How to Get Free Airline Tickets
Real tips for getting free plane tickets online.
By BrianX | February 15th, 2004If buying discount airline tickets isn’t enough for you, perhaps you should consider free plane tickets! This sounds like a dream come true but it’s not. Getting free plane tickets is actually not that difficult. Just read this article and get started on your next vacation flight or business trip!
Free Plane Tickets
Every single day hundreds of people get free plane tickets from major airlines (American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, Air Canada, jetBlue, SouthWest Airlines, and so on). Even if the airline companies lose money, they figure they can make it back using the method described here.
Why would airlines give away free tickets?
More importantly how does it work?! First, you must understand that all major airlines overbook their flights. For example, if an American Airlines plane carries 100 people, they will sell 110 tickets, assuming that about 10% of them won’t show up. A lot of people actually miss their flights because they arrived at the airport late and missed the plane, were too ill to travel, or simply changed their mind at the last minute.
Since airlines want to maximize their profit while simultaneously not piss people off, they have devised a brilliant plan. If a flight is overbooked and everyone shows up (or at least one person beyond the plane’s seating capacity), they have to kick people off the plane. In order to keep passengers satisfied, they offer financial incentives.
Just before boarding, the airline representatives will announce that the plane is oversold and ask if anyone wants to step off. People with the most flexible schedules will agree and as a “thank you” the airline will typically reward the person with hundreds of dollars in airline ticket coupons. These vouchers are usually good for one year and up to about $500 off your next flight. That’s quite the discount, especially if you paid less for the ticket in the first place. Yes, they actually give you more than you paid to compensate you for the inconvenience.
How to optimize your chances of getting free plane tickets
One way to increase the odds of you being the one chosen to step off the plane is to volunteer at the desk, before they even make an announcement. This can be very effective, especially during peak travel periods such as December 23 & 24th. You will arrive at your destination a little later and have a free second flight on your back pocket!
Oh, and when do you get to where you want to go? The airline will place you on the next flight out or a flight that requires a transfer. Sometimes you can get a voucher for $300 for a 1 hour wait. Not bad at all! For the record, I have been in exactly this situation and received the voucher. Trust me, it’s great!
Note that these free plane ticket deals rarely include a free companion airline ticket meaning that if you are traveling with someone, they won’t be included unless enough people showed up for the flight and they needed multiple people to step off the plane. Even then, other people may have stepped forward and asked to be on the list of passengers wanting to be booted in exchange for a free plane ticket voucher. So two free airline tickets is not out of the question, you just have to play your cards right and hope a couple of people don’t show up to your overbooked plane!
One Last Way to Get Free Airline Tickets
There are a few completely different ways to get free plane tickets. They all revolve around free airline ticket promotions. Credit card airline tickets are essentially free if you spend a certain amount on the card. There are various promotions such a Wendy’s and Polident which gave away free tickets. Free airline tickets for military personnel are sometimes available as well.
More Free Discount Travel Tips
The BrianX Travel Guide provides a number of articles to help you get the most out of traveling. Check out how to book a discount hotel room and how to get really cheap flights as well. Looking for something more exquisite? Try the private jets guide.
I want to travel around Europe from China .Could I get any free tickect ?
January 8, 2010 at 1:21 am
hello ,i’m a chinese girl,i want to have a trip to another side of the world.But i don’t have enough money to afford it.So if you need someone work on line,please send me a email,thank you.
January 10, 2010 at 3:48 am
Was wondering if you could advise me on getting good fares from Boston, MA to Lawton, OK our daughter is graduating bootcamp and we’d love to go to the graduation ceremony but I’m seeing flights for over $800 for two. The dates would be March 11, 2100 and return March 14, 2010. What tricks do you have to offer.
Thanks,
Sue
January 26, 2010 at 12:53 pm
I want to travel to Trinidad & Tobago , how can i get free airline tickets?
January 27, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Hello, I am trying to get home to San Francisco to see my mother . I haven’t been home in 28yrs. I am now homeless here in Raleigh NC. Please help me get there.
Thank You
Kat
February 2, 2010 at 7:09 am
hello how can i get free plane tickets? roundtrip cebu to davao back n fourth???
February 2, 2010 at 10:41 pm
I just want to get home and never come back to Denver!!!! So Please can you be able to help me please Thank You Wesley McKee
February 4, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Hi..I have terminal breast cancer and want to take my son, partner and her son to Hawaii as the last trip I could take, but having cancer has bankrupted me..how can I get 4 free tickets to Hawaii and even 2 rooms at Hyatt in Maui or at least a discount..any advice. Thanks..would mean everything to me.
February 4, 2010 at 4:25 pm
I am one of the poorperson in the world.I want to travel all over the world if you want to help me give a chance to travel by your finance support
February 10, 2010 at 8:11 am
Hi, i am deaf and pastor of the deaf in cameroun. I am cameroonian. I just need 2 free airfare ticket to travel to canada for church meeting attendance in july 2010. And the world federation of the deaf meeting in south africa on june 2010? For i never travel abroad. I nkow nothing abroad.
So please can you be able to help me as deaf person?
Thank you for your response
February 10, 2010 at 10:34 am
I desperately need to go to Casablanca Morocco to see my fiance. we have not seen each other in 14 months. I need a round trip plane ticket, any help would be beyond grateful for us!
February 12, 2010 at 10:10 am
This is arequest. I would greatly appreciate getting a free r/t ticket to Aguadilla’ P.R in Jet Blue. I have 2 brothers that are ill and I dont know if I will be able to see them. I am 75 yrs old and lost my husband last year. Please respond asap, so I can make arrangements..thanks…Carmen
February 12, 2010 at 11:31 am
Hi,I am a mother of one he’s 10yrs old.A mother’s wish is to gave her child the best always and that is to see the Olympic . This chance happen only once in a lifetime experience and it’s happening here..here..in our own bacyard.So I’m taking my chances,coz I believe that dreams do come true.Thanks so much…Mary Ann
February 18, 2010 at 11:50 am
Hello, I am in need of airline tickets form Sacramento, CA to New Jersey. In March. My son is going to be graduating from Cape May Coast Guard Boot Camp on March 26, 2010. I do not have much money. And I really need to see my son Graduate. I really would appreciate anyones help.
Thank You
February 20, 2010 at 1:42 pm
I just moved to Alaska with my husband who is in the military. They paid for us to get here; however, I dont have the money to get back to my sisters wedding. How do I get cheaper or free 4 roundtrip tickets?
February 21, 2010 at 12:13 am
Hello.
I am in need of 1 roundtrip airline ticket from Sacramento, CA to East Coast. My son has went to Coast Guard Boot Camp in Cape May, New Jersey. He will be Graduating on March 26, 2010. I work full-time. I do not make a lot. I can not afford a plane ticket. I have never missed anything for my kids. I do not want to miss this time in my sons life. I am so Proud of him. If there is anyone out there able to help me, it would be so appreciated.
February 21, 2010 at 5:30 pm
i am in need to travel to uk to complete my education.If there is anyone out there able to help me, it would be so appreciated. thanks
February 23, 2010 at 5:20 am
Good very Good!
March 7, 2010 at 1:30 pm