Fly for Free: How I Flew My Family to Cancun for Free*

I use a combination of frequent flyer miles or points and travel-rewards credit cards to fly for free. Unless you fly more than a couple of times a year, it will take awhile to earn enough miles or points for reward travel. Therefore, the number one way to fly for free is to use a travel credit card.

Travel credit cards allow you to earn miles, points, or cash that can be redeemed for travel-related purchases. This article focuses on the Southwest Rewards card, which is what I used to fly my family to Cancun for free* (*I paid taxes and fees).

Travel-Rewards Credit Card to Fly for Free

I got a Southwest Plus Credit Card because I was already using an Airtran rewards credit card when the two airlines merged in 2014. I transitioned to flying Southwest because they fly out of the major airports I frequently use to the destinations I need, are affordable, and everyone can check up to two bags for no additional expense.

You can earn Southwest points through flying, hotel bookings, using their shopping portal, and by using their credit card for most of my purchases. The best way to earn points is to charge everything you can if you can and will pay off your balance every month. You don’t earn the points until you have paid off your charges and paying interest negates any points or miles you are earning.

Travel rewards credit cards are my favorite way to save money on travel, but they are not the only way to travel for cheap.

Shopping Portal

Many airlines offer online shopping portals where you can earn points or miles by shopping through them. You can also install a Google Chrome extension to see whether an your airline will reward you for shopping at a specific online retailer. I make a point to use the shopping portal during the holiday shopping season because there are usually bonuses available.

Use the Right Card for Bonus Categories

I have three travel-rewards credit cards — though Southwest is the primary card I use. However, I make sure that certain expenses are charged to the credit card that has bonuses for specific categories. For example, you can earn 2 points per $1 for purchases for Southwest Rapid Reward hotel and car rental purchases, local transit and community purchases, internet, cable, phone, and some streaming services. In contrast, other purchases earn 1 point per $1. (Always check Southwest for current reward policies.)

Hotel Bookings and Rental Cars

You can book hotel, rental cars, and vacation packages directly through many airline’s website. Booking travel through an airline’s portal may earn you more points or miles. Further, you may be able to redeem points or miles toward your travel. I redeemed Southwest points for five free nights at the Ibis Barcelona Cornella in 2024.

Transfer Points

It is possible transfer points from one frequent flyer to another, but it costs money. I am the primary account holder on this credit card which means all the points go to my account. My family members only earn points through flying and the shopping portal.

You are however, able to book flights for more than one person through one member’s account. I booked all three of our flights to Cancun through my account. I could use my points for the purchase. In short, there is not really a reason to transfer points. It might make your flight cheaper, but you lose by paying to transfer points.

Buy Points

The Points Guy values Southwest points at 1.35 cents each (April 2024). I have bought points once to have enough points to get a discounted flight. For me, it rarely makes sense to buy Southwest points (or most travel rewards points), even when they are discounted.

Charge Everything, Payoff Monthly Balance

The most important part of using credit card travel rewards is charging only what you can and will pay off every month. Do not carry a balance to earn travel rewards.

Get the Right Card to Help You Fly for Free and Achieve Your Travel Goals

There are numerous travel-rewards credit cards out there and plenty of travel experts have their favorites. At this point in my travel journey, the Southwest card makes sense as part of my household’s financial picture and it helps us achieve some of our travel goals. It is one of three travel credit cards my household uses because it allows us to save money on nearly every trip we take. We can fly for free or get free hotel nights using a travel-rewards credit card.

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