How to Use Airline Miles to Travel to the United States

Traveling to the United States can be expensive, especially when purchasing international airfare. However, airline miles make it possible to reduce your travel costs significantly, or even fly for free. Whether you’re departing from São Paulo, Lisbon, Madrid, or Frankfurt, miles can unlock premium seats, last-minute tickets, or even luxury upgrades.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how to use airline miles effectively for trips to the U.S., including how many miles you need, how to find the best redemption options, and how to avoid high taxes and fees. We’ll cover tips specific to travelers from Brazil and Europe, and help you understand the best programs to join.

What Are Airline Miles?

Airline miles, also called frequent flyer points, are rewards you collect through airline loyalty programs. You earn them by flying, using a travel credit card, shopping through partner stores, or joining subscription-based mileage clubs. These miles can then be redeemed for airline tickets, seat upgrades, hotel bookings, and more.

When used strategically, miles can offer outstanding value — especially for international flights to high-demand destinations like New York, Los Angeles, Miami, or Orlando.

Which Airlines Offer the Best Options to the U.S.?

Travelers from Brazil and Europe have access to multiple airlines that offer direct or connecting flights to the United States. Here are some of the most commonly used carriers and their mileage programs:

From Brazil

• LATAM Airlines – Program: Latam Pass
• GOL Linhas Aéreas – Program: Smiles
• Azul Linhas Aéreas – Program: TudoAzul
• American Airlines – Program: AAdvantage (often partnered with LATAM flights)

From Europe

• TAP Air Portugal – Program: Miles&Go
• Air France / KLM – Program: Flying Blue
• British Airways / Iberia – Program: Avios
• Lufthansa / Swiss / Austrian – Program: Miles & More
• United Airlines – Program: MileagePlus (often flies with Star Alliance partners)

Knowing which airlines fly from your city to the U.S. helps you choose the right frequent flyer program to start earning and redeeming miles.

How Many Miles Do You Need to Fly to the U.S.?

The number of miles needed depends on several factors, including the airline, route, cabin class, season, and availability. Below are some examples of typical one-way award ticket costs to major U.S. cities from Brazil and Europe.

From Brazil

• São Paulo (GRU) to Miami (MIA): 35,000 to 60,000 miles (economy)
• Rio de Janeiro (GIG) to Orlando (MCO): 40,000 to 65,000 miles
• Business class can range from 85,000 to 120,000 miles

From Europe

• Lisbon (LIS) to New York (JFK): 20,000 to 50,000 miles (economy) with TAP or Flying Blue
• Madrid (MAD) to Miami (MIA): 25,000 to 55,000 miles (economy) using Avios
• Paris (CDG) to Los Angeles (LAX): 35,000 to 60,000 miles (economy) with Flying Blue

These are base mile costs and do not include taxes and fees, which vary by airline.

Best Mileage Programs for Flights to the U.S.

Different mileage programs offer different values. Some charge more miles but have lower fees. Others require fewer miles but add high fuel surcharges. Here’s a comparison of some of the most practical programs:

Latam Pass

• Great for flights from Brazil
• Partners with Delta and other OneWorld airlines
• Often offers promotions and discounted mileage redemptions

TAP Miles&Go

• Good availability for flights from Portugal and Brazil
• Offers promotional mileage sales and transfer bonuses
• Low to moderate taxes and fees

Flying Blue (Air France/KLM)

• Dynamic pricing: sometimes very low, sometimes expensive
• Excellent for European travelers with flights to many U.S. cities
• Monthly Promo Rewards with discounted flights

Smiles (GOL)

• Wide availability for flights from Brazil to the U.S. with Delta
• Many bonus transfer promotions from Brazilian credit cards
• Offers flexibility with “Smiles + Money” options

AAdvantage (American Airlines)

• Useful for both Brazil and Europe thanks to partner flights
• No fuel surcharges on most awards
• High availability from major hubs like Miami, Dallas, and New York

Step-by-Step: How to Book a Ticket to the U.S. Using Miles

Step 1: Check Your Balance

Log into your frequent flyer account and verify how many miles you have available. Some programs let you combine miles from different partners.

Step 2: Search Award Availability

Use the airline’s website or a tool like AwardHacker to search for award flights. Try to be flexible with dates and airports for better availability.

Step 3: Compare Taxes and Fees

A flight that costs fewer miles may have higher surcharges. Always check the final price before confirming your redemption.

Step 4: Redeem the Miles

Book the ticket directly through the airline’s site or call customer service for complex itineraries. Ensure your personal and passport details are accurate.

Step 5: Confirm and Prepare for Travel

Once booked, you will receive your itinerary. Depending on the airline, you may be able to upgrade using more miles later.

Tips to Save Miles and Improve Your Booking

• Book in advance: Award seats are limited and sell out quickly
• Be flexible: Consider alternative airports or travel midweek
• Travel off-peak: Avoid holidays and high seasons (July, December)
• Use mileage calculators to find the best value routes
• Take advantage of mileage promotions, transfer bonuses, or elite member discounts

Avoiding High Fees on Award Tickets

Some European airlines charge heavy fuel surcharges (up to $300 USD), which can make a “free” ticket costly. To reduce this:

• Use programs like AAdvantage or MileagePlus that avoid surcharges
• Book through partners rather than the original airline (e.g., book Air France flights through Delta)
• Depart from countries with lower taxes, like Portugal or Spain

Real Example: Flying from São Paulo to New York

• Airline: Latam Airlines
• Program: Latam Pass
• Class: Economy
• Miles required: 42,000 miles
• Taxes: R$250 (~$50 USD)
• Notes: Booking 3 months in advance yields better seat selection

Real Example: Flying from Madrid to Miami

• Airline: Iberia
• Program: Avios (via British Airways or Iberia Plus)
• Class: Economy
• Miles required: 34,000 Avios
• Taxes: €110 (~$120 USD)
• Notes: Best booked via Iberia’s website for lower fees

Conclusion: Fly to the U.S. for Less Using Miles

Traveling to the United States doesn’t have to break your budget. By strategically earning and redeeming airline miles, you can significantly reduce your costs—or eliminate them altogether.

Focus on the right programs based on your region, take advantage of bonuses and promotions, and always compare the total value of the redemption, not just the miles. Whether you’re flying to explore Times Square, visit Disney, or close business deals, your miles can get you there for a fraction of the cost.

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