(CNN) --When it comes to travel, many executives know what they like, and stick to what they know.
But analysts say nothing has more influence on business travelers' behavior than frequent flyer programs.
These days, executives will go to great lengths to earn extra miles through the unlimited number of land and air programs and partnerships that now exist.
"There is no question that I have done certain travel itineraries with the intention of getting miles," Steve Belkin, a prolific frequent flyer told CNN.
Belkin is no novice when it comes to flyer miles; currently he has over four million with KLM and more than 200,000 with United Airlines.
"I also earn miles in untraditional ways ... there are promotions, you can get a ton of miles if you even buy a magazine," he adds.
Recently, flyer miles were the deciding factor for mobile phone subscribers on the U.S. West Coast. Travelers refused to sign up until they knew which operator offered the most, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
"Instead of collecting trading cards and other memorabilia some have grown up and now air miles is the adults' collectable," says Randy Petersen, publisher of Inside Flyer magazine.
Roughly 127 million people around the globe belong to at least one flyer program, according to Peterson.
Many hotels, credit cards, car rental and telecommunications companies, to name but a few are already in on the act.
And collecting them has become so popular that a number of community Web sites are dedicated to them, including Frequentflier.com and Flyertalk.com.
With so many benefits on offer, these sites help travelers make the most of the programs, such as free travel, lounge access or upgrades.
"The mistake everyone makes is that they do not do figure out what benefits they want from airlines first, some are more generous with upgrades than others." says Petersen
He believes that frequent flyer programs are the only ways that airlines can now communicate with customers, especially if they are not regular customers.
"By being a member you're often subject to special air fares, you will get more notice of things that the airline are doing," he says.
Tips on frequent flyer programs
Be ruthless in staying with one airline alliance even if that means changing planes and going the long way round the world. It is the only way you will reach platinum status.
When you purchase an airline ticket always use a frequent flier number, present it when you check-in to be sure it's recorded for the flight and send it in by mail if you forget.
If you really cannot travel with your first choice have a second airline in reserve. Eventually you will also have earned decent mileage there as well.
There are thousands of other ways to collect miles other than airlines. Hotels, car rentals, credit cards telephone calling cards even the weekly shopping.
