How to Get Your First Free Flight with Credit Card Points

You don’t need to be rich, well-traveled, or carry 12 credit cards to get a flight for free.

You just need to understand how credit card points really work—and how to play the game better than the people the credit card companies are actually profiting from.

This guide shows you how to book your first flight without spending anything extra—by using signup bonuses the right way.

The Secret to Free Flights (That Most People Never Use)

Most people think you earn a free flight by putting everything on a rewards card for years—groceries, gas, Netflix, whatever. That’s how credit card companies want you to think about it. Slow, steady, boring.

But the real hack is right in front of you: credit card signup bonuses.

These bonuses offer 50,000–80,000 points (sometimes more) just for opening a card and spending a certain amount in the first few months. That’s often enough for a round-trip international flight.

And no—it’s not a scam. These are real, regulated financial products, and the points are real. You’re not taking advantage of the system. You’re finally using it the way it was designed—just smarter.

You might be wondering:

“Doesn’t this ruin your credit?”
Actually, the opposite. Most people see their credit score go up because opening one new card increases your total credit limit and improves your credit utilization. Unless you're applying for a mortgage tomorrow, it's a net win.

“Why would a bank give away a free flight?”
Because most people won’t use their points efficiently. They'll redeem for gift cards or let points expire. Even worse—many will carry a balance and pay interest. That’s where the banks make their money. Not from you using the system well—but from people using it badly.

And that’s the key: credit card companies make billions because people don’t know how to play the game. You're just choosing not to be one of them.

How to Choose Your First Travel Card (Without Getting Overwhelmed)

Forget cashback cards. If you’re using a 1.5% cashback card for your everyday spending, you’re earning pennies when you could be earning flights. Credit card points—especially transferable points—offer far more value.

Here’s how to pick your first travel card.

Look for:

• A strong signup bonus (50,000+ points)
  

• A realistic minimum spend (usually $3,000–$4,000 in 3 months)
  

• Low or no annual fees, or fees that are worth it based on benefits
  

• Flexible points that can be transferred to airlines or booked through travel portals
  

Avoid:

• Airline-specific cards if you're just getting started (they lock you into one program)
  

• Cashback cards (again—flights are a better deal per dollar)
  

• Super-premium cards unless you’re confident you’ll get the value back
  

Start with what works for you. If you’ve never had a travel card before, don’t go straight for a premium $695/year product unless you know what you’re doing.

Here are a few strong beginner options:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred – Often called the best starter travel card, flexible points, strong signup bonus, and $95 annual fee.
  

• Capital One Venture – Easy-to-use points, great for casual travelers, and can transfer to multiple airlines.
  

• Citi Premier – Great for international flights and often has large bonuses.

Apply for the best card you can get now. Don’t wait months to hit the “perfect credit score.” Many people are approved with scores in the 680–720 range.

Your goal: Get a card you can be approved for, earn the bonus, and book the flight. Then you can start optimizing.

How to Hit the Minimum Spend (Without Going Into Debt)

The catch with signup bonuses is that you usually have to spend a certain amount in a short window—usually three months. But you don’t need to go broke to do it.

If your bonus requires $4,000 in three months, that’s roughly $1,333/month, which is totally manageable if you’re strategic.

Here’s how to make it painless:

• Move all your spending to the new card—groceries, dining, subscriptions.
  

• Prepay large bills (insurance premiums, quarterly taxes, utilities).
  

• Use payment services that let you pay rent with a credit card (like Plastiq or Bilt).
  

• Buy gift cards to places you already shop (Amazon, airlines, grocery stores).
  

• Split group purchases with friends or family—book the Airbnb on your card, have everyone Venmo you.
  

Just don’t spend money you wouldn’t have spent anyway. You’re not gaming the system—you’re re-routing your spending through a smarter pipeline.

Tip: set a reminder in your calendar a month before your deadline to check your spend progress. You don’t want to miss the bonus by $100.

How to Redeem Points for Maximum Value (Not a $50 Gift Card)

Once the points hit your account, you’ve got the power. Don’t waste it.

Most people cash out for gift cards or statement credits. That’s a trap. You’ll only get around 0.5–1 cent per point—meaning 60,000 points gets you $300–$600, if that.

But flights are a different story.

• Redeeming through a travel portal (like Chase Travel) can get you 1.25–1.5 cents per point.
  

• Transferring points to airline partners can push that up to 2 cents or more.
  

• Savvy redemptions—like off-peak dates or international flights—can turn 60,000 points into $1,200+ in value.

That’s why flights almost always beat cashback. You’re getting more per point, and unlocking trips that would otherwise be out of reach.

Examples:

• 60,000 points = round-trip to Europe in economy
  

• 35,000 points = domestic round-trip flight
  

• 75,000 points = one-way business class to Asia (if transferred smartly)

Just make sure your points are flexible. Chase, Amex, Capital One, and Citi all have transfer programs that plug into dozens of airline partners.

Your Free Flight Playbook: What’s Next + Bonus Tips

To recap:

1. Get a credit card with a big signup bonus
   

2. Hit the minimum spend using your regular expenses
   

3. Redeem your points for flights—not gift cards
   

4. Travel for free
   

5. Repeat
   

If you’ve made it this far, you’re already ahead of 99% of people who are still using cashback cards and wondering why they never get ahead.

Want to go deeper?

• Track your cards, bonuses, and point balances with a simple spreadsheet
  

• Set calendar reminders for when to cancel or downgrade before annual fees hit
  

• Start looking into pairing cards—like adding a no-fee card that earns points you can combine
  

• Learn the basics of transferring points to specific airlines (this is where the magic happens)

But don’t get overwhelmed. Just book your first free flight. That’s the milestone. After that, it becomes a lifestyle.

The credit card companies are counting on you to be lazy, confused, or scared. Prove them wrong.