Miles seem complicated at first, but the logic is simple, and this guide takes you from zero to your first redemption safely. The core idea: you accumulate points day to day and, at the right time, turn them into miles to book flights — often for a fraction of the cash price.
Points vs miles: what's the difference?
| Points | Miles | |
|---|---|---|
| Where they live | Coalitions and banks (Livelo, Esfera) | Airline programs (Smiles, LATAM Pass, Azul) |
| What they're for | Accumulating daily and transferring | Booking award flights |
| Best moment | Accumulate whenever possible | Use when the cost per thousand is worth it |
You collect points and spend miles. The bridge between them is the transfer bonus — the most important mechanism of the whole strategy.
Where to accumulate in Brazil
The three main sources are credit cards, coalitions like Livelo and Esfera, and subscription clubs.
The step-by-step to your first redemption
- Create an account at the coalition (Livelo or Esfera) and the airline program.
- Concentrate accumulation in one or two sources.
- Wait for a high transfer bonus — never transfer without one.
- Transfer the points and check the credited miles.
- Book, always including the boarding fees in the math.
- Before confirming, compare with the cash price in the Miles Calculator.
When miles are worth it (and when not)
There's a myth that "redeeming with miles is always better". It isn't. Worth it on expensive segments, high-demand dates, international flights and business/first. Not worth it on short, cheap segments. The ruler is always the value per thousand.
Pros and cons
✓ Pros
- Travel for a fraction of the cash price.
- Daily accumulation at no real extra cost.
- Flexibility to pick the destination at the right time.
- Access to better cabins at low cost.
✕ Cons
- Requires patience and planning.
- Miles expire and programs change rules.
- Not every redemption pays off — you must calculate.
- Award seat availability is limited.
Practical example: your first redemption
Value per thousand: (1,200 − 120) ÷ 40 = R$ 27 per thousand — a great deal. And you still have 40,000 miles for a next trip.
Common beginner mistakes
- Transferring points without a bonus — the costliest mistake.
- Letting miles expire.
- Redeeming short, cheap segments.
- Ignoring boarding fees.
- Scattering points across many programs.
Practical tips to speed up
- Turn on Radar Milhas alerts for transfer bonuses.
- Track the Bonus History.
- Check the Program Ranking.
- Look up new terms in the Miles Glossary.