Flying first-class isn’t just about comfort—it’s a travel experience that includes priority boarding, extra baggage allowances, gourmet meals, luxury lounges, and ample legroom. But the price tag? Often thousands of dollars, especially for international trips.
Thankfully, you don’t have to be a frequent flyer or a corporate road warrior to score these premium perks. With the right travel rewards credit card, you can earn enough points or miles to book those coveted first-class or business-class seats—sometimes entirely free (minus taxes and fees).
Here are the top 10 credit cards for free first-class flights in 2025, that can help you fly first-class without paying first-class prices.
10 Best Credit Cards to Get Free First-Class Flights in the U.S.
- Welcome Bonus: 100,000 points and $500 travel credit after $5,000 in spending in first 3 months
- Earn Rate: 8x on all purchases through Chase Travel, 4x on flight and hotels booked direct, 3x on dining worldwide, 1x on all other purchases
- Annual Fee: $795
- Best For: Frequent travelers seeking luxury perks
Why It’s Great for First-Class Flights:
Points are worth 50% more when used through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. You also get Priority Pass lounge access, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck/Global Entry credit, and premium travel protections.
- Welcome Bonus: 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after $8,000 spent in 6 months
- Earn Rate: 5x points on flights booked directly or through AmexTravel, 5x on prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel, 1x on other purchases
- Annual Fee: $695
- Best For: High-end travelers who want elite perks and premium redemption options
Why It’s Great for First-Class Flights:
Unlock first-class flights with points by transferring to airline partners like Singapore Airlines, British Airways, and ANA. You’ll also enjoy Centurion Lounge access and elite status with Hilton and Marriott.
- Welcome Bonus: 70,000 AAdvantage® miles after $7,000 in purchases in first 3 months
- Earn Rate: 10x on eligible hotels and car rentals, 4x on eligible American Airlines purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Annual Fee: $595
- Best For: American Airlines loyalists seeking Admirals Club access
Why It’s Great for First-Class Flights:
If you frequently fly American Airlines, this card helps you build miles fast and includes access to the Admirals Club. Use miles for premium cabin redemptions on domestic or international routes.
- Welcome Bonus: Matches all miles earned in the first year (no cap)
- Earn Rate: 1.5x miles on every dollar
- Annual Fee: $0
- Best For: Beginners who want simple, fee-free rewards
Why It’s Great for First-Class Flights:
No annual fee and Discover matches all your first-year miles. While it doesn’t support airline transfers, you can redeem miles to cover past travel expenses—including premium flights—making it great for no-fuss rewards.
- Welcome Bonus: 75,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
- Earn Rate: 5x points on travel, 3x on dining, streaming, and online grocery shopping, 2x on other travel purchases
- Annual Fee: $95
- Best For: Versatile airline transfer partners and flexible travel redemptions
Why It’s Great for First-Class Flights:
Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer 1:1 to leading frequent flyer programs like United MileagePlus, Air France/KLMs Flying Blue, and Emirates Skywards. Booking through the portal also gets you 25% more value per point.
- Welcome Bonus: 75,000 miles after $4,000 spent in 3 months
- Earn Rate: 2x miles on every purchase, 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Annual Fee: $95
- Best For: Simple earning structure and airline transfer options
Why It’s Great for First-Class Flights:
Transfer miles to over 15 airline partners including Turkish Airlines, Avianca LifeMiles, and Emirates. You can also use miles to “erase” past travel purchases, including premium cabin fares.
- Welcome Bonus: 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after $6,000 spent in 6 months
- Earn Rate: 4x at restaurants, 3x on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel
- Annual Fee: $250
- Best For: Earning big on dining and airfare
Why It’s Great for First-Class Flights:
Amex points are some of the most valuable for transferring to premium airlines like ANA, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines—perfect for luxurious international first-class experiences.
- Welcome Bonus: 25,000 online bonus points after $1,000 in purchases in 90 days
- Earn Rate: 1.5 points per $1 spent
- Annual Fee: $0
- Best For: Fee-free everyday use and general travel redemptions
Why It’s Great for First-Class Flights:
While this card lacks airline transfer partners, it allows you to redeem points toward any travel expense—including first-class ticket purchases. It’s ideal for those who want straightforward rewards without blackout dates.
- Welcome Bonus: 60,000 MileagePlus® miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
- Earn Rate: 7x on United flights, 5x on hotel stay purchased through United Hotels, 2x on all other eligible United purchases, 2x on dining and other hotel stays booked directly, 1x elsewhere
- Annual Fee: $0 intro for first year, then $150
- Best For: United Airlines flyers seeking perks and premium seat upgrades
Why It’s Great for First-Class Flights:
Cardholders get priority boarding and two one-time United Club℠ passes annually. You can use earned MileagePlus® miles for first or business class redemptions on United and Star Alliance partners like Lufthansa or ANA. Plus, you get access to expanded award seat availability.
