Fly for cheap

Since beginning sponsorship, and getting to know the kids in 5 different countries, I have begun to think about international travel again. I would like to meet the kids that I sponsor one day, but I just didn't know how I was going to do it. It is expensive to travel, especially, if (like I) you plan to take your kids with you. Anyway, my friend Mack has given me hope. I am following her direction of raking up frequent flyer miles. Along with the directions she has given me, I have found other web-sites where you can earn miles. Microsoft has games that you play on live search to earn points and redeem for miles, and even some survey companies offer them as prizes. I wanted to pass on her good info, in case any of the rest of you would like to go somewhere for less. Here is what she wrote:

My friends are always asking me how I can afford to travel so much. I tell them that one of my big "secrets" is saving up Frequent Flyer Miles to trade in for otherwise too expensive flights.
If you want to do this, your first step will be to choose a FF program. I have no knowledge about which program is the best, because, like many people, I automatically signed up for the services of our state's small, local airline – the one I fly with the most often, and the one most likely to offer low fares from my nearest airport hub.
If you are researching different FF programs, my best advice is to look for one with a long list of partner airlines. With my program, for instance, I am able to earn miles by flying on American, Delta, Continental, NWA, British Airways, + more, in addition to my primary airline.
TIPS FOR EARNING FF MILES:

1. The obvious and expected way to earn miles is by flying. This is expensive, so if you aren't planning to do it anyway, I don't recommend it. That said, if you have the ability to travel spontaneously, it's fun to watch for super low airfares that make the trip almost worth it for the mileage you will earn. For example, I once found a flight to Paris for under $300, so I booked it even though I had no need to go to France. Between the FF miles I got, and the opportunity to check out some famous art, I felt the trip was worth the money.

2. Apply for a credit or debit card that will earn you 1 or more miles per dollar spent, then use it to buy EVERYTHING. Just be careful you aren't spending more than you can pay off at the end of each month, or you will risk paying finance charges!

3. If there's an expense you can't pay for with your mileage credit card – say, your mortgage or utility bills – use the card to purchase a money order from a department store (Wal-Mart has the best deal in my area). Your bank will see it only as a charge at the store, and you will collect FF miles for your purchase.

4. Be aware of your airline's various mile-earning programs and use them judiciously. I am able to earn extra FF miles by renting cars, buying groceries, sending flowers, shopping online, eating at restaurants … the list goes on and on. Research and determine how you can get FF miles for STUFF/SERVICES THAT YOU WOULD HAVE PAID FOR ANYWAY. If you are buying things JUST to earn miles, it kind of defeats the purpose of being thrifty.

TIPS FOR REDEEMING FF MILES:

1. Book early! Each flight only offers so many FF seats, so if you want to ensure that you snag one to a particular destination on a particular day, you'll need to plan ahead. Find out how far in advance you are allowed to book (usually about a year) and call on the FIRST DAY that you are permitted to make your reservation.
Some programs will allow you to book your outbound and inbound flights separately, so that you don't miss your opportunity to be the first in line if your return date is well past your departure date.

2. If no FF seats are available to your chosen destination, don't give up! Keep checking back, because new FF slots open up at the whim of the airlines or because other travelers canceled. Also, you can try flying into neighboring cities or countries. Note: The more popular your destination, the better chance of securing a FF seat.

3. Before you trade your FF miles in for a ticket, make sure there are no special airfare offers to your destination. Sometimes it makes more sense to pay for your ticket rather than relinquishing valuable miles.

4. Don't be afraid to change or cancel your FF flight if a better deal comes along. You will probably pay a fee to do this, but it can be worth it!

5. Save FF miles by flying into "cheaper" regions of the world first, then continuing onward from that point. For example, let's say you are sponsoring a child in India. Your FF program requires you to exchange 100,000 miles for a ticket to Calcutta, but only 60,000 to Dhaka, Bangladesh. Fly into the neighboring country and travel overland or grab a cheap flight to India. Note: Cheap fares to all over the world can often be booked from Hong Kong.

6. Take advantage of "Open Jaw" options. Most airlines will allow you to fly into one country and out of another on your FF ticket. With this money saving method, you can fly into Colombia to visit one child, then fly out of Ecuador after visiting another kid!

7. If you are not on an Open Jaw itinerary, you are generally allowed 1 free stop-over at a scheduled connection city. This probably will not help you to visit your child, but you can enjoy a "mini-vacation" along the way at no additional cost.