Note: This is NOT a sponsored post. Sometimes I like writing about the specific tools and resources that I use. Email me to let me know if you’d like more posts like these!

Last year, I blogged about how I redeemed a Singapore Airlines Suites ticket to Zurich. Since then, I’ve been getting requests to blog about more tips and tactics anyone could use to earn miles and redeem them for free flights.

Let’s start with this basic, open secret: You earn the most miles on the ground, not in the air.

A lot of people believe that to earn lots of miles, they need to be a sexy jetsetter, flying around twice a week in a suit and a TUMI bag, like George Clooney in Up In The Air.

Nooooope. Airline miles are not like one of those “Buy 10 bowls of ramen and get 1 free!” deals you see everywhere. ...