We’ve all seen that friend on Instagram sipping wine at 30,000 feet in business class, flying to some exotic destination, and thought, “How do they afford that?” The answer, more often than not, is simple: points and miles.
I’m here to tell you that scoring free flights isn’t just for frequent flyers or credit card hackers; it’s totally doable for regular people like you and me. With a little strategy, the right tools, and some planning, you can turn everyday spending into incredible trips. I’ll help you find the best ways to earn, use, and stretch your travel rewards points and miles so you can start flying for free, often, and in style.
Let’s dive in.
What Are Points and Miles?
Before we get to the good stuff (hello, free award flights), let’s talk basics.
“Points” and “miles” are the currencies used by travel loyalty programs, usually through airlines, credit cards, or hotel chains. You earn them by flying, staying in hotels, spending on credit cards, dining, shopping, and even just breathing in the right direction these days (okay, not literally — but you get the idea).
Here’s the breakdown:
- Airline miles – Earned via frequent flyer programs (like Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, or American AAdvantage).
- Credit card points – Earned through banks like Chase (Ultimate Rewards), Amex (Membership Rewards), or Capital One (Miles).
- Hotel points – Earned through hotel programs like Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors.
- Transferable points – These are my favorites. Think of them as the Swiss Army knife of travel rewards because they can be transferred to airlines or hotels. Chase, Amex, Capital One, and Citi offer them.
Why Earning Free Flights Is Worth Your Time
Here’s why I think everyone should learn how to score free flights:
- Flights are often the most expensive part of travel.
- Points and miles can save you hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars per trip.
- You can fly in premium cabins (think: lie-flat seats, champagne, chef-designed meals) for a fraction of the price.
- It’s addictive. In the best way.
How Do You Earn Travel Rewards Points and Miles?
1. Start With Travel Rewards Credit Cards
If you’re not using a rewards credit card, you’re leaving free flights on the table.
Travel credit cards are your fastest route to big point balances. The best ones offer:
- Huge sign-up bonuses (think: 60,000+ points for meeting minimum spend)
- Bonus categories (like 3x points on travel, dining, groceries)
- Valuable transfer partners (like Southwest, United, Hyatt, etc.)
Not sure which card to get? Check out our list of the best credit card bonus offers for 2025 to start strong.
Some of my favorite starter cards include:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred (great for beginners)
- Capital One Venture Rewards (easy earning, simple redemptions)
- American Express Gold Card (killer dining rewards)
Pro Tip: If you’re ready to plan your trip, check out Expedia travel packages. Combining flights and hotels can stretch your points even further.
2. Maximize Your Everyday Spending
Earning points doesn’t require crazy travel. You earn every time you:
- Buy groceries
- Order takeout
- Pay for gas
- Shop online
- Pay bills (some services allow credit card payments)
Always put spending on the card that earns the most points for that category.
3. Double Dip With Shopping Portals
Want to earn extra points for stuff you were already going to buy?
Use airline or credit card shopping portals (like Rakuten, Chase Shopping, or United MileagePlus Shopping). Just click through their site before shopping, and boom, more points in your pocket.
4. Take Advantage of Dining Rewards
Many airline programs have dining networks. Link your card, dine at partner restaurants, and automatically earn miles.
A few worth checking out:
- American Airlines AAdvantage Dining
- Delta SkyMiles Dining
- United MileagePlus Dining
5. Stay With Hotel Loyalty Programs
If you’re booking a hotel, always sign up for their loyalty program, it’s free and gets you:
- Bonus points
- Free Wi-Fi
- Room upgrades
For example, Marriott Bonvoy transfers points to 40+ airlines.
Need a hotel right now? Browse Hotels.com or find a cozy escape with VRBO.
6. Stack Promotions and Bonuses
Airlines and credit cards run limited-time offers that let you earn more than usual. Look for:
- 5x or 10x bonus categories
- Seasonal promotions (like holiday spend boosts)
- Referral bonuses (earn points when friends sign up)
I always say: if it takes 30 seconds and earns me 5,000 points, I’m in.
7. Use Travel Portals Smartly
Chase, Amex, and Capital One all have travel portals. You can book flights, hotels, and cars with points.
Sometimes, you’ll get better value transferring points to an airline or hotel. Other times, it’s cheaper through the portal — especially for economy flights.
Test both. Book the smarter one.
The Best Ways to Redeem Points and Miles for Free Flights
So, you’ve racked up your points, now what? Let’s turn them into free flights.
8. Understand Award Charts
Some airlines use fixed award charts (e.g., 60,000 miles round-trip to Europe), while others use dynamic pricing (the price in miles goes up/down based on cash fare).
Transferable points give you flexibility here. For instance, you could:
- Transfer Chase points to United for a saver fare
- Transfer Amex points to Air France for a great deal to Paris
Want a card that earns directly with airlines? Browse our comprehensive guide to airline credit cards for options that offer elite status boosts, free bags, and priority boarding.
9. Be Flexible With Dates
This is the #1 secret to scoring free flights.
