3 Easy Ways to Earn Points and Miles Through Referrals

One of my favorite parts of traveling is sharing photos with friends and family who couldn’t tag along for the ride. I’m posting on Facebook or Instagram, sharing the best pictures and videos of my trip. From old friends to my Mom, everyone is always excited to see where I’ve been. But once I get a chance to tell them all about my latest trip, the same question always seems to pop up, “How can I earn enough points and miles to take vacations like that?”

With referral programs from travel rewards credit cards, loyalty programs and even banks, you and your loved ones can begin to rack up points and miles in no time.

Signing up for a travel rewards credit card

Not only are travel rewards credit cards perfect for racking up points and miles on everyday purchases, they also feature some of the best referral programs out there. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card holders can earn 2,500 bonus miles for each friend or family member who signs up and is approved for the card.


The best part? There’s no limit to the number of people you can refer. Just remember to send new cardholders a referral link to ensure the miles are credited to your loyalty account.

For those with the Gold Delta SkyMiles credit card from American Express, many of the same benefits are up for grabs. Cardholders can receive a bonus of 5,000 Membership Rewards points for each approved referral. While the annual referral bonus is capped at 75,000 points, that’s more than enough to plan a weekend getaway or two. From sliding around a ski resort to visiting some of the best theme parks the U.S. has to offer, you can use your points and miles for more than just airfare or a free hotel stay.

Joining a loyalty program

Earning points and miles can be as simple as telling friends and family members which loyalty programs you enjoy most. For example, members of the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club are awarded 2,000 miles when a referral embarks on their first round trip flight in economy. Although an extra 2,000 miles is nice, you may want to spend a few minutes trying to convince your friends to indulge in some of Virgin Atlantic’s more luxurious seating options. The 2,000-mile referral bonus jumps to 5,000 when friends or family members choose premium economy for their first round trip flight. Better yet, earn 10,000 miles from those who ride in first class.

Need an extra incentive to get them to sign on the dotted line? Don’t forget to mention that Flying Club members who you refer also earn up to 3,000 bonus miles after taking their first flight. Taking advantage of these benefits is as easy as logging into your account and sending your referral an email. As soon as he or she becomes a Flying Club member and takes flight, you’ll both receive bonus miles.

Opening a bank account

Saving a few dollars each week is not exactly what I would call exciting, but it’s something most of us need to do in order to visit our top vacation destinations. By opening a BankDirect Mileage Checking with Interest Account or a Mileage Money Market Account, both you and your referral can save money for an upcoming trip while also earning loyalty miles.

As the first internet-based bank to offer customers the benefits of the American Airlines AAdvantage miles program, BankDirect has now made it possible for you to earn up to 1,000 AAdvantage miles for referring a friend or family member who opens a checking or money market account. Not only will you reap the rewards of sharing a potential savings opportunity, but the person who you refer will also earn 1,000 miles of their own.

I enjoy telling my friends and family about ways they can collect points and miles for a dream vacation. And with referral programs from travel rewards credit cards, loyalty programs and online banks, I can earn a few extra points and miles for spreading the word about my top loyalty tips and tricks!