How To Travel for Free with Credit Cards

One of my favorite things about using credit cards is you can use them to earn free flights and hotels. 

In one recent year, I earned $18,900 worth of free flights just by by strategizing which credit cards to use on which purchases! 

Here’s how you can do it, too. 

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1. Get a No-Annual-Fee Card First

Your first task is to open a card that doesn’t charge an annual fee. This is especially important if you’re new to using credit cards, because you want to begin building your credit history. 

Starting with a no-annual-fee rewards card is ideal because you can keep the card forever. That card builds the foundation of your credit history even if the rewards program changes over time. 

COMPARE: Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards

2. Use Your Credit Cards Responsibly

My “Golden Rule” is to always use your credit cards responsibly.

If you can’t pay off your credit cards every month, you shouldn’t use them at all. There’s nothing good about credit card debt and its high interest rates, so it’s best to treat credit cards like cash. What this means is you don’t spend more than you can pay off in full each month. 

The second part of this golden rule is reward-specific: Never spend more than you normally would to earn credit card rewards. This is super important! I don’t recommend applying for a rewards card if you can’t meet the minimum spending requirement through your usual spending. 

READ MORE: How To Pay Off Credit Card Debt

3. Know Your Goal

You next need to figure out your goals. You might focus on hotel nights, free flights, or both. Your specific travel goals will be different from mine or anyone else’s, so tailor your travel hacking appropriately. 

Maybe you have a preferred airline that has a lot of flights out of your local airport, or you really love a certain family of hotels when you’re traveling. Look into credit cards that offer the most valuable points or rewards for those flights and hotels. 

For any new card, check into the welcome bonus and be sure to meet the spending requirement in the time allowed. For example, it might be $3,000 in the first three months after account opening, in order to earn $300 worth of bonus reward points. 

Focus your spending on any new card first to earn the welcome bonus, then you can determine which cards to use after that. 

COMPARE: Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses

4. Track Your Cards

When you really get into travel hacking, you must come up with a system for tracking your cards. 

Once, I missed out on a $500 sign-up bonus because I met the minimum spend one day late! You don’t want to make that mistake.

A straightforward method like an Excel spreadsheet is a great way to do this. 

Make note of the basics of any new rewards card. And if you’re going to attempt credit card “churning,” which is opening new cards solely for the purpose of earning sign-up bonuses, you’ll really need to be on top of all of your cards. 

I keep track of:

• Credit card name
• Date opened
• Minimum spending for bonus
• What the bonus is
• Date I need to close the card

Most of us have our phones on us at all times, so setting phone or calendar alerts can help you remember to put purchases on a specific card or close the card fully to avoid paying the next year’s annual fee. 

5. Know Which Card To Use When

Next, know which card is best to use on different purchases. The more credit cards you have, the more you’ll need to keep track of them (see tip no. 4) and their rewards programs. 

For example, I like to use my Chase Sapphire Reserve® on trips because it rewards hotel and flight purchases at a higher rate than other categories. 

(The Reserve® does have a high annual fee, so if you’re new to travel rewards, you may want to start out with the more affordable Chase Sapphire Preferred® instead.)

Once you have a few cards, figure out which ones offer the best rewards for flights, hotels, dining, Lyft rides, and more, and swipe the right card at the right time. 

Also, watch for cards that shift rewards rates every quarter or offer limited-time bonus earning in one category. It takes some time, but it’s fun and worth the effort to understand each card’s strengths. 

READ MORE: How To Get the Most Out of Credit Card Points

6. Use the Best Redemption Options

Now, here’s my final tip for getting free travel with credit cards: Know the best redemption options for each card. 

While you can redeem credit card points for cash in most cases, that’s usually not the best value. However, if you want to travel for free, you’re in luck. Some of the most valuable credit card reward programs cater to travelers. 

You might get 25% to 50% more value for your points when redeeming them for flights or hotels compared to cash or other redemptions. 

COMPARE: Best Travel Credit Cards

FAQs

How many points do you need for a free flight?

The number of points needed for free flights varies among cards, airlines, and fare types. Read the information provided for any potential card — card issuers may provide estimates of point values and average redemption costs. 

You’ll likely need at least 6,000 points or so for a one-way domestic flight, with point values going up for round-trip, business or first class, and flights during high-demand times. 

Is it a good idea to use a credit card when traveling?

Yes! There are plenty of reasons to put travel purchases on credit cards. The best cards provide travel protections like insurance for baggage and trip cancellations or delays. 

Plus, with a travel rewards card, travel purchases like flights, hotels, rideshares, and dining often earn rewards at a higher rate. 

TL;DR: How To Get Free Travel With Credit Cards

You can totally travel for free by using credit card rewards! The key is to be responsible and strategic with your card use, by setting a goal, tracking your cards, and using the right card for the right purchases, so you can earn the most points.

For more tips on getting started with travel hacking, check out these episodes of the Erika Taught Me podcast:

• Fly First Class For Free With These Travel Hacks With The Points Guy
• Travel Hacks From the Man Who Has Visited Every Country In the World
• Sec. Pete Buttigieg: Know the “Fine Print” Before You Travel

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