For many Americas there are two things that keep us from visiting Thailand, time off from work and the cost of the flight.

Let’s face it, if you only have 5 days of vacation of year, you probably aren’t going to be flying 15 hours one way to Bangkok and then flying back in a few days. I’m not saying it won’t be worth it, but it’s a little on the extreme side.

However, even if you can get the time off, the rising cost of flights is another matter which needs to be considered.

A few years ago I was able to fly round-trip to Thailand for 800usd. Now the price is around 1500 – 2000usd.

Today I’m going to share with you the strategy that I’ve been using to fly for free. I’ve used the strategy to:

1- Fly to the United States at least once a year for under 100usd

-AND-

2- In January I flew from Bangkok to Argentina and then from Brazil to Bangkok a month later. The flights would normally cost me over 4,000usd, however I paid just over 300usd.

How to Fly to Thailand For FREE

This idea probably isn’t new to you, however with the increase in airfare; it’s one you may want to consider.

Sign Up Bonuses For Credit Cards

Credit card companies are offering VERY lucrative bonuses for new sign-ups. If you have okay credit and never had that specific card before, you’ll probably get approved.

*This website has the best information about how to maximize credit card points and keep you updated on new signup bonuses: http://www.thepointsguy.com/

Here are my top 3 favorite credit card offers:

1- Chase Sapphire Preferred

Hands down my favorite card. Once you receive this card, you have to spend 3,000usd dollars and you get 40,000 Chase Ultimate Reward Points. Which can be transferred to 40,000 United Airline miles.

Most one way flights from America to Bangkok cost 32,500 miles from United Airlines.

*Annual fee of 95usd is waved the first year. Just cancel this card after having it for 10 months.

 

2- United Explorer Card

United Airline miles are the best miles you can have when traveling to Asia. Most one way flights from America to Bangkok cost 32,500 miles from United Airlines.

I used this card in combination with another card to book a one way flight from Bangkok to Buenos Aires which costs 47,500 miles. If I paid in cash, this ticket one way ticket would cost me over: 2,000usd!

This is a breakdown of how the card works. You get 25,000 miles for your first purchase, 5,000 miles for adding an authorize user, and 10,000 miles if you spend over 25,000usd in purchases.

I simply did this. Apply for the card, and it sent to my sister who lives in the United States, spent one dollar for a kindle book on Amazon, and created an authorized user under my dog’s name. Since I don’t spend 25k in a year, I didn’t take advantage of the last part.

Two weeks later I had 30,000 United Miles to spend.

Since a one way flight is 32,500 miles. You can either make 2,500usd worth in random purchases to get enough miles, or purchase an additional 3,000 miles at http://www.ualmiles.com for 112usd.

Note, taxes and fees per one-way ticket is 136usd.

*Annual fee of 95usd is waved the first year. Just cancel this card after having it for 10 months.

 

Starwoods Preferred Guest Credit Card from America Express

Known as one of the best credit card points to have. With this card you will receive 10,000 points after your first purchase and an additional 15,000 points after spending 5,000usd.

Total of 25,000 free Starwoods Points.

Although I tend to use these points for free hotels, many people use them for airline miles. Starwoods has a great transfer ratio to over 30 different airlines. Many of which will earn you a free one way ticket for transferring these points to their airline miles.

*Annual fee of 65usd is waved the first year. Just cancel this card after having it for 10 months.

 

A Few Tips For Airlines Miles and Points:

- If you don’t spend enough to meet the minimum spending requirement the points bonus. Simply purchase something from Costco Online using your Visa or Mastercard and when you return it you will get the return amount in cash. So as far is your credit card is concerned, it is still a valid purchase.

- Many people are concerned that getting a new credit card will hurt your credit score. This is actually opposite of what really happens. The best thing you can do for your credit score is only one or two new lines of credit a year.

- American Airline miles are not very useful for flights to Bangkok. I have not once been able to book a flight through them. However, they are great for traveling within the United States.

- British Airways miles are similar to American Airlines, useless for flights to Bangkok because the taxes are nearly 600usd.

- Hands down the best miles / points to have when flying to Asia is United Airline miles.

- US Airways is pretty good, but one way tickets costs the same as round-trip tickets. Good if you know your return date. Not good if you like flexibility.

- Starwoods American Express points are one of the best points to have since you can transfer them to many different airlines and hotels.

- If you get denied for any cards, call the “reconsideration line” for the credit card. Many times you can get them to approve you by just being a nice guy.