Travelers often assume that earning airline miles is reserved strictly for flights and traditional hotel stays. However, you can also earn significant rewards when booking short-term rentals through Airbnb. By using specific airline portals, choosing the right credit cards, or purchasing gift cards strategically, you can turn your next vacation rental into a source of miles for your next flight.
Earning miles on Airbnb requires a bit of planning before you click the “book” button. Because Airbnb does not have its own loyalty program, you must rely on third-party partnerships and financial tools to capture these rewards. This article provides a clear, step-by-step guide on the most reliable ways to earn airline miles with your Airbnb bookings.
Direct Airline Partnership Portals
Several major airlines have direct partnerships with Airbnb. To earn miles through these programs, you must start your booking process on the airline’s dedicated landing page rather than going directly to Airbnb.com.
Delta Air Lines
Delta SkyMiles members can earn 1 mile for every $1 spent on qualifying Airbnb stays. To receive these miles, you must visit the deltaairbnb.com website, enter your SkyMiles number, and then click through to the Airbnb site to complete your reservation. The miles are usually deposited into your account within several weeks after you complete your stay.
British Airways
British Airways Executive Club members can earn Avios on their bookings. The standard rate is typically 2 Avios for every $1, £1, or €1 spent. Like the Delta program, you must visit the British Airways shopping portal, search for Airbnb, and use their specific link to track your purchase. This is a popular option for international travelers looking to boost their Avios balance.
Qantas Airways
Qantas Frequent Flyer members can earn 1 point for every $1 AUD spent on Airbnb bookings made through the Qantas website. If you are a first-time Airbnb user booking through Qantas, you may also be eligible for a one-time sign-up bonus of extra points.
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
ANA offers its Mileage Club members the ability to earn miles on Airbnb stays booked through their specific partner page. This is particularly useful for travelers who frequently fly to or within Asia and want to keep their ANA account active.
How to Use a Booking Portal Correctly
Using an airline portal is straightforward, but mistakes can lead to missing miles. Follow these steps to ensure your booking is tracked correctly by the airline.
- Clear your browser cookies: This ensures that the tracking link from the airline is the one that gets recorded.
- Log in to your frequent flyer account: Make sure you have your membership number ready.
- Navigate to the airline’s Airbnb page: Do not go to Airbnb.com first. Always start at the airline’s portal.
- Complete the booking in one session: If you close the window and come back later, the tracking link may expire. You should click the link and finish the payment immediately.
- Keep your confirmation email: If the miles do not show up after your stay, you will need this as proof to file a claim.
Earning Miles via Credit Card Rewards
If your preferred airline does not have a direct partnership with Airbnb, you can still earn miles by using a travel rewards credit card. Most major travel cards categorize Airbnb as a “travel” expense, allowing you to earn bonus points that can later be transferred to various airline partners.
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® and Chase Sapphire Reserve® earn multiple points per dollar spent on travel. Since Airbnb is coded as travel, you earn these points automatically. These points can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to airlines like United, Southwest, and JetBlue.
American Express Membership Rewards
The American Express® Green Card often provides 3x points on travel, including rentals. While the Platinum Card® usually only gives bonus points for flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, the Green Card is a strong choice for Airbnb users. Points can be transferred to Delta, British Airways, and many others.
Capital One Miles
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns a flat 2 miles per dollar on every purchase. This is a simple, effective way to earn “miles” on an Airbnb stay without worrying about specific categories or portals. You can use these miles to “erase” the travel purchase from your statement or transfer them to airline partners.
The Airbnb Gift Card Strategy
Another effective way to earn airline miles is to purchase Airbnb gift cards through mileage-earning platforms. This method is often called “double-dipping” because you earn miles on the purchase of the gift card and then use that gift card to pay for your stay.
United MileagePlus X App
United Airlines has a mobile app called MileagePlus X. You can buy Airbnb gift cards directly through the app and earn several United miles for every dollar spent. You receive the gift card code instantly, which you can then apply to your Airbnb account as a credit.
Shopping Portals and Office Supply Stores
If you have a credit card that earns 5x points at office supply stores or grocery stores, you can buy Airbnb gift cards at those locations. While you aren’t earning miles directly from Airbnb, you are earning a high volume of points that can be converted into airline miles later.
Important Rules and Restrictions
Before you book, there are several limitations to keep in mind. Earning miles on Airbnb is not always guaranteed, and certain conditions must be met.
- Taxes and Fees: Most airline portals only award miles on the base nightly rate. Cleaning fees, service fees, and local taxes are usually excluded from the mileage calculation.
- Cancellations: If you cancel your reservation and receive a refund, any pending miles will be revoked.
- Retroactive Claims: Most airlines do not allow you to claim miles after a booking has already been made. You must use the portal at the time of purchase.
- Currency Conversion: If you are booking in a different currency, the mileage earn rate may fluctuate based on the exchange rate at the time the miles are processed.
Summary of Best Practices
To maximize your earnings, always check if a direct airline portal is offering a “bonus” rate. Airlines occasionally increase their earn rates from 1 mile per dollar to 3 or 5 miles per dollar during holiday promotions. Combining a portal visit with a high-earning travel credit card is the most efficient way to stack rewards.
For example, if you click through the Delta portal and pay with a Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you are earning 1 Delta mile per dollar plus 2 Chase points per dollar. This ensures you are getting the most value out of every vacation rental booking.
Earning airline miles on Airbnb is a simple way to make your travel budget go further. By choosing the right booking method, you can turn your accommodation costs into future flight savings. For more tips on travel rewards and online services, explore our other guides on SearchAndHelp.com to simplify your everyday digital life.