How to Fly First Class for Free Again and Again

Flying first class is a dream for many people, but not everyone can afford to spend thousands of dollars on a single flight. What if we told you there is a way to fly first class for free, not just once, but over and over again? Yes, it is possible, and you don’t need incredible negotiation skills or dumb luck to do it. Anyone can use this strategy, and we will tell you everything you need to know so you can decide if it’s the right travel strategy for you.

The Secret to Flying First Class for Free

If you’re like most people, you probably know that you can book a free flight using frequent flyer miles. And if you accumulate enough miles, you can even fly first class for free. But earning enough miles by flying can take a long time, and it’s not always easy. Luckily, there is a way to get hundreds of thousands of frequent flyer miles without flying. This is where the powerful travel strategy called “credit card churning” comes into play.

What is credit card churning?

The credit card industry is highly competitive, and credit card companies are willing to offer huge frequent flyer mile bonuses if you sign up for their card. Credit card churning is a special process that involves applying for multiple credit cards to earn as many points or miles as possible. Churners spend the minimum amount required to get the bonus, move on to the next card, and repeat the process again and again. Some people routinely have over 15 credit cards on rotation, allowing them to earn more than 1 million frequent flyer miles in a year.

The Best Way to Fly for Free

Frequent flyer mile bonuses are the best way to fly for free because you can use them to book flights anywhere and at any time. Applying for one or two new cards can be enough to get enough frequent flyer miles for multiple round-trip flights, and there is no need to go crazy and get 15+ new cards unless you want to literally earn enough miles to fly around the world multiple times.

Where to Get Started

If you’re interested in credit card churning, there are services that can do all the research for you. A great one to start with is The Credit Card Fly, a free email newsletter that sends you a short weekly update of the best credit card deals for earning frequent flyer miles, free hotel stays, and rewards points. Once you know which deals to apply for, the 3-step process is simple:

1. Apply for a new credit card with a big frequent flyer mile bonus.
2. Spend the minimum amount needed to get the bonus (if there is a spending requirement).
3. Redeem your miles and fly anywhere.

Does Credit Card Churning Hurt Your Credit Score?

The answer is both yes and no. When you apply for a new credit card, there is an inquiry on your account, which usually drops your score by a few points. However, new inquiries only make up 10% of your overall credit score, so the drop is minimal. On the flip side, getting a new credit card also increases your overall credit limit, which can help your credit utilization ratio. A lower credit utilization ratio helps your credit score. Churners who practice good credit habits and pay their balance in full each month often see their score increase over time.

How to Know if Credit Card Churning Will Work for You

Your credit score should be 700 or above if you want to follow this strategy. If you’re planning on applying for a bunch of cards to get tons of frequent flyer miles, then you should probably have a credit score above 720. This strategy will only work if you pay your balance in full each month and carry no debt on your new cards. If you cannot practice responsible credit habits, this travel strategy will be useless.

Hit the Skies

Flying first class can be expensive if you pay for it outright. But if you’re willing to put in a little time and effort, credit card churning can help you fly first class for free again and again. Follow the tips we discussed above and start earning frequent flyer miles so you can experience the luxury of first class without breaking the bank.