- Welcome Bonus: 50,000 bonus miles + Companion Fare after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days
- Earn Rate: 3x miles on Alaska Airlines purchases; 2x on gas, transit, and streaming
- Annual Fee: $95
- Best For: West Coast travelers and Alaska Airlines loyalists
Why It’s Great for First-Class Flights:
Miles can be redeemed for premium seats on Alaska Airlines or on partners like Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Qantas. The annual Companion Fare benefit allows you to book a second ticket (including first class) for just taxes and fees starting at $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23).
Tips for Booking First-Class Seats with Points or Miles
Be flexible with travel dates and times—off-peak dates have more availability.
Use airline portals and alliance partners (like Star Alliance or Oneworld) to unlock hidden seat deals.
Transfer points wisely: Check award charts and transfer ratios before converting points.
Set alerts: Tools like AwardHacker, Point.Me, or ExpertFlyer can help you find premium cabin availability.
Plan in advance: First-class seats using miles are often limited and book up fast.
Final Thoughts: Let Your Credit Card Upgrade Your Seat
Flying first class is no longer just for executives and celebrities. With the right travel rewards credit card, smart planning, and a little flexibility, you can experience all the luxury and perks of first-class travel—without paying full fare.
Whether you prefer a no-fee card like Discover it® Miles or a luxury-tier option like the Amex Platinum, there’s a card tailored to your lifestyle and travel goals.
Before applying, make sure to compare annual fees, point values, airline partners, and welcome bonuses to find the best fit for you. Then get ready to board your next flight from the front of the plane.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How can credit cards help you fly first class for free?
Travel credit cards help you fly first class for free by offering rewards points or miles for every dollar you spend. These rewards can be redeemed through travel portals or transferred to airline loyalty programs, allowing you to book premium cabin seats. Many cards also offer welcome bonuses that, when redeemed strategically, are enough to cover the full cost of a first-class ticket—minus mandatory taxes and fees. Some cards even boost point value when booking through their travel platforms, further stretching your rewards.
Which travel credit card is best for booking first-class international flights?
The best credit card for booking international first-class flights is often the Platinum Card® from American Express, thanks to its generous welcome bonus and the ability to transfer points to high-value airline partners like Singapore Airlines, ANA, and Emirates. These airlines are known for their luxurious international first-class cabins. Amex Membership Rewards points are also highly versatile, making them ideal for premium international travel redemptions.
Do you need good credit to get a travel rewards card for premium flights?
Yes, most travel rewards credit cards that offer premium travel perks—like first-class flight redemptions—require a good to excellent credit score, typically 700 or higher. These cards often come with high credit limits, significant welcome bonuses, and luxury travel benefits, making them accessible primarily to borrowers with strong credit histories and reliable income.
Can you really get a first-class ticket without spending thousands of dollars?
Yes, it’s possible to get a first-class ticket without spending thousands by leveraging sign-up bonuses, ongoing rewards, and strategic point transfers from travel credit cards. While you may still have to pay taxes and fees (usually under $100 to $300), many travelers use points to cover the actual fare. Planning ahead, booking through airline alliances, and using tools that track award availability can increase your chances of securing these premium tickets for little to no out-of-pocket cost.
Which credit card offers the most flexible airline transfer options?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® and Chase Sapphire Reserve® cards are considered some of the most flexible when it comes to airline point transfers. Both cards allow 1:1 transfers to top frequent flyer programs like United MileagePlus, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Emirates Skywards, and more. This flexibility makes it easier to find first-class availability across multiple airlines.
Are there no-annual-fee cards that still help with first-class travel?
Yes, there are a few no-annual-fee cards that can still help you cover the cost of first-class travel. For example, the Discover it® Miles and Bank of America® Travel Rewards cards both allow you to redeem miles or points toward any travel expense. While they don’t offer airline transfer options or luxury perks, they’re great for beginners who want to offset the cost of premium travel without paying an annual fee.
Is it better to redeem points through a travel portal or transfer to an airline?
It depends on your travel goals and which card you have. If you’re using cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you get more value (up to 1.5x per point) by booking through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. However, transferring points to airline partners can often yield higher redemption value for first-class tickets, especially when booking international flights. Checking airline award charts and availability before deciding can help you maximize your points.
What is the Companion Fare and how can it help you fly first class?
The Companion Fare is a benefit offered by select credit cards, such as the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature®, that allows you to book a second ticket for a companion at a heavily discounted rate—usually just taxes and fees. This benefit can be used on first-class tickets as well, making it a valuable tool for couples or families who want to travel in luxury without doubling the cost.
How far in advance should you book first-class tickets with miles?
Booking at least 6 to 11 months in advance is often recommended when using miles for first-class tickets. Premium cabin award availability is limited and tends to be booked quickly, especially on popular routes. Setting fare alerts and monitoring availability on airline or alliance websites can help you secure the best deals before they’re gone.
Do all credit cards offer access to airport lounges?
No, not all travel credit cards offer airport lounge access. Premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, The Platinum Card® from American Express, and Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® offer lounge perks, including access to Priority Pass lounges, Centurion Lounges, or airline-branded clubs. These benefits can significantly enhance the luxury of your travel experience, especially when flying first class.
Featured image credit: Aviation Business Middle East (aviationbusinessme.com)
