If you’re holding onto Discover miles from your Discover it® Miles card and wondering which airlines accept them, you might be surprised – and relieved – to learn that the answer is…all of them! But before we pop the confetti, let’s explain why and how this works.
The Discover Miles Flexibility Advantage
Unlike traditional airline miles tied to specific carriers, Discover miles aren’t actually transferred to an airline program nor redeemed directly through any airline. Instead, Discover miles are designed to work as a statement credit for any travel-related expense, including flights. This means you don’t have to worry about participating partners, complex transfer rules, or even asking if an airline “accepts” Discover miles – you simply make a travel purchase, and then redeem your Discover miles to cover the cost as a credit.
Here’s how it all plays out:
1. Book Your Flight With Your Discover it® Miles Card:
Use your Discover it® Miles card to book a flight just as you normally would. Whether it’s a major carrier like American Airlines, Delta, United, or smaller ones like Southwest or JetBlue, you’re good to go. Even international airlines? Yup – covered. You’re not limited to booking through special portals or redeeming points with partner restrictions. Just buy your ticket through any method you like, and it qualifies for a credit with Discover miles.
2. Redeem Miles as a Travel Credit
Once the purchase posts to your account, you can go into your Discover account and redeem your miles to “erase” part or all of the flight cost through a statement credit. Since every mile is worth one cent when redeemed for travel, using 25,000 miles, for example, would give you a $250 travel credit. There’s no need to transfer points to an airline, and you don’t need any extra steps to confirm your miles will cover the purchase.
What Makes This Special?
1. Any Airline, Any Time: Since Discover miles are applied as a statement credit on travel expenses, if you can buy a flight, your Discover miles can cover it.
2. No Blackout Dates or Limited Seats: Traditional airline miles often come with restrictions on when and how you can use them. With Discover, you just need to book a flight that’s available and redeem your miles.
3. Simpler Redemption: No need to calculate varying point values, transfer miles, or play guessing games with availability. Just redeem for a credit after your travel purchase posts.
How to Redeem Discover Miles for Flights on Any Airline
1. Log into Your Discover Account
Once you’ve booked your flight with your Discover it® Miles card, log in to your online account.
2. Go to the Rewards Section
Find the option to redeem your miles.
3. Redeem Against Travel Purchases
Choose the flight purchase and redeem your miles for a travel statement credit. Done!
Read how many airlines you need for a flight.
Examples of Airlines You Can Book With
While this isn’t an exhaustive list (because it really can be any airline), here are examples of carriers you can book flights with using Discover miles:
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- JetBlue
- Alaska Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
- International Airlines: Like British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates, Air France, etc.
Wrapping Up
When it comes to using Discover miles for flights, the process couldn’t be simpler – any airline you want, no hoops to jump through. Whether you’re flying domestic with a major carrier, hopping on a budget airline, or traveling internationally, your miles are just as valuable. Book the flight, then redeem for a credit to cover the cost. So, pick your destination, book your flight with your Discover it® Miles card, and enjoy the freedom to travel on your terms. No need to ask, “Which airlines accept Discover miles?” – the answer is always, “All of them!”