Can I book a flight for someone else and still earn the miles for myself?

Even if you book a flight for someone else, the frequent flyer miles are typically credited to the traveler's account, not the booker's.

Airlines generally want the miles to go to the person actually taking the flight.

Some airlines do allow you to transfer or share miles with the person you booked the ticket for, but this usually requires the traveler to be a member of the same loyalty program.

Buying miles to book flights for others is an option with many airlines, but the cost per mile is often higher than earning them through regular travel.

Children often need their own frequent flyer accounts to earn miles, even when their parents are booking and paying for their flights.

Airlines want the miles to go to the actual passenger.

While you can use your own airline miles to book flights for others, the process is usually the same as booking for yourself.

The miles will be deducted from your account, not theirs.

Airline loyalty programs have been making it easier in recent years to redeem miles for others, recognizing that many people want to use their miles to book trips for friends and family.

Some airlines have special family pooling or sharing options that allow miles to be combined across multiple family member accounts, making it easier to book flights for relatives.

The ability to earn miles when booking for others can vary widely by airline and even by the type of fare purchased.

Deeply discounted tickets may not earn any miles at all.

Booking flights for unaccompanied minors or passengers requiring special assistance may come with additional fees or restrictions that impact the ability to earn miles.

Travelers should always review the specific policies of their airline's frequent flyer program before booking flights for others to understand how the miles will be credited.

The rise of budget airlines and basic economy fares has made booking flights for others more complicated, as these lower-cost options often exclude the ability to earn miles.

Some credit card rewards programs allow you to transfer points to others, providing another avenue for booking flights and trips for friends and family members.

Airline mergers and alliances can complicate mile-earning when booking across different carriers, so travelers need to be vigilant about program rules.

Frequent flyer programs have become increasingly sophisticated, with options to gifting miles, pooling miles among family members, and other ways to share benefits.

The value of airline miles can fluctuate over time, so the ability to book flights for others using your own miles is an important consideration when redeeming.

Airline websites and apps have made booking flights for others more streamlined, allowing travelers to easily enter passenger details and payment information.

Travel insurance policies may have different rules when the policyholder is not the same as the traveler, so this is an important factor to consider.

Airline loyalty programs are constantly evolving, so staying up-to-date on the latest policies around booking flights and earning miles for others is crucial.

The rise of mobile payments and digital wallets has enabled more flexibility in how travelers can pay for flights booked on behalf of others.

Airline customer service representatives can often provide guidance on the specific rules and processes for booking flights and earning miles for others within a given loyalty program.