How I Travel For Free Using Credit Card Points (2024)

FAQs

How can I fly free by using credit card? ›

1) Sign up for a low-interest / beginner-level credit card and build your credit score. 2) Sign up for an airline credit card with a signup bonus. 3) Spend the amount necessary to earn the promotional offer. 4) Check your airline's rewards chart to see what you can redeem for the amount of miles you have.

With most airlines, free flights generally start at 5,000 to 7,500 miles per one-way segment. So to book a round-trip flight, you typically need at least 10,000 to 15,000 miles. But prices that low tend to only be available on short hops, meaning flights of about an hour to an hour and a half.

For low-maintenance rewards, cash back is the way to go. For big-time travelers, travel rewards are ideal.

Redeem your rewards for a free flight​

While the shortest flights will cost you about 10,000 miles for a free ticket, sometimes you can redeem any amount of miles you have in your account to find reduced fares on participating airlines.

American Airlines AAdvantage miles are worth 1.7 cents each toward award flights, more than any other U.S. airline. Meghan Coyle started as a web producer and writer at NerdWallet in 2018. She covers travel rewards, including industry news, airline and hotel loyalty programs, and how to travel on points.

How much are 100,000 Chase rewards points worth? The math is the same as above, so 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points are typically worth at least $1,000. They could be worth more depending on the card you use and if you book through Chase's online travel portal.

Ultimately, you'll get the best deals with your miles if you're flexible with your travel plans. One great way to redeem your United miles is for flights to Europe. It's not difficult to find these tickets for 35,000 miles one way or 70,000 miles round trip, plus taxes and fees, or less.

For example, a journey of up to 1,500 miles will require 30,000 air miles (economy), 60,000 air miles (business class), and 80,000 air miles (first class). A trip that is between 1,501 and 4,000 miles will need 35,000, 75,000, and 100,000 air miles for economy, business, and first class.

How to use miles for free flights? ›

Redeeming airline miles is usually pretty simple. With most airlines, you can redeem your miles for a free flight by logging into your account during the booking process. You'll need to book on the airline's website, rather than travel websites such as Expedia or Kayak, if you want to pay with miles.

While most credit card rewards programs have points that never expire, hotel and airline rewards tend to expire after 12 to 36 months. There are other ways to lose your credit card rewards outside of standard expiration, including account inactivity, becoming delinquent on your account and returning a purchase.

Many card issuers will allow you to redeem your cash back with a statement credit, a direct deposit to your bank account or a check payable to you. Some issuers also offer redemption options like gift cards, tickets to concerts and sporting events or even charitable donations.

Can the reward points that I earn be converted into cash? A few banks give you the option to convert your reward points into cash. The amount that has been converted into cash will be credited into your credit card account. You can use this to make payments.

It can provide protection

Depending on which type of credit card you have, you might get some valuable travel protections by booking your trip with it. For example, some cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provide lost luggage reimbursem*nt, travel accident insurance and travel emergency assistance services.

Understanding the cost of using your credit card abroad. Most credit card providers charge you a fee for currency conversion when you're abroad – and for withdrawing cash abroad you may also be charged a cash withdrawal fee.

When using credit cards internationally, be aware of potential currency conversion and international transaction fees, which can be as high as 3% per transaction or more. It's advisable to consult your card issuer about conditions that might waive these fees or to seek a card that does not impose them.