Free Flights are Awesome

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One of the most expensive aspects of any vacation is typically going to be the flights. On top of this, it's truly the most painful item you have to purchase. I think that is because at least when you are purchasing other aspects of your vacation such as a hotel or a cruise or event, those are all fun things that you are looking forward to. The flight though, well, that part of your vacation is usually not the highlight. Let's be honest, it's the suck part of any vacation. It is a necessary evil, but that doesn't reduce the suck factor any. Because of this, I wanted to put together a couple ways to get those flights for free. We will talk about getting them cheaper in another post, but this one is all about FREE. I love Free. It's awesome.

• Earn Points Wisely: I always plan my credit card usage, as far as which credit card I use, based on what I need for my next vacation. Once I know what I am going to need in points to get that free flight, I figure out which card is going to give me the biggest bang for my spending and then try to use that card exclusively until I have what I need. I recently switched over to the Chase Sapphire card, (and no, I'm not sponsored by them), just because they seem to have the best overall rewards program for what I spend money on, but also because I like the flexibility of being able to shop a lot of different airlines.
• Specific Credit Cards: If you travel on a specific airline a lot and that airline is also the one that you will take to your vacation destination then it works out the same because they will double the points on purchases with their airline, but honestly, that probably isn't the case with most people. Stick to a card that you can use on any airline.
• Exchange Points: Most credit cards and hotels will exchange their points for airline points. Go into the shopping section for their rewards program and you can typically either exchange them or get gift cards for the airline you want. Just make sure it makes sense mathematically before you start handing over your points.
• Super Saver Fares: Know when the flights are going to first be sold. That is when they will offer some type of "saver rate" for using points. This is how I got our last flight to Rome for 20,000 points each way instead of the normal 50,000. I knew what day they were going on sale and was on the website that day.
• Get Bumped: If you do travel frequently, and the airline you travel on is the one you will take for your vacation, allow them to bump you a couple times. Almost every week I travel they are asking for volunteers to take a later flight in exchange for flight credit. I wouldn't do it for $200 but they often go up to $400 or $500. You only have to do that a couple times to get free round trip airfare for you and your companion.

As a little bonus blog, I am including the following....

How to Increase Your Chances and Get the Most Out Of Being Bumped?

• Fly at Peak Times: Monday and Fridays are the most common times to get bumped. The beginning and end of the business day are the most common times.
• Get there early: They know if they are over booked and will try to resolve it well before the flight starts boarding so get there about an hour before your flight.
• Pack Light: Pack light enough to carry your bags on, but pack extra underwear in case you have to stay the night.
• Don't Settle: Know what to accept. If it's a short flight and you are guaranteed to get on a flight in two hours, then $200 is a reasonable offer and they will most likely get a volunteer quickly. If your flight is going into Vegas on a Friday night and you have to wait 4 or 5 hours, but that isn't even guaranteed, you need to hold out for 4 to 500 dollars. They will always start off low.
• Counter their Offer: If they start off at a number you know is low, then counter. Tell them you can't do it for $200 but would for $300. If they say they can't, then ask them to let you know if no one volunteers and they change their mind. Odds are, if there aren't multiple volunteers up there with you, they will give it to you. Another good counter is asking for 1st class on the flight they are putting you on. If they have seats available, it's a good cost free compromise for them and you get upgraded.