How I Fly First Class for Free

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People often ask me about how I travel and I thought it would be fun to share a bit of a “day in the life” from one of my recent travel days!

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It’s 5:30am and I’m in the American Express Centurion Lounge at the DCA airport.

Today, I’m flying out to Houston, Texas for a quick trip to attend a mastermind meeting with my business mentor.

I’m flying on American Airlines and I just got the text notification that my seat has been upgraded to first class.

It’s going to be a good day.

When I land in Houston, I’ll get an Uber to take me to the hotel where I will be staying for 2 nights, for free.

You might be asking, how?

And my answer would be – business credit!

Since 2015, I’ve had several business credit cards that not only provide me with a reliable five-figure line of credit, but they also allow me to accumulate frequent flier miles and hotel points so I can travel for “free.”

I haven’t actually had to pay for a flight in YEARS.

I even use my airline miles to purchase flights for my family and team members!

My business credit cards also give me access to perks like:

  • Free upgrades to business and first class
  • Free checked bags
  • Complimentary access to lounges in pretty much every airport in the world

Curious about which credit cards I use? I’m not an affiliate for them or anything, but these are the main cards I have that I love:

  • The American Airlines AA Advantage Mastercard
  • The American Express Business Platinum Card

If you don’t have a business credit card yet, I strongly suggest you apply for one ASAP so you can get the money you need to invest in your business AND start racking up those airline miles, hotel points and other perks!

I recommend choosing cards with your favorite airlines that have the best perks and new member miles bonus (some cards will give you up to 75,000 bonus miles just for joining!). And – see if you can get at least one AMEX.

Although you may not get a five-figure credit limit right away (I certainly didn’t), it’s important to start where you are so you can work your way up to where you want to be.

Because one thing I’ve learned about personal finances and business cash flow over the years is this:

It’s better to have credit and not need it, than to need it and not have it.