How to Fly for (Nearly) Free With Travel Rewards

As a frequent traveler, I often use airline frequent flyer programs and credit card rewards to book low-cost or free flights both in the U.S. and internationally, and you can, too.

I like the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card for its value and flexible rewards. But if you prefer a card with a $0 annual fee, I recommend the Wells Fargo Autograph^® Card.

Here's how you can use these or other credit cards along with airline programs to fly almost for free.

How to fly for free (or cheap) with travel rewards

Learning how to fly for free is simple. Once you gain baseline knowledge, you'll be on your way to traveling more and spending less.

Here are seven steps you can take to get there.

Sign up for airline frequent flyer programs

Any time you book a flight with a new airline, I recommend signing up for its frequent flyer program. These free loyalty rewards programs let you accumulate points every time you book a flight using your frequent flyer number.

The process is simple:

• Enter your frequent flyer number when booking flights directly with the airline or through a third-party platform.
• Earn points or miles for your journey.
• Once you have enough points, use them to book an award flight.

Although it's tempting to sign up with every airline you come across, I recommend focusing on those you frequently use or have used in the past. For example, I usually fly with Delta, American Airlines, or British Airways, so I have frequent flyer accounts with each. I keep my account information in my password manager so I can easily access it when needed.

Frequent flyer programs often feature exclusive elite status tiers. These tiers unlock a wealth of additional benefits when you travel. The specific perks you receive can vary based on the program and the level of elite status you achieve. These perks may include:

Sign up for a travel credit card

I always advise people to have at least one travel credit card in their wallet. Many of the best travel credit cards let you earn points or miles on your travel and everyday spending. Depending on the card, you could use your rewards to book flights directly through the card issuer's travel platform or transfer them to an airline's frequent flyer program and book flights from there.

There are several factors to consider when you're choosing the best travel credit cards for your needs:

• Welcome offer: Many travel credit cards offer lucrative welcome bonuses, potentially worth hundreds of dollars when used for travel. However, you typically need to spend a specified amount within a specific period to earn the bonus. If you won't spend that amount, the offer isn't worth it.
• Rewards rate: Flat-rate programs give you the same rewards rate on every purchase. Tiered rewards programs let you earn bonus rewards in certain spending categories. Think about where you spend money and choose a card that lets you maximize your points earnings.

• Redemption flexibility: General travel credit cards typically allow you to redeem your rewards for different types of travel. Some, however, will also give you the option to transfer your points or miles to select airline or hotel loyalty programs. Choose a card that lets you redeem points the way you prefer.

In addition to these factors, consider the card's annual fee and the extra travel perks and benefits it offers. This may include travel insurance or protection, annual travel credits, access to airport lounges, application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, and more.

Get an airline's co-branded credit card

If you're loyal to a certain airline, I recommend getting a co-branded airline credit card. This type of card lets you earn points or miles with a specific airline while offering perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding, lounge access, and in-flight food and beverage discounts.

These are some of my favorite airline credit cards:

Airline	Credit card	Welcome offer	Annual fee
American Airlines	Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® 4.3 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening	$99 (waived first year)
Delta Air Lines	Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card 4.6 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Earn as high as 80,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and find out your offer)	$0 intro annual fee for the first year, $150 per year thereafter
JetBlue Airways	JetBlue Plus Card 4.7 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Earn 70,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases (and paying the annual fee) in the first 90 days	$99
Southwest Airlines	Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card 4.8 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening	$229
United Airlines	United Quest℠ Card 4.8 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 3,000 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open (plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after you add an authorized user to your account in the first 3 months your account is open)	$350

The main drawback of airline credit cards is that they typically don't offer the same flexibility as general travel credit cards. For example, you might get priority boarding, a free checked bag for you and others on your reservation, or discounts on in-flight purchases.

What we don't like about airline credit cards is that they typically don't offer the same flexibility that general travel credit cards offer. While some frequent flyer programs allow you to use points or miles to pay for hotels, rental cars, and other travel-related costs, those redemptions generally aren't as valuable as using rewards for flights.

Join dining programs

Airline dining programs like American Airlines' AAdvantage Dining or Delta's SkyMiles Dining let you earn miles when you dine at participating restaurants. Even if you only eat out occasionally, I recommend signing up for these programs to maximize your rewards.

Here's how they work:

• Sign up for a dining program: Most major airlines have dining programs, including American Airlines, Southwest, and United. Sign up for free on the airline's website.
• Link your credit card: After signing up, link your card to the dining program. You'll earn miles when you use this card to pay at participating restaurants, in addition to your credit card rewards.
• Dine and earn: Earn points every time you dine at a participating restaurant. The number of miles you earn per dollar spent varies by program, but it's typically between 1 and 5 miles.
• Redeem your miles: Once you've earned enough miles, redeem them for award flights through the airline's frequent flyer program. Some programs also allow you to use miles for hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel expenses.

Leverage shopping portals

I also like to use airline shopping portals to earn extra points or miles when I shop through them. Most major airlines and credit cards offer shopping portals that let you earn rewards on purchases you were already planning to make.

Here's how to use shopping portals to your advantage:

• Find a shopping portal: Most major airlines and some credit card issuers offer them. These include the Ultimate Rewards Shop through Chase, American Airlines AAdvantage eShopping, and Delta's SkyMiles Shopping.
• Start shopping: Once you're logged in, browse the portal's selection of online retailers. When you find a retailer you like, click on their link from the portal. The portal will forward you to the retailer's website, where you can shop as you normally would.
• Earn points or miles: Each retailer offers a certain number of points or miles per dollar spent. You can typically find this next to the retailer's name on the portal. These rewards are typically in addition to any points or miles you earn from your credit card.
• Redeem your rewards: After you've accumulated enough points or miles, redeem them for award flights through the airline's frequent flyer program or the credit card issuer's rewards program.

Learn more about how many points you need for a free flight.

Maximize the value of your travel redemptions

Once you've earned enough rewards to qualify for an award flight, review the available redemption options.

Some general travel cards let you redeem your points as statement credits when you use your card to pay for the flight. Others let you book the flight directly with your rewards through your credit card's online account.

You may also be able to transfer your points or miles to a frequent flyer program. If this option is available, you can request the transfer through your online credit card rewards account and then book the flight through the airline's program.

If you have the option to transfer your points or miles to a frequent flyer program, you can request the transfer through your online credit card rewards account and then book the flight through the airline's program.

If you have an airline co-branded credit card, such as United℠ Explorer Card, all the points or miles you earn go into your frequent flyer account, so you'll just book directly with the airline. Some airline rewards programs allow you to combine rewards and cash payments, driving down the out-of-pocket cost of the ticket.

Learn how to maximize your redemptions using these tips for scoring cheap flights.

Look for other travel benefits from credit card issuers

On top of the rewards you earn, many travel and airline credit cards offer useful benefits and perks that can lower flight costs and improve your overall travel experience.

Some of the benefits you can enjoy include:

• Airport lounge access: Certain premium travel credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, offer complimentary access to airport lounges. These lounges offer a quiet and comfortable space to relax, work, or eat before your flight.
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit: Some credit cards, including the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, offer a statement credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee, which can help you get through airport security more quickly.
• Annual travel credits: Some premium travel credit cards, such as the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, offer annual travel credits that can offset certain travel-related purchases.
• Travel insurance: Some credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card, offer travel insurance benefits, such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, and travel accident insurance. These benefits can offer valuable protection and peace of mind while traveling.
• Companion passes: Certain credit cards, such as the Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Plus Credit Card, can help you earn companion passes, which allow you to bring a companion on your flight for free or at a significantly reduced cost.
• Free checked luggage: Some airline credit cards, such as the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature^®, offer a free checked bag benefit. This can help you avoid baggage fees, especially if you frequently travel with checked luggage.

FAQs

Bottom line

If you want to travel for almost free, I recommend signing up for airline frequent flyer programs and applying for a travel credit card. These are two of the simplest methods to earn award flights and reduce the cost of your travel.

You can also boost your knowledge and experience by joining our award travel community as well. As you use credit card rewards to get free flights, make sure you pay off your credit card in full each month. Interest charges can decrease the value you can get from points or miles — or even neutralize it entirely.

Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards

Bank of America^® Travel Rewards credit card

Benefits Card Details

• $0 annual fee
• Simple, flat-rate rewards
• Flexible redemption options
• Up to 75% Bank of America Preferred Rewards® bonus potential
• Apply Now

• 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
• Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants, including takeout.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.49% - 27.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 5%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
• This offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

4.4

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Apply Now

on Bank of America's secure website

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

Annual Fee

$0

+ -

Why we like it

• Enjoy 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then 17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR)

• Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

• No annual fee, plus earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases

• Apply Now