Flying Business Class for Free(ish)

Welcome to another week of the Leverage Letter! 

Ever walk onto a plane, spot those cushy seats up front, and think, “Wow, it must be nice to just kick back in business class”?

 Maybe you’re wondering what it’s like to get priority boarding, sip on a drink before takeoff, and stretch out in a seat that practically turns into a bed. 

The only catch: who wants to shell out thousands of dollars for that privilege?

I’ve got some good news for you. You don’t have to drain your bank account to do it. 

In fact, I’ve been flying business class for almost free for over seven years, all thanks to points and miles – let's talk about it.

I know it might sound too good to be true, but stick with me—I’m all about no-nonsense, credit advice that actually works.

First things first: why bother with all this? 

Flying in business class (or even first class) isn’t just about looking fancy. 

If you’re a frequent traveler—whether for work or pleasure—it can be a total game-changer. 

Think about it:

Normally, these perks come with a hefty price tag. But what if you could pay next to nothing? That’s where travel hacking comes in. 

I’ve redeemed more than $300,000 in travel value simply by turning everyday purchases into points and miles.

 No shady tactics. No living off ramen noodles while pumping every cent into a credit card. Just smart, strategic spending on things I already buy.

It all boils down to leveraging credit and stacking rewards. 

Instead of pulling out your debit card for groceries or gas or whatever, you use the right credit card to earn points. Keep doing that—wisely, of course—and the points pile up. Before you know it, you can trade those points for flights and hotel stays.

Sound like a lot of work? Maybe at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s like riding a bike. 

And it’s so worth it. Because why pay full price when you can pay (almost) nothing?

Travel hacking is also an incredible way to keep your finances efficient. After all, you’re already spending the money. Why not have it work harder for you?

You might be thinking, “This sounds fantastic, but how do I actually do it?” 

Let’s lay out the steps in simple terms. No confusion, no fluff.

This is your foundation. You want cards that align with how you already spend. 

Love dining out and using food delivery apps? Grab a card that gives you 4X points on dining. Drive a lot or spend a ton on gas? There’s a card for that, too. Run a business that spends on ads, shipping, or travel? 

Business credit cards can score you even more points. The best ones have:

Now that you have the right plastic, put it to work.

You can earn millions of points, but if you don’t redeem them wisely, you’ll miss out on real value.

Award seat availability isn’t the same every day, and the best deals get scooped up quickly.

If you run a business (even a small side hustle), you’ve got another trick up your sleeve.

Picture this: You leave home, breeze through check-in, and step into the Polaris Lounge at SFO (that’s fancy). 

You sip on a latte, maybe nibble a snack, then head to your flight, where a cozy, lie-flat United Polaris seat awaits.

 Next stop? Singapore. Cost to you in actual dollars? Barely anything beyond taxes. 

All because you used points the right way. This is 100% legit, and I promise you can do it, too.

So you’ve got a stack of points and your dream trip in mind… now what? 

Booking can be tricky if you’re not sure how to navigate airline websites or partner redemptions. Don’t stress—there’s help.

Want more proof this works worldwide? Let’s say you want to fly from New York to Tokyo in business class. Tickets can cost $5,000 or more if you just punch your card info into an airline’s booking site. But you might only need around 100,000 points for the same seat, depending on the program. And if you’re savvy with alliances like Star Alliance (featuring airlines such as ANA and United) or Oneworld (with Japan Airlines, British Airways, etc.), you could even fly out on one airline and back on another—picking the best possible schedule for you.

If you’re nodding along, here’s what you do next:

Want an even more detailed breakdown? Check out our award travel guide. It’s a straightforward how-to on maximizing your points in ways that practically guarantee you’ll never pay full price for a flight again.

 If your goal is to fund business growth or just treat yourself to a bit of luxury, we’ve got you covered with personalized tips and strategies.

Look, this isn’t rocket science, but it does take a little effort and know-how. 

Once you start, you’ll wonder why you ever used a debit card for those big grocery runs or monthly utility bills. 

Turning everyday spending into near-free travel is one of those “best-kept secrets” that’s really not all that secret—people just don’t talk about it enough in plain language.

And that’s what we’re here for: “Your smart, no-nonsense friend who will send you weekly news on leveraging credit for business, travel, and life.” We’ve got your back. 

If you’re still skeptical, think about it this way: someone is getting these awesome rewards—why not you? Instead of letting the banks profit off your everyday spending, you can flip the script and use their rewards programs to live your best travel life.

So give it a shot. Forward this email to a friend who’s always complaining about economy seats (you know, the one who always ends up with a stiff neck?). 

Spread the word