Travel is a multi-billion dollar industry, so it’s no wonder there is now an entire sub-industry dedicated to helping consumers fly for free or cheap. While some reward programs take months to translate into free flights, there are some methods that will make you a frequent free flyer in little or no time.
1) Get Bumped and Fly on a Different Flight
Overbooked flights are becoming increasingly more common. Why? Because airlines often oversell tickets, assuming that some people simply won’t show up. When everyone does show up, expectant passengers often wind up frustrated at the idea of missing or getting bumped from their flight. However, if you have some flexibility in your schedule, you can turn that headache into money in the bank. Airline employees try to avoid angry customers by asking for volunteers to give up their seats in exchange for a free flight or a free upgrade. If you have some room in your schedule, you can identify packed flights and purposefully book them with the intention of getting a free voucher. The busiest flights are usually those to and from popular business destinations at the beginning and end of each week. To increase your chances, arrive at the gate early and ask if they need volunteers to forfeit their seats.
