As travel becomes more expensive, many people are wondering whether they can continue to afford it. While it is possible to get good deals on hotels, airfare continues to be expensive. Fortunately, there are two ways to get free airline tickets: frequent flier miles, and getting voluntarily bumped.
Enroll in a frequent flier program. Choose an airline that has frequent flights to your desired destinations. For example, United, Delta, Continental and American Airlines all have frequent flier programs affiliated with international carriers.
Register for a credit card affiliated with your frequent flier program. Some cards give very high mileage bonuses for enrollment. Chase has credit cards affiliated with United Airlines. American Airlines has Citibank and Diner's club affiliates. Delta has a number of mileage-earning American Express cards.
Enroll in hotel programs, supermarket programs, car rental and dining programs affiliated with your airline program. Check the airline's website for their online shopping program, which gives mileage for purchases at certain vendors. Hilton, Marriott, Hertz and National have programs affiliated with multiple airlines. Safeway Supermarkets has a grocery program affiliated with United.
Plan a longer route to your destination. This will add miles to your account. For example, instead of taking a nonstop from New York to California, add a stopover in Chicago.
Read the airline's monthly newsletter, which will have information about mileage bonuses and reduced mileage requirements to specific destinations.
Arrive at the airport as early as possible.
Go to the check-in desk and ask whether the flight is overbooked. If so, ask about compensation for getting voluntarily bumped. The airline will either offer a free ticket or travel vouchers. In some cases, the vouchers are a better deal, because you actually earn miles when using them.
Stay close to the check-in desk and wait for the agent to call your name.
