Imagine being able to fly to your dream destination without paying a dime for the ticket. Sounds too good to be true? With travel hacking, it’s entirely possible. This beginner’s guide will walk you through the essentials of travel hacking, showing you how to earn a free flight in as little as 15 minutes. Whether you’re new to the concept or looking to refine your strategy, we’ll cover the basics, share insider tips, and introduce you to the best tools and credit cards to help you start your journey toward free travel. Let’s dive in and unlock the secrets to exploring the world without breaking the bank!
How to Score a Free Flight in Just 15 Minutes
*This guide is designed to save you time by cutting through the noise and giving you the essential tools to start travel hacking today.
Disclosure: Zero To Travel has partnered with Daily Drop for coverage of credit card products. We may receive a commission from card issuers. Thanks for your support!
A free flight in just 15 minutes? You might think I’m kidding or just another guy online making wild claims.
But hold on a second!
Okay, maybe I act a little goofy sometimes, but no one’s perfect, right?
Here’s the truth: It is entirely possible to earn enough points for a free flight in under 15 minutes.
Before we get into the how-to, let’s take a quick look at what travel hacking is and how you can tailor it to your lifestyle and financial situation.
You’ll find plenty of valuable tips along the way, including a resource that can take your travel game to the next level. So, stick with me.
What Is Travel Hacking?
Travel hacking means taking advantage of the existing rules set by airlines, credit card companies, and hotels to earn free travel perks, like flights, hotel stays, and other upgrades.
Travel hacking isn’t new. According to Wikipedia, the first frequent flyer program was created in 1972 by United Airlines. Loyalty programs have been around for decades.
I earned my first free flight about 14 years ago, and the concept has only gotten more popular.
While “hacking” might sound like something illegal or complex, in this case, it’s neither. Travel hacking is completely legal and easier than you might think, even at the most basic level.
Is It Hard to Become a Travel Hacker?
You don’t need secret codes, high-tech gadgets, or insider knowledge to get started with travel hacking.
It’s quite simple to earn free flights and hotel stays without adding any significant stress to your life.
For those who want to dive right in without getting bogged down by endless options or hours of research, I’ve outlined a straightforward plan to help you start immediately.
If you decide to make travel hacking a hobby, it’s worth following a few key resources dedicated to the subject. Since credit card offers, airline rules, and promotions are always changing, staying informed will help you maximize your points and rewards. I’ll share some of these resources at the end of the article.
For now, let’s keep things simple.
The Beginner’s Guide to Earning Free Flights
Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? In Aesop’s classic fable, the tortoise wins through persistence, while the hare, though faster, loses due to overconfidence and unnecessary risks.
In the world of travel hacking, you can take two approaches: slow and steady, or fast and strategic. The key to success is combining both strategies to accumulate points efficiently.
The Tortoise Travel Hacker: Earning Rewards Points Over Time
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” — Chinese Proverb
This saying holds for almost everything in life, including earning free travel. If you haven’t started yet, now is the perfect time.
Here’s a simple two-step process for the Tortoise Travel Hacker:
Step 1 – Sign Up for All Rewards and Frequent Flyer Programs
These programs are free to join. Don’t worry about signing up for every airline and hotel program right now. Instead, when you fly a new airline or stay at a new hotel, sign up for their rewards program to start earning points. Never take a flight or book a hotel without collecting miles or points.
To maximize your rewards, check the hotel or airline’s website before booking to see if they’re offering any promotions for bonus points or miles.
Step 2 – Track Your Points with Award Wallet
Over time, you’ll accumulate several frequent flyer and hotel rewards accounts. To keep track of them all, use a service like Award Wallet, which helps manage your loyalty program accounts.
Here’s a partial screenshot of my account to give you an idea.
Why You Should Use Award Wallet
I highly recommend using Award Wallet to keep all your points and miles organized in one place. Not only does it help you track everything effortlessly, but it also sends alerts when your points or miles are about to expire.
Before I started using Award Wallet, I lost miles simply because I couldn’t keep track of my various accounts. Thanks to Award Wallet’s notifications, I’ve been able to avoid losing points by making small purchases or transferring miles when needed.
Step 2 – Stick with Your Favorites
Whenever possible, try to fly with the same airline and stay at the same hotel chain consistently.
Loyalty programs are designed for repeat customers, and they do pay off. Find the companies you like and stick with them. While it might not always be possible due to cost or availability, doing your best to remain loyal will help your points add up faster, leading to free flights and hotel stays.
This approach may take time, but if you’re ready to accelerate your journey toward free travel, it’s time to dive into the world of travel rewards credit cards.
The Hare Travel Hacker: Fast-Track Your Rewards with Credit Cards
I know, talking about credit cards might not sound thrilling, but stick with me—this is the quickest way to rack up points for free flights, hotel stays, and other travel perks.
If you want to start earning tens of thousands of miles quickly—without having to fly hundreds of hours—signing up for credit cards that offer bonus miles or points is the way to go.
Here’s a regularly updated list of the best travel rewards credit cards to help you get started.
Credit card companies benefit from gaining new customers, and you benefit by earning free travel rewards.
However, before diving into this strategy, there are two essential rules to keep in mind:
Pay Your Credit Card Bill in Full Every Month
It’s crucial to be financially responsible. If you’re carrying credit card debt, adding another card could lead to more financial trouble. My advice? Only consider travel rewards credit cards if you can pay off your balance in full each month and have no existing credit card debt.
Start conservatively. Use your card to earn a free flight or two and ensure you’re comfortable managing the extra responsibility. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can explore more opportunities. After all, what’s the point of earning free travel if you can’t afford to enjoy it?
Meet the Minimum Spend Requirements
To earn the points bonus, you’ll need to meet the minimum spending requirements set by the credit card issuer. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card requires you to charge $4,000 within the first three months to earn 60,000 points. You can learn more about this card here.
Yes, $4,000 is a significant amount, but don’t worry—there are ways to meet this requirement without overspending.
What Are You Waiting For?
If you’re using a credit card that doesn’t earn rewards points, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity.
Living in the U.S., you have almost unlimited options for rewards credit cards. If you have a card that doesn’t offer any benefits, it’s time to pay it off, cut it up, and sign up for a card that rewards you.
Travel hacking with rewards credit cards can be a bit overwhelming due to the vast array of choices and the need to track spending, points, and due dates. However, by signing up for multiple cards and strategically managing your points, you can amass hundreds of thousands of miles and save big on travel, hotels, and more.
To save you time, I’ve distilled the best options:
Credit Card Travel Hacking Simplified: The Best Travel Rewards Cards
Option #1: The Consensus Choice – Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is widely regarded as the best overall travel rewards card for personal use.
Current Offer: Earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 within the first three months. Learn more
Key Benefits:
- 10X miles on hotels and cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
For business owners, the Chase Ink Business Preferred is an excellent option:
Current Offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first three months.
Key Benefits:
- 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in select categories each year
- 1X points per $1 on all other purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
Both of these cards make it easy to redeem points for flights and hotels through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Option #2: Hotel Rewards Card – Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Another great option, particularly for hotel stays, is the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, which allows you to transfer points to frequent flyer accounts.
Key Benefits:
- Free Night Award every year after your account anniversary (up to 35,000 points)
- 15 Elite Night Credits each year
- No foreign transaction fees
Keeping It Simple
If you’re new to travel hacking, start with one or two cards. If you can handle another minimum spend, consider adding a second card to maximize your points.
After Signing Up: Track all your cards and rewards programs by signing up for the Award Wallet.
Meeting the Minimum Spend
This can seem daunting, but remember, it’s about charging, not necessarily spending. There are creative ways to meet the minimum spend without stretching your budget.
One simple strategy is to time your rewards card applications with big purchases. For example, if you’re planning to buy a new computer, sign up for a rewards card first so that purchase counts toward your minimum spend.
Earning a Flight in Under 15 Minutes
As promised, here’s how I earned a flight in under 15 minutes.
First, I applied for a Chase Ink Business Preferred Card, which took about 10 minutes.
Then, I charged my federal taxes to the card—did you know you can pay taxes with a credit card? The points I earned from that payment covered a free flight.
Even if you don’t owe taxes, you can still use this strategy with other large expenses to quickly meet the minimum spend and earn rewards.
Final Thoughts
While travel hacking with credit cards can seem complicated, it’s just about taking that first step. Start with one card and build from there.
Keep in mind that while you may have to pay taxes and fees on your “free” flights, the cost is usually minimal compared to the value you’re getting.
When you’re booking a flight using rewards points and you realize you’ve just scored a trip halfway around the world for next to nothing, all the effort will feel more than worth it.
So, sit back, relax, and enjoy your free flight. Safe travels!
What do you think about travel hacking? Do you have any tips or strategies? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Want to save thousands on travel? Tune into the Zero To Travel Podcast, where millions have discovered new and affordable ways to explore the world.
Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities mentioned. Zero To Travel has partnered with Daily Drop for coverage of credit card products and may receive a commission from card issuers.
Frequently Asked Question
Is travel hacking legal?
Yes, travel hacking is entirely legal. It involves leveraging the rules and rewards programs set by airlines, credit card companies, and hotels to earn free flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related benefits. It’s about being strategic with your spending and loyalty programs to maximize your rewards.
How can I earn a free flight in under 15 minutes?
You can earn a free flight in under 15 minutes by signing up for a travel rewards credit card that offers a substantial sign-up bonus. For example, some cards offer tens of thousands of points or miles if you meet a minimum spending requirement within a few months. By using the card for necessary purchases or large expenses, you can quickly accumulate enough points for a free flight.
What is the best credit card for beginners in travel hacking?
A popular choice for beginners is the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. It offers a generous sign-up bonus, multiple opportunities to earn points on everyday spending, and flexible redemption options through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. It’s widely recommended for those new to travel hacking due to its balance of benefits and ease of use.
Do I need to have excellent credit to start travel hacking?
While having good to excellent credit can help you qualify for the best travel rewards credit cards, you don’t need a perfect credit score. Many cards are available to those with fair credit, though they might offer fewer rewards. It’s important to check your credit score and the card’s requirements before applying.
What happens if I can’t meet the minimum spend requirement on a new credit card?
If you can’t meet the minimum spend requirement, you won’t receive the sign-up bonus points or miles. However, there are creative ways to meet these requirements, such as timing your application with large purchases, paying bills with your card (where possible), or even pre-paying for future expenses like utilities. Just ensure that you’re charging, not overspending, to meet these goals.
Can I lose the points or miles I’ve earned?
Yes, points and miles can expire if not used within a certain timeframe. This is why it’s recommended to use a tool like Award Wallet to track your points and miles, as it will notify you when they are about to expire. Additionally, many loyalty programs allow you to keep your points active by making a small purchase or transaction through their program.
What are the risks of travel hacking with credit cards?
The main risk is accumulating credit card debt if you’re not careful with your spending. It’s crucial to only use travel rewards cards if you can pay off the balance in full each month. Carrying a balance can lead to high interest charges, which can negate the value of any rewards earned. Additionally, applying for multiple credit cards can temporarily impact your credit score, so it’s important to manage applications wisely.
Conclusion
Travel hacking is an exciting and rewarding way to turn everyday spending into incredible travel experiences, like earning free flights and hotel stays. By understanding the basics, leveraging credit card rewards programs, and staying organized with tools like Award Wallet, you can start accumulating points and miles quickly—even in as little as 15 minutes. While the process might seem daunting at first, it’s just about taking that first step. Whether you’re starting slow with loyalty programs or jumping into the fast track with travel rewards credit cards, there’s a strategy that can fit your lifestyle and financial situation.