? You might be able to swap them for the miles you need. Sites like points.com and LoyaltyMatch.com bring together people looking for miles with folks who have them to exchange. Some trades are even: 25,000 on one airline for 25,000 on another. Others are offered at a premium.

Not all airlines allow miles swaps, but more are seeing the value in it. Airlines charge a fee to transfer miles within their own programs and the swap sites do as well. Consider the fees and the real value of frequent-flier miles before you swap or transfer. In most cases, you get less than 2 cents a mile when you redeem miles. If you pay a penny per mile, plus an additional fee of $50 or more, to transfer or swap miles, the miles will cost you more than cashing them in yourself.

More tips and top secrets about frequent-flier miles:

Come Fly With Me

Hidden Costs

Frequent-Flier Programs