Free (or discounted flights)

[Duck143]

I convinced my DH to get AP's for 2019-2020, so now I want to go 2x in May both years. I want to try to get free (or as discounted as I can) flights for the 4 of us for the 2020 flight. So it gives me a year and a half to earn enough points to buy the flights. Does anyone have any tricks or have the best credit card for travel points?

 

[larissawbb]

Southwest has a 40,000 sign up bonus. You can also use their shopping portal to earn additional points for online purchases. This includes Walmart.com with free two day shipping. They also have a website that you can earn points with by taking surveys. I haven’t tried it out.

 

[Duck143]

Thanks!!!! I had a southwest card in the past and cancelled it. I wonder if I sign up for a new one if I can qualify for the bonus points. Any one have any experience?

 

[Marionnette]

With Southwest, if you earn 110K RR points in a year, you qualify for a companion pass for the remainder of that year and all of the next year. Bonuses from the credit card sign ups count toward the 110K, as do any RR points earned from their shopping portal or from taking advantage of offers from their partners.

 

[disneedee]

Post your question over on the I love credit cards thread. There is great advice about traveling for free. Credit card bonuses are great but you can do better than the current sw bonus.

 

[Duck143]

Post your question over on the I love credit cards thread. There is great advice about traveling for free. Credit card bonuses are great but you can do better than the current sw bonus.

Thanks, I'll try that too!

 

[WVMomof3]

Thanks!!!! I had a southwest card in the past and cancelled it. I wonder if I sign up for a new one if I can qualify for the bonus points. Any one have any experience?

It must be 24 months since your last bonus for you to qualify again.

 

[Duck143]

It must be 24 months since your last bonus for you to qualify again.

This will work for DH for 2019 trip and then for me for 2020!

 

[WVMomof3]

This will work for DH for 2019 trip and then for me for 2020!

I see you joined us on the I love credit card thread. You said that you hadn't opened any cards in the last 24 months. So I am confused on why you would have to wait till 2020 to get the card implying that you got the bonus this year. Or maybe I am misunderstanding why you are waiting.

 

[Duck143]

I see you joined us on the I love credit card thread. You said that you hadn't opened any cards in the last 24 months. So I am confused on why you would have to wait till 2020 to get the card implying that you got the bonus this year. Or maybe I am misunderstanding why you are waiting.

You know what? I was off, you are right! I opened a SW card Jan of 2017 and cancelled it after we booked our flights this year. I have to wait a bit until I can open and be eligible for points. My DH has been much longer than mine though, so he should be able to get the card and get points for a 2019 trip. I'm ok with waiting, because I want to get free flights for 2020 too.

 

[WVMomof3]

You know what? I was off, you are right! I opened a SW card Jan of 2017 and cancelled it after we booked our flights this year. I have to wait a bit until I can open and be eligible for points. My DH has been much longer than mine though, so he should be able to get the card and get points for a 2019 trip. I'm ok with waiting, because I want to get free flights for 2020 too.

Ok so you have to wait till probably April or May of 2019 depending on when your bonus hit. If you both could get companion passes that would be great help. The companion pass will be good for the remainder of the year you earn it plus all of the next year. I got it last year and it has been great. Hoping my DH can earn it early next year so we will have again for 2 more years. Though they are making it more difficult by adding dumb rules about only having one personal SW card at a time. Makes good business sense for them but bad for us!

 

[Duck143]

Ok so you have to wait till probably April or May of 2019 depending on when your bonus hit. If you both could get companion passes that would be great help. The companion pass will be good for the remainder of the year you earn it plus all of the next year. I got it last year and it has been great. Hoping my DH can earn it early next year so we will have again for 2 more years. Though they are making it more difficult by adding dumb rules about only having one personal SW card at a time. Makes good business sense for them but bad for us!

So it has to be 24 months from the statement the bonus points hit? I will look into exactly when our first bonus points hit. That's awesome that you earned the pass!

 

[Pembo]

I signed up for SW in the fall and got 60000 points. Check to see who's name was the primary on your last card and then use the other person this time then you don't have to worry about the 24 month rule.

 

[LYSE]

Yup check out the credit card thread, we tried to write a simplified article on using credit cards to get to MCO for free...you may find it useful: https://www.mainstreetchat.com/2018/01/14/how-to-get-free-flights-to-orlando/

It can definitely be as simple or complicated as you want to make it! Of course the best redemptions usually take more work on your part.

 

[ojeight]

I love my JetBlue Card. I flew three round trips last year and it didn't cost me a cent. I also get free checked luggage for me and travel companions. I plan on flying to Disney in September and it wont cost me anything either.

 

[Duck143]

I love my JetBlue Card. I flew three round trips last year and it didn't cost me a cent. I also get free checked luggage for me and travel companions. I plan on flying to Disney in September and it wont cost me anything either.

Was this by getting bonus points with opening a new card?

 

[Duck143]

Yup check out the credit card thread, we tried to write a simplified article on using credit cards to get to MCO for free...you may find it useful: https://www.mainstreetchat.com/2018/01/14/how-to-get-free-flights-to-orlando/

It can definitely be as simple or complicated as you want to make it! Of course the best redemptions usually take more work on your part.

Thank you! I'm going to read the article!!

 

[ojeight]

Was this by getting bonus points with opening a new card?

The bonus is enough to get me one round trip from New York to Orlando. I use the card and pay it off in full every month. As long as you don't carry a balance, I'm a firm believer in using rewards cards and getting the perks. I actually have not used the card that much in the past few months as i know I'm good for my next few trips. I'm earning the points on other cards. I use several different cards a month and reap the rewards. If you are spending the money anyway, reap the rewards. If you are not going to be paying the cards off in full every month, this may not be the best strategy.

 

[Duck143]

The bonus is enough to get me one round trip from New York to Orlando. I use the card and pay it off in full every month. As long as you don't carry a balance, I'm a firm believer in using rewards cards and getting the perks. I actually have not used the card that much in the past few months as i know I'm good for my next few trips. I'm earning the points on other cards. I use several different cards a month and reap the rewards. If you are spending the money anyway, reap the rewards. If you are not going to be paying the cards off in full every month, this may not be the best strategy.

I agree! I never carry a balance on any credit cards. Not worth the rewards if you're going to pay their interest rates!!

 

[LYSE]

Thank you! I'm going to read the article!!

Your Welcome! I'm hope you find it useful.