Start with a Travel-Focused Credit Card
The most straightforward path to earning flights from spending is through a travel credit card. These cards come in two main types: co-branded airline cards and general travel cards with flexible points. Co-branded cards, like the IndiGo 6E Rewards cards from Kotak,
HDFC, or Axis, or the Air India SBI Card, directly earn you points or miles with a specific airline. These are ideal if you are loyal to one carrier. For instance, spending with an IndiGo co-branded card earns you 'BluChips' that can be used to book IndiGo flights. General travel cards, such as the Axis Bank Atlas or HDFC Infinia, offer more flexibility. You accumulate reward points that can be transferred to multiple airline partners, including international carriers like Singapore Airlines or British Airways. The key is to choose a card that aligns with your spending habits and travel preferences and use it for as many of your regular purchases as possible, from utility bills to supermarket shopping.
The UPI Strategy: Linking Credit to Your Scans
The claim of turning UPI spend into flight vouchers requires a specific approach. Standard UPI transactions from your bank account do not earn travel points. The magic happens when you link a RuPay credit card to your UPI app (like PhonePe, Google Pay, or Paytm). This allows you to pay via QR code, but the charge goes to your credit card instead of your bank account. By using a RuPay credit card that earns travel points, every UPI payment becomes an opportunity to accumulate rewards. For example, the Scapia Federal RuPay credit card is designed for travellers and offers rewards on UPI payments made through its app. While direct UPI-to-flight-voucher conversion is not a standard feature, some platforms like CRED allow you to redeem coins earned from UPI payments for travel-related vouchers. The most effective strategy is to use a travel-focused RuPay credit card for your UPI spends, accumulating points that can later be redeemed for flights.
Maximise Earnings Through Shopping Portals
A frequently missed trick is to use bank and airline shopping portals. Banks like HDFC (SmartBuy) and Axis Bank have online portals that feature popular e-commerce sites like Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra. By starting your shopping journey on the bank's portal and clicking through to the retailer, you can earn accelerated reward points — sometimes up to 5x or 10x the normal rate. Similarly, airline loyalty programs often have their own partner networks. You can earn miles not just by flying, but also by booking hotels, renting cars, or shopping with affiliated brands. Always check your credit card or airline's partner list before making a significant purchase online. This simple extra step can dramatically increase the speed at which you accumulate points for that free flight.
Understand the Art of Points Transfer and Redemption
Earning points is only half the journey; redeeming them wisely is what secures the free flight. Converting credit card points to airline miles often provides significantly more value than redeeming them for cash or merchandise. For example, 10,000 bank reward points might get you a ₹2,500 voucher, but those same points transferred to an airline could be worth much more when redeemed for a flight, especially in business class. To do this, you first need to be a member of the airline's frequent flyer program, such as Air India's Maharaja Club or Vistara's Club Vistara. Then, you log in to your bank's portal and transfer your accumulated points to your frequent flyer account. Be mindful of transfer ratios (e.g., 1 bank point = 1 air mile) and any processing time. Flexibility with travel dates is also crucial, as award seats can be limited.
