It’s easy to get frequent flyer miles today. You can traditionally earn miles as you fly or you can acquire miles in other ways, like buying merchandise and food, buying newspaper and magazine subscriptions, renting cars, signing up for credit cards, and staying at hotels.

Every airline has its own parameters regarding frequent flyer accounts. Check with the airline first if you have questions about your account.

How do you set up a frequent flyer account, and how are miles credited?

Before or when booking a flight, ask the airline agent to enroll you in the frequent flyer program. You’ll receive a membership card and enrollment information in the mail within a few weeks. You must travel on an eligible-fare ticket to receive mileage credit.

To receive credit, you must give your account number to the agent when you make your reservation.

How can I use a travel agent if I’m using frequent flyer miles?

Travel agents don’t book frequent flyer airfare, but they do work closely with travelers on other parts of their trip. For example, you could use frequent flyer miles to travel to Europe, but a travel agent would book the rail portion of the trip.

How do you get mileage credit if you forgot to have your trip credited to your account?

After your trip, contact the airline to request mileage credit.

What happens if you can’t find available award travel dates?

Be flexible and keep trying. Airlines save black-out dates to sell rather than give as frequent flyer awards because they command higher fares. The airline’s agent at the frequent flyer desk will try several dates for you.