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Can I Fly With Rocket Miles On Government Travel?

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Last updated on 7 min read

No, Rocket Miles can't be used for government-contracted flights—they're strictly for hotel bookings and aren't accepted as payment for airline tickets on government travel.

Do Rocketmiles earn Loyalty points?

Yes, Rocketmiles earnings include both redeemable miles and Loyalty Points

Book a hotel through Rocketmiles, and you'll get American Airlines miles based on the property and dates you choose. The deal gives you two equal values: redeemable miles for future use plus Loyalty Points that count toward elite status tiers. Say you pay $200 for a stay and earn 1,000 redeemable miles—that same stay also credits 1,000 Loyalty Points. This dual system helps you climb toward AAdvantage Gold, Platinum, or Executive Platinum status while still banking rewards for free flights down the road. (Honestly, this is the best way to pad your account while sleeping in a nice hotel.)

Do Rocketmiles points count towards Companion Pass?

Yes, Rocketmiles earnings from Southwest-earning partners count toward the Southwest Companion Pass

If you book through a Rocketmiles partner that issues Southwest Rapid Rewards points, those points can help you reach the Companion Pass requirement. Southwest wants 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points in a calendar year. Focus your hotel stays through Rocketmiles with Southwest-earning partners, and you can stack points fast without ever stepping on a plane. Just double-check the partner program details in your Rocketmiles dashboard before you click “book.”

How long does it take for rocket miles to post?

Rewards usually show up within 2 weeks after checkout; via Booking.com, expect 6–8 weeks

Most Rocketmiles rewards land in your AAdvantage or partner account within 14 days after you check out. Stays booked through Booking.com—often handled by third-party vendors—can drag the process out to 6–8 weeks. Keep an eye on your email for confirmation, then check your account 30 days after checkout. If the points still haven’t arrived after 45 days, file a missing miles claim in the Rocketmiles support portal with your reservation and receipt.

What is a simply miles?

SimplyMiles is a travel rewards program that credits American Airlines AAdvantage miles for everyday spending using a linked Mastercard

SimplyMiles partners with restaurants, retailers, and service providers to award miles on qualifying purchases. No need to dine or shop at specific spots—just link any Mastercard to your AAdvantage account and earn miles automatically on everyday spending. The program is free to join and stacks nicely with other earning methods like flights or credit card spend. It’s a simple way to accelerate your mileage balance without changing your routine.

Where is RocketMiles based?

RocketMiles is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and has a second office in Boston, Massachusetts

Founded in 2012 by Jay Hoffmann, Bjorn Larsen, and Kris Helenek, RocketMiles joined Orbitz Worldwide in 2015 and later became part of Expedia Group. The company specializes in loyalty integration for hotel bookings, giving travelers a smart way to earn airline miles on stays. As of 2025, RocketMiles still operates under Expedia’s brand, serving travelers across the U.S. and internationally.

Do flights booked with points count toward a list?

No, flights purchased entirely with points or miles don't count as qualifying flights toward A-List status

A-List and A-List Preferred status on Southwest hinge on points earned from paid flights. Points from award redemptions or gift transfers don’t count. Only flights paid for with cash—including co-pays or taxes—generate qualifying points. A $100 flight earning 500 points counts, while a 50,000-point award flight earns zero toward status. Hang onto receipts and booking confirmations so you can verify your point accrual later.

Can you transfer southwest points?

Yes, you can transfer Southwest Rapid Rewards points to another member through the Buy, Gift & Transfer portal

Log in to your Southwest account, go to Rapid Rewards > Manage > Buy or Transfer Points. You can transfer points to another member’s account for a fee that changes with promotions. Transfers are capped at 60,000 points per year per account. Make sure the recipient’s account is active and in good standing before you start the transfer. Most transfers process within 24–48 hours, though they can take up to 3 business days in rare cases.

How many points is a Southwest flight?

Points earned per Southwest flight range from 2 to 12 points per dollar of base fare, depending on fare type and spend

Fare TypePoints per DollarExample Earnings on $220 Fare
Business Select®122,640 Points
Anytime102,200 Points
Wanna Get Away+81,760 Points
Wanna Get Away61,320 Points

Base fare is the ticket price before taxes and fees. Points post to your account within 3–5 days of travel and are based on the actual fare you paid. Use the Southwest app to track earnings and plan routes that maximize point value. Elite status can boost your earn rate by 25% or more—so if you’re close to a tier, every flight counts.

How long does it take for simply miles to post?

Award miles from SimplyMiles usually post within 3–5 business days, though some may take up to 15 days

Miles credit once the merchant processes the transaction, and most partners report within 48 hours. Airline systems batch updates daily, so don’t panic if you don’t see them instantly. Check your AAdvantage account under “Activity” to confirm. If miles are still missing after 15 days, reach out to SimplyMiles support with your transaction ID and card details. Sometimes miles appear as “pending” for a few days before they finalize—just give it time.

Do you need a Mastercard for simply miles?

No, any valid Mastercard can be linked to SimplyMiles; no co-branded card is required

You can use personal, business, or even prepaid Mastercards to earn miles. The program supports cards from any issuer—Chase, Citi, Capital One—as long as they’re Mastercard-branded. You don’t need an American Airlines credit card to participate. Just link your card in the SimplyMiles portal and start earning miles on eligible purchases right away. (Pro tip: some high-risk merchants won’t qualify, so don’t expect miles for every swipe.)

How do I unlock my American Airlines account?

Use the “Forgot login ID/password?” link on the sign-in page to reset your credentials via email

Head to the AAdvantage login page and click “Forgot login ID/password?”. Enter the email tied to your account, and you’ll get a secure link to reset your password or retrieve your username. If you’ve lost access to that email, call AAdvantage customer service at 1-800-882-8880 for help. Once you’re back in, use a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication—it’s worth the extra 30 seconds for peace of mind.

What points qualify for a list?

A-List status requires 25 one-way qualifying flights or 35,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year

Qualifying flights are those paid for with cash, including base fare and carrier-imposed fees. Points from award redemptions, gift transfers, and partner bonuses don’t count. You can convert elite qualifying miles (EQMs) into qualifying points at a 1:1 ratio if needed. Track your progress in the Southwest dashboard and aim for flights with higher earn rates to hit status faster. (Every point counts—so plan your travel strategy wisely.)

Does a list automatically check you in?

No, being on the A-List doesn’t automatically check you in; you must still manually check in 24 hours before departure

A-List status reserves your boarding position in Group A 36 hours before departure, but you still need to click “Check In” to get your boarding pass. Check-in opens 24 hours prior via the Southwest app or website. Miss the window, and you might drop to a lower boarding group. Set a reminder or enable push notifications so you never forget—your early boarding perk depends on it.

What are Tier Qualifying Points?

Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) are Southwest Rapid Rewards points that count toward A-List and A-List Preferred status

TQPs include points earned from paid flights, co-pays on award tickets, and some partner activities. They’re separate from redeemable miles and Companion Pass points. Southwest wants 35,000 TQPs for A-List and 70,000 for A-List Preferred each year. Keep an eye on your TQP balance in your account to stay on track. If you’re short, remember you can convert elite qualifying miles (EQMs) to TQPs at a 1:1 ratio.

Edited and fact-checked by the MeridianFacts editorial team.
Tom Bennett
Written by

Tom Bennett is a travel planning writer and former travel agent who has booked everything from weekend road trips to round-the-world itineraries. He lives in San Diego and writes practical travel guides that focus on what you actually need to know, not what looks good on Instagram.

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