Flying midweek, in shoulder season (like April or October), or during off-peak hours can slash the points needed by 50% or more.
10. Book in Advance (Or Super Last Minute)
Award space is best either:
- 330 days in advance (when seats are first released)
- A few days before departure (when airlines release unsold inventory)
Planning a dream trip? Use Expedia’s best deals to bundle flight + hotel for serious savings.
11. Consider Partner Airlines
You don’t have to fly with the airline where you earned your miles. Most airlines are in alliances (Star Alliance, Oneworld, SkyTeam), so you can redeem miles on partner carriers.
Example: Use American Airlines miles to fly Qatar Airways. Or use United miles to fly Lufthansa.
12. Try One-Way Awards
A round-trip ticket doesn’t always get you the best deal. One-way flights let you:
- Mix airlines
- Use multiple programs
- Fly business class one way, economy the other
It’s like building your own travel puzzle.
13. Avoid Fuel Surcharges
Some airlines add crazy fees. Others don’t.
When redeeming miles, check the taxes and fees before booking. Sometimes, “free flights” costs $300+ in fees, not worth it.
Points and Miles Booking Tools I Love
14. Google Flights
Not for award travel, but it’s amazing for spotting cheap cash fares and planning routes. Then you can use points to cover the cost.
15. AwardHacker & Point.Me
These tools help you figure out the best program to use for a given flight.
AwardHacker is free; Point.Me is a paid tool that’s insanely detailed.
16. LifeAndTravels.org Guide to Free Travel With Points And Miles
Our Guide to Free Travel With Points And Miles
Keep Your Miles From Expiring
16. Use AwardWallet
This free tool tracks your points balances across multiple airlines, hotels, and banks — and warns you when miles are expiring.
17. Stay Active
Even a small activity (like dining, shopping, or transferring 1,000 points) can reset expiration clocks. Don’t let your hard-earned miles vanish.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
- Only booking through one program
- Letting points expire
- Ignoring transfer ratios (some are awful)
- Paying interest on credit cards (kills the benefit)
- Redeeming points for gift cards or merchandise (low value)
Tips to Supercharge Your Earnings
- Combine points with a spouse/partner (some programs allow transfers)
- Use business credit cards if you’re self-employed
- Stack with travel portals, coupons, and dining rewards
- Always check Expedia travel deals before paying cash
The Easiest Ways to Start Today
Here’s what I’d do if I were starting from scratch today:
- Get a Chase Sapphire Preferred (great starter card)
- Join major airline frequent-flyer programs
- Set a goal: “I want to fly to Italy in 10 months.”
- Put all spending on your card (and pay it off)
- Monitor bonus categories, deals, and transfer promos
- Track balances with AwardWallet
- Look for hotels via Hotels.com or VRBO
- Plan your dream trip — and book with points
FAQs About Free Flights With Points
What’s the best airline for free flights?
It depends on where you’re flying from, but Southwest (domestic), United (no fuel surcharges), and Air Canada (great award chart) are excellent.
How long does it take to earn a free flight?
With a good sign-up bonus, you could have enough miles within 3 months for a free domestic round-trip flight.
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This
Scoring free flights with points and miles isn’t complicated. It’s all about being intentional and taking small, consistent steps. If you can build habits around how you spend, what cards you use, and where you book, the rewards stack up faster than most people realize.
I like to think of this whole world of points and miles like a frequent flyer video game. At first, it’s unfamiliar, a new system, a different language (award charts, transfer partners, sweet spots). But the more you play, the better you get. You start to recognize patterns. You start to make smarter moves. You see the big redemptions ahead and plan your way there.
And unlike most games, the prize here isn’t just digital. It’s real.
It’s the sunrise over Tokyo from your window seat.
It’s the sound of ocean waves in Greece while sipping wine you didn’t pay for.
It’s being able to surprise your partner with a weekend in New York, using miles.
It’s turning your everyday purchases into memories that last a lifetime.
You don’t need to be a finance expert. You don’t need to travel every month. All you need is a bit of strategy and a willingness to start. If you’ve ever used a coupon or waited for a sale, you already have the mindset to succeed.
Here’s what I recommend:
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Pick a destination you’ve always wanted to visit.
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Find the best travel rewards card that fits your lifestyle.
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Start earning points through your everyday purchases.
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Research the best flight deals and redemption options.
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Book that dream trip when you find the right opportunity.
The first time you click “book” on a flight that costs zero dollars, it’s a powerful feeling. You’ll realize that you’ve unlocked something most people never even try.
So go ahead. Start now. This is your takeoff moment.
And when you’re enjoying that view from the sky or exploring a new city because you learned how to fly for free, send me a postcard.
Because free flights aren’t just a dream. They’re real, and they’re waiting.
Pro Tips:
Our Guide to Free Travel With Points And Miles
Best Credit Card Bonus Offers, Perks, & Benefits
Best Travel Destinations, Travel Deals, Adventures & Things To Do
Best Deals on Top Rated Travel Products
Our Guide to Airline Frequent Flyer Programs
