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Where to Book Flights and Hotels Most Profitably: A Practical Guide to Maximizing Miles (Especially in Asia)

  • travel

1. Where to book airline tickets to earn the most miles
The best way — book directly through the airline.

  • When you book a ticket on the Singapore Airlines, ANA, Thai Airways, or Cathay Pacific websites, you are guaranteed to receive all the miles you’re entitled to for that fare class.
  • If you book through aggregators (Skyscanner, Kiwi, Expedia), miles are usually awarded, but sometimes fewer (due to cheaper fare classes).
  • Some OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) sell tickets that don’t earn miles at all (special promo fares).

Conclusion:

  • Always check how many miles a specific fare class earns.
  • If you want miles plus reliable support → book directly or through a trusted agency.
  • If the fare is the same — book directly with the airline.

2. Where to book hotels to also earn miles
Option 1: Through the airline loyalty program’s hotel portal

  • KrisFlyer Hotels, Asia Miles Hotels, Miles & More Hotels — these platforms let you book the same hotels but earn miles for every night stayed.
  • Often better than earning nothing.
  • Examples: KrisFlyer Hotels, Asia Miles iGo Rewards

Option 2: Through major hotel chains

  • If you stay at big chains (Marriott, Hilton, IHG), book directly on the hotel’s website.
  • Why? You earn hotel loyalty points (e.g., Marriott Bonvoy) which you can often convert to miles — almost all major chains allow this.
    Example:
  • 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points can be converted into 25,000 KrisFlyer or Asia Miles.

Option 3: Compare with Booking.com or Agoda

  • If you don’t have loyalty to a specific chain, you can check Booking.com or Agoda — but it’s better to use “partner links” from airlines.
  • For example:
    • Qatar Airways partners with Booking — you earn Avios for each booking.
    • Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) also has its own hotel portal.

Final life hack
– Check two prices: direct + via partner program → choose the better deal.
– For big hotel chains (Marriott, Hilton) — always book direct!
– Don’t use Booking for chain hotels if you want hotel loyalty points — they won’t be credited if booked through a third party.

Summary — How to book correctly:

What You BookWhere to BookWhy
Airline ticketsDirectly with the airlineMaximum miles and support
Hotels (big chains)Direct on hotel websiteEarn hotel points + convert to miles
Hotels (independent)Airline loyalty portalEarn miles directly
OthersPartner links (Booking, Agoda via airlines)Small bonuses