Credit cards with free flights or travel credits

A small selection of credit cards come with an annual flight voucher or travel credit that you can use to pay for eligible bookings. As well as giving you the chance to enjoy a free flight every year, this perk can help offset the cost of the card’s annual fee.

Use this guide to compare credit cards that offer flights or travel credits and find out how you can enjoy this perk. We also go through the key details you need to consider so you can find a credit card that works for you.

American Express Credit Card Offer

American Express Explorer Credit Card

Receive 90,000 bonus Membership Rewards points
Plus a $300 Statement Credit

Offer ends 03 May 2021

Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply

American Express Credit Card Offer

The American Express Explorer Credit Card offers 90,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points, a $300 statement credit and up to 2 points per $1 spent, uncapped.

• Receive 90,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points and a $300 statement credit when you apply as a new customer, are approved and spend $3,000 in the first 3 months.
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases and 1 point per $1 spent with government bodies.
• Yearly $400 travel credit and complimentary travel insurance when you pay for your return trip on your card.
• Annual fee of $395 and purchase interest of 20.74% p.a.

Go to Site

More info

Compare credit cards that offer flights or travel credits

Sort by:

Name	Product	Bonus points	Rewards program	Rewards points per $ spent	Purchase rate	Annual fee
American Express Explorer Credit Card		90,000	Membership Rewards	2	20.74% p.a.	$395	Get 90,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points and $300 back when you spend $3,000 on your new card in the first 3 months.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Velocity Platinum Card		50,000	Velocity Frequent Flyer	1.25	20.74% p.a.	$375	Get 50,000 bonus Velocity Points when you spend $3,000 for the first 3 months. Plus, 100 Status Credits and luxury travel perks.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card		N/A	N/A	1	20.74% p.a.	$195	Get $200 travel credit per year to spend on eligible flights, accommodation, car hire and more. Plus, earn up to 3 points per $1 on eligible spending.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card		55,000	Qantas Frequent Flyer	1.25	20.74% p.a.	$450	Receive 55,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,000 within the first 3 months. Plus, a $450 Qantas Travel Credit each year.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Platinum Card		200,000	Membership Rewards Ascent Premium	2.25	N/A	$1,450	Offer Extended: 150,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months. Additional 50,000 points in the 2nd year.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

loading

Compare up to 4 providers

Clear selection

Compare

The Finder list of credit cards with free flights or travel credits

Compare these credit cards that offer you a free flight or travel credit.

• American Express Velocity Platinum Card. Get a complimentary Virgin Australia return economy domestic flight after your first card spend each anniversary year, plus 4 airport lounge passes.
• Qantas American Express Ultimate Card. Receive an introductory 55,000 bonus Qantas points and $450 Qantas Travel Credit every year.
• Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card. This credit card offers a $129 Virgin Australia Gift Voucher if you meet the spend criteria.
• American Express Explorer Credit Card. This card offers a $400 Travel Credit to book through American Express Travel every year you have the card.

How can I get a free flight or travel credit through my credit card?

If you have a credit card that gives you a free flight or an annual travel credit, you’ll usually have to meet some requirements to use this perk. These vary between cards but some of the most common include:

• Annual benefit. Complimentary flight or travel vouchers are usually an annual benefit and can’t be rolled over for use in future years. Typically you’ll have 12 months to use the credit before it expires.
• Spending requirement. In most cases, you’ll need to meet a spending requirement before you can use your flight or travel credit. This could be a minimum spend, such as $500 on everyday purchases, a retail purchase or payment of your annual fee.
• Voucher request. Some credit cards that offer complimentary flight vouchers require you to request the voucher before you can use it. Make sure you're aware of this requirement and give yourself enough time to request and use the voucher before it expires.
• Eligible airline or travel partners. The complimentary flight or travel credit can only be used with an eligible airline or travel partner. For example, you may get a $129 flight voucher that you can only use with Virgin Australia, or $450 travel credit that you can use for bookings made through American Express.
• Booking conditions. You usually need to book in advance through a particular service. For example, you may need to redeem the credit directly through an associated airline or through the credit card company’s travel booking service.

Your credit card terms and conditions should include details of the flight or travel voucher requirements, so make sure you read this section of the product disclosure statement or booklet carefully. Alternatively, you can call your credit card company to find out exactly what steps you need to take to get your free flight or travel credit.

What other features can I get with a credit card that offers a free flight?

As well as flights or travel credit, these are some of the other features you could enjoy on one of these credit cards:

• Reward or frequent flyer points. Most credit cards that offer complimentary flights or travel vouchers also earn points per $1 spent on eligible purchases, which you could then redeem for rewards such as flights, shopping or gift cards.
• Airport lounge access. Premium credit cards that offer complimentary flights or travel vouchers could also offer you airport lounge access so you can start your trip in style.
• Travel insurance. This perk helps you save on buying travel insurance for your trip. Usually you’ll have to pay for a certain amount of your trip with the card to activate the travel insurance, and the complimentary flight or travel credit may not count towards this spend requirement. So check your credit card’s insurance booklet for full details of how to activate the cover.
• Purchase insurance. Many of these credit cards offer complimentary insurance for items you buy with the card. Cover can range from protection against accidental damage, theft or loss to extended warranties and price guarantees.
• Interest-free days. If you pay your account balance in full by the due date on each statement, this benefit will give you a way to make interest-free purchases for a set number of days in the next statement period. This can help you keep your card costs down so you get more value out of the account than what you spend on it.

How much does a free flight credit card cost?

The rates and fees for these credit cards determine how much value you’ll get from them. To work out if one of these cards will offer you value for money, here are the key details to consider:

• The annual fee. This is the biggest upfront expense you’ll have with a credit card that offers flights or travel credit. Ideally, look for a card that has an annual fee worth the same amount as your flight or travel credit so that they cancel each other out. If that’s not the case, make sure the other benefits on the card are worth more than what you’re paying on the annual fee.
• Purchase interest rate. This is the interest rate typically charged when you carry a balance on your credit card. Cards that offer complimentary flights or travel credit usually have higher standard variable purchase rates than other options. You can avoid this cost altogether by paying your balance in full every month.
• Foreign transaction fee. If you pay with your credit card overseas or online with an international retailer, you’ll typically pay a fee of between 3% and 3.4% of the total transaction amount.

If you’re interested in getting a credit card that offers free flights or a travel credit each year, start by comparing different options based on your spending habits and goals. Remember to check the eligibility requirements, as well as the conditions around the travel voucher, so you can apply for a card that works for you.
Images: Shutterstock