Difference between revisions of "Fly for Free"

[[Category: Reduce Travel Cost]]

#Agree to be bumped. Major airlines tend to overbook their flights to compensate for passengers who may not show up. If more passengers show up than can fit on the airplane, the airline will ask for volunteers to take a different flight. To show their gratitude, they usually offer travel vouchers you can use on future flights. Just wait for an airline representative to announce that your flight has been overbooked, and then head to the counter to ask about being bumped.<ref name="rf1">http://www.citynetmagazine.com/travel-guide/free-airline-tickets.html</ref>

#*If you do agree to be bumped for an offer, get the offer in writing. Ask the agent to write it down, sign it and maybe add their identification number. This will help you in case there is any question about your offer.<ref name="rf2">http://www.ifly.com/getting-bumped</ref>

#Volunteer to be bumped. As soon as you arrive to your flight terminal, go ahead and let the gate attendant know that you would be willing to be bumped if necessary. This way, instead of asking for volunteers, they can call your name if they end up needing to bump someone. Always be polite with the gate attendants so they are more willing to pick you to be bumped.<ref name="rf3">http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/11/08/fly-free-10-tips-to-earn-air-travel-vouchers/</ref>

#*Some airlines will ask you at baggage check if you are willing to be bumped, and others have an option at the electronic check-in where you can mark if you are willing to be bumped.<ref name="rf4">http://travelisfree.com/2012/03/05/how-to-get-bumped-from-flights/</ref>

#Get bumped by traveling at high peak times. Airports are busiest during Friday mornings and Sunday evenings or around holidays. Traveling when airlines tend to be overbooked will increase your chances of getting bumped and receiving airline vouchers.<ref name="rf3" />

#*Try to fly to popular destinations and international airports. These flights are also likely to be overbooked. The more popular the airport, the more crowded the flights tend to be.<ref name="rf5">http://www.moneycrashers.com/get-free-flights-travel/</ref>

#Stay with one airline. It is easier to accumulate flying vouchers and frequent flyer miles if you keep using the same airline. By showing your loyalty, you may be eligible for extra perks and upgrades too.<ref name="rf3" />

#*The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card offered by American Express offers a free companion voucher each year for their customers that you can apply toward a flight ticket.<ref name="rf5" />

#Earn miles by using your credit card. If you choose a credit card that offers miles based on the money you spend, then you can end up flying for free. Once you have a travel rewards credit card with mileage rewards, use the card on all of your purchases. This is the fastest way to accumulate free miles. Just be sure to pay more than your minimum monthly payment each month or else your miles earned will be worth a fraction of the interest you will accumulate.<ref name="rf5" />

#*For a typical rewards program, you may receive {{convert|1|mi|adj=on}} for every $1 spent.<ref name="rf5" />

#*Delta offers a MileagePlus program that has been named the world's best frequent flyer program by Global Traveler magazine.<ref name="rf6">https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/mileageplus/default.aspx</ref>

#Earn flyer miles by shopping at online malls. Some airlines partner with certain popular department sores, home improvement stores, and other major online retailers where customers can earn extra miles when they make purchases. These malls can be found by checking on the airline's website. Here are several stores that have offered miles for purchases in the past:<ref name="rf7">http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/3801194/preserve-expiring-frequent-flyer-miles-with-online-shopping-and-get-bonus-miles-to-boot/</ref>

#*Sing up for an airline's email list so you can be notified when they have promotional deals.<ref name="rf5" />

#*For example, TD Ameritrade and Fidelity gave away frequent flyer miles for those who opened a non retirement brokerage account.<ref name="rf8">http://creditcardforum.com/blog/how-to-get-free-airline-tickets/</ref>

#Work for an airline. Flight crews and most other airline employees receive free flight benefits. The perks range depending on the airline. Some airlines give two free flight tickets for their employees each year, and other airlines give discounted tickets that can be as much as a 90% reduction off the full ticket price.<ref name="rf9">http://www.jobmonkey.com/airline/why_airlines/</ref>

#*Southwest airline allows employees, spouses, eligible dependent children, and parents to fly on Southwest planes for free.<ref name="rf10">https://www.southwest.com/html/about-southwest/careers/benefits.html</ref>

#*American Airlines allow all of their employees to travel for free in coach class.<ref name="rf11">http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2014/01/american-airlines-employees-fly-free-other-changes-to-employee-travel.html/</ref>

#Find someone who works for an airline. Some airlines will offer their employees flight vouchers for family and friends. In recent years, airlines have tightened their policies on these types of vouchers, but they are still out there.<ref name="rf11" />

#*Southwest Airlines has a guest pass program that gives unregistered friends and family members of employees a chance to fly for free.<ref name="rf10" />

#*American Airlines has a program that allows employees to register family members who can then fly for free.<ref name="rf11" />  

#Fly standby. Some airline companies give their employees buddy passes to hand out to family and friends. However, the passes are only good as standby tickets. This means that you can only fly if there is an empty seat on the plane.<ref name="rf12">http://traveltips.usatoday.com/delta-buddy-passes-work-61193.html</ref>

#*Delta offers buddy passes to their employees.<ref name="rf12" />

#*When using a buddy pass, you are seen as a representative of the airline. You are required to have a relaxed dress code, and maintain professional behavior.<ref name="rf12" />