First, join a couple of airline frequent flyer programs

Loyalty has its rewards. Fly the same one or two airlines often enough and you’ll stack up the miles. Just be sure to choose those carriers that work best for the way YOU travel and then stick with them.

I recommend: Check out airport websites for your primary departure and destination cities---who flies in and out, and how often? Visit the airline websites of the airlines best suited for you and join their frequent flyer programs. Consider a membership in MileageManager for an overview report of your points in each program you’re enrolled in.

Earn even more by tapping into airline “soft dollar” programs

Look into your preferred airlines’ business perks programs specially designed for small-and midsize businesses. Snag free tickets, upgrade certificates, airline club memberships and more. Important note! By enrolling in both a frequent flyer program and a business perks program, you’ll earn point/miles both places.

I recommend: Most airlines offer benefits to business travelers. United Airlines does it through its “PerksPlus” program. Look for Northwest’s BizPerks, Delta’s SkyBonus, American’s Business ExtrAA, Continental’s RewardOne. The discount carriers do it too: check out AirTran’s a2B, Frontier’s Business Travel Program (BTP) and JetBlue’s TrueBlue frequent flyer program.

Use your membership status to get a better seat

There is a definite pecking order when it comes to seat assignments. The more frequent flyer miles you earn each year, the better your chances of getting assigned to a more desirable seat when you fly. An all-knowing computer does the work of putting you in the best available seat, but it never hurts to ask at the gate if something better is available.

I recommend: Know what seats are the best and which ones to avoid---and why. Look for seat information at Seat Expert, Seat Guru, and Love My Seat. Talk it over with other frequent flyers at Flyer Talk. Consider turning your travel management program over to a business travel agency that has sophisticated seat assignment technology. Use the ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) site to narrow down your search for a business travel agent. At the NBTA (National Business Travel Association)’s website, look for business travel agencies among the state-by-state list of Allied Members.

Use your points for something besides airline seats

If you can’t score the free seats you want, consider using some of your points to upgrade your office equipment, purchase other merchandise that will benefit your business or buy a membership in an airport club lounge.

I recommend: Look into swapping miles at Points.com. Consider a credit card that offers a wide selection of merchandise, hotel stays and car rentals for miles. Find the locations of your carriers’ airport clubs.