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[appleaddict]

I am embarrassed to say that, even though I flew at least 12 times last year, I have no ideal how frequent flyer miles work. How much do you have to fly to accumulate them? Do you always have to fly the same carrier? Do you have to do it through a credit card (like Amex)?

So? How do you sign up? TIA!

[prytania3]

Each airline has a frequent flyer application. Some airlines exercise reciprocity with other carriers; some don't. Once you fill out the application, you'll receive a card and a frequent flyer number. Whenever you make a reservation, make sure to include the freq. flyer #. You'll receive information that tells how many miles you need for various destinations.

You can also call the airline and apply by phone.

[tamiam]

You can do all that stuff on-line, even if you don't plan to fly with an airline. They issue you a temporary "card" with your frequent flyer number on it, and then send you a real plastic card when you actually fly with them and accrue mileage. You have to tell them your FF number at some point (either when making the reservations or when getting your boarding passes, or even up to several months after the trip!) in order for the mileage to be credited to your account.

An example:

I went to Africa this summer. I received a credit of 21,000 miles to my airline account. If I accrue 90,000 miles with this carrier, I can use them to book a free trip to that location. Alternatively, I can use the mileage for a first-class upgrade for the next flight...

...hmm. I'll have to look into that one...

[magimax]

Do a little bit of research before picking frequent flier plans.  For example, do only two airlines service your home city (the case in my prior city)?  What airline do you think you'll do the most business with? 

I'll share a tip that has paid off very handsomly in the past for me:  Get a frequent flier account with Alaskan Airlines.  They partner with almost all US domestic airlines and several international ones.  I have racked up enough miles for roundtrip tickets to Europe by flying on Continental, Northwest and American, but having all the miles go to their partner, Alaskan.  My other frequent flier account is with United, who partners with Delta and US Express as well as multiple international airlines.  Between the two, I am covered no matter what airline I fly, as long as it is a major one. 

Having a credit card linked to the frequent flier account also helps to rack up miles quickly. 

[menotti]

Sometimes you can retroactively add FF miles to your account.  So if you had a recent trip, you might be able to sign up and call in and say "can you add that to my account?"

And it doesn't cost anything to be in a FF mile program, though some do expire after awhile.  No harm in signing up with any airline you fly on - check the partnering first, though, so you can group as many miles as possible.

It's fairly standard for 25,000 miles to be a free domestic ticket, though not much choice in times or dates.  50,000 for a more flexible ticket.

[icurhere2]

The comment about consolidating on specific airlines is an excellent one; I only use a few frequent flyer accounts, taking advantage of the three main alliances (Star Alliance, SkyTeam, and OneWorld):

American - OneWorld, includes B.A. Separate partnership with Alaska.  I do carry an American Airlines credit card as well.

Northwest - SkyTeam, including Alitalia, Continental and Delta.  Separate partnership with Midwest.

United - Star Alliance, including USAirways and Lufthansa.

Southwest - I earn most of my airline trips / credits through rental cars, as they have been mailing codes to earn 1/8th of a round-trip ticket per car rental.

Once you have the account(s) you want, then you can think about hotel nights, rental cars, and other purchases that can earn you miles.