How I Got a Free Flight to Colombia With Credit Card Points (Beginner Guide)

My last flight to Medellin cost $0. Not a typo. Here's the card, the strategy, and the math.

The Strategy

Card: Chase Sapphire Preferred (Annual fee: $95)

Sign-up bonus: 100,000 points

What that gets you: A round-trip flight to Colombia (or most of South America) valued at $400-500

Time to earn: 3-4 months of normal spending

The Math

Here's why this actually works:

Sign-up bonus: 100,000 points
Points value: 1 point = $0.01 (conservative estimate)
Total value: $1,000
Flight to Colombia: $400-500 RT
Annual fee: $95
Net value: $905 in year one

You're literally getting $900+ in value in the first year. That's not a trick — that's just how credit card bonuses work.

Step by Step: How to Actually Do This

Step 1: Apply for the card

Chase Sapphire Preferred. $95 annual fee. You're doing this because the sign-up bonus is worth way more than the fee.

Step 2: Meet the minimum spend naturally

The catch: You need to spend $4,000 in 3 months to get the 100,000 points. But here's the thing — you're probably already spending that.

Rent: $950 (if you can pay with card)
Groceries: $300/month
Gas/Uber: $200/month
Phone bill: $60/month
Subscriptions: $50/month
Random stuff: $100/month

That's $1,660/month. You'll hit $4,000 in 2.5 months without even trying.

IMPORTANT: Do NOT spend extra money just to hit the minimum. That defeats the purpose. Only use the card for stuff you're already buying.

Step 3: Collect your points

After 3 months, you have 100,000 points. Chase gives you these in your account automatically.

Step 4: Redeem for the flight

Log into your Chase account. Go to "Ultimate Rewards." Click "Travel." Book a flight. You can use points for any airline, any route.

I booked JFK to Medellin for 50,000 points (round-trip). Cost: $0.

The Reality Check

What you need to know:

You MUST pay your balance in FULL every month. If you carry a balance, you're paying interest that wipes out any bonus value. This is non-negotiable.
Only do this if you have decent credit. If your credit is bad, the card might not approve you.
The annual fee hits every year. In year 2, you're paying $95 for the card. Make sure you're getting value from ongoing rewards.
This is not a "get rich quick" scheme. It's a legitimate way to get a free flight if you're responsible with credit.

The hard truth: If you can't pay your balance in full, DO NOT GET THIS CARD. Credit card debt is worse than paying for flights. Period. I'm not joking about this.

Real Example: My Medellin Trip

I applied for the Sapphire Preferred in January.

By March, I had 100,000 points.

I redeemed 50,000 points for a round-trip to Medellin (valued at $450).

Cost to me: $95 annual fee.

Value I got: $450 flight + $200+ in ongoing rewards throughout the year.

Net: I paid $95 and got a $650+ value. That's a solid deal if you're responsible with credit.

Other Cards Worth Considering

(If you already have the Sapphire or want options)

Chase Freedom Unlimited

No annual fee
Sign-up bonus: 200 cash back (basically $200)
Best for: People who want to avoid annual fees
Downside: Lower sign-up bonus than Sapphire

American Express Gold

Annual fee: $250
Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points
Best for: People who fly and eat out a lot (extra points for both)
Downside: Higher annual fee, need higher spend to justify it

Capital One Venture X

Annual fee: $395
Sign-up bonus: 75,000 points
Best for: Frequent travelers with higher budgets
Downside: Expensive. Only worth it if you're traveling multiple times per year.

The Bottom Line

Credit card points are one of the most underutilized budget travel hacks. If you're responsible with credit, the Chase Sapphire Preferred basically pays for a free international flight every year. That's not hyperbole — that's the actual math.

But here's the caveat: Only do this if you can pay your balance in full. If you're carrying credit card debt, paying it off is more important than any flight hack.

Use responsibly. Travel smart.