Going with Points

6 ways to earn a free flight fast

If you want a free flight, I've got some good news: The points and miles earned from a credit card's signup bonus can be enough to redeem for a roundtrip ticket.

Below are some of the best signup bonuses available now. Or, as I like to say it, the best ways to earn a free flight!

Just remember-it usually takes three to four months for the points and miles earned from a signup bonus to be credited to your account, so plan accordingly.

To inspire you, I've included some ideas for how you could redeem those points or miles based on real Going with Points deals we've sent. Some of these points deals are a few weeks old, so consider them more of an amuse-bouche of what's possible.

The best ways to get a free flight

If you want a free flight, here are six credit cards to help you get there.

Earn 60k points on a card that earns bonus points on food

Not only does this card have a limited-time welcome offer, this card remains a workhorse for earning points for the long term. If you love to eat, this card will earn 4X points per dollar at restaurants* and US supermarkets†.

Welcome offer: Earn 60k points and earn up to $100 back after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first 6 months of opening. (Offer ends 11/6/24. Terms apply.)
Extra perks: Over $400 in statement credits to use at eligible restaurants**
What it can get you: Two roundtrip economy tickets to Turks and Caicos
How? Transfer 60k points to SkyMiles

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*Up to $50,000 annually, then 1X points.
†Up to $25,000 annually, then 1X points.
** Enrollment required.

Earn 75k miles with a card that gets you airport lounge access

Sure, there's no such thing as a free lunch (or free access to airport lounges), but this card offers one of the most affordable ways to get airport lounge access compared to other premium cards on the market.

Welcome offer: 75K bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening
Extra perks: Lounge access, plus a statement credit up to $120 for an application to Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
What it can get you: Two roundtrip economy tickets to Athens
How? Transfer 70k miles to Emirates

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Earn 80k miles on an airline card that waives the annual fee for the first year

If you regularly fly the domestic airline that both J.D. Power and The Points Guy rank as the best US airline, this card waives its annual fee for the first year. Upon renewal, the annual fee is $150 (see rates and fees; terms apply).

Welcome offer: Earn 80k bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your card in your first 6 months of card membership. (Offer ends 10/23/24. Terms apply.)
Extra perks: One free checked bag per person
What it can get you: 1-2 roundtrip economy tickets to Tokyo
How? Use the airline miles to book a flight directly with the airline

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Tip: If you like this airline, this card and this card are running limited-time offers where you can get more bonus miles after signing up for the card and meeting the spending requirements. (Offer ends 10/23/24. Terms apply.)

Earn 75k miles on a card that earns 2X points on everything

This card is one of the top two I recommend to beginners because it earns a flat 2X miles per dollar on everything and only has a $95 annual fee. Although many of the card's airline transfer partners are not household names, you get a lot value when transferring your miles to its international airline partners.

Welcome offer: 75k bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening
Extra perks: A statement credit for an application to Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
What it can get you: One roundtrip economy seat to Tahiti
How? Transfer 75k miles to Qantas

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Earn 90k points on a business travel credit card

If you're a small business owner or entrepreneur, this business travel credit card offers a stellar welcome. Its $95 annual fee makes it easy to hold onto, and its bonus earning categories make it valuable for the long haul.

Welcome offer: Earn 90K points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
What it can get you: One roundtrip, business class ticket to Brussels
How? Transfer 90K-140K points to Avianca

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Earn 60k points on my favorite travel card

No list of travel credit card signup bonuses would be complete without my favorite card. This offer isn't quite as high as others on this list, but you can squeeze a lot of value from those bonus points. The reason I love this card is that its range of transfer partners are among the best options among all credit card issuers.

Welcome offer: Get a $300 travel credit in the travel portal and earn 60k bonus points after spending $4,000 on your card in the first 3 months of account opening
Extra perks: $50 hotel credit when you reserve a hotel room through the travel portal and pay with this card
What it can get you: Two roundtrip economy seats to Paris
How? Transfer 60K points to Flying Blue

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With expert:

Kurt Adams

Kurt is a writer with too many credit cards in his wallet. Before becoming a credit card points pro, he wrote personal finance and small business content. A graduate of Princeton, he lives in New York City.

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