Can You Really Fly for Free?

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

13 Aug 2009 07:21 PM

Silly me. Here I thought flying to from Hawaii to Wisconsin and back a couple of times a year would help me accrue enough miles for a free frequent flyer award ticket--before I turned 80. What was I thinking? Most airlines now demand more miles before you qualify, and they expire quicker than ever - typically 18 months.

So how does one pile up points if he or she doesn't fly on a weekly basis?

Here are some ideas that I uncovered in my quest to score a quasi-free ticket home:

AIRLINE CREDIT CARDS

Having an airline-affiliated credit card is one of the quickest ways to earn a free trip since most provide enough bonus points for a domestic round trip ticket after you make your first purchase. However, this type of plastic comes with some drawbacks. For example, the fees can be high, so you might want to reevaluate whether you want to keep the card after you are awarded with your first free flight.

Continental gives 20,000 miles with your first purchase, plus 5,000 miles for signing up a second card user, but it charges an $85 annual fee.

Delta awards 20,000 miles with first Gold SkyMiles purchase, 2,500 miles apiece for registering up to two more users, but keeping the card means spending $95 on an annual fee.

JetBlue hands out 50 TrueBlue points with first purchase (that's halfway to a free flight), plus a $50 credit with a JetBlue ticket purchase, but you'll have to pay a $40 annual fee to keep the card.

United awards 30,000 miles with first Mileage Plus purchase of at least $250; then you'll have to fork over $60 for an annual fee to keep the card.

Another way to pile up the miles is to shop til you drop. Commercial airlines have retailers it partners with, and they'll reward you for your business with 1 to 25 miles for every dollar you spend. The shopping section of your miles program's website provides a complete list of participating retailers, such as Omaha Steaks, Staples, Target, iTunes, Mrs. Fields, Macy's, and REI.

Related Articles:

The Nightmare of Redeeming Frequent Flyer Miles

Selecting A Frequent-Flyer Program

Hawaii or a Plasma TV

Teacher + Desire for Free Airline Ticket=Suspension

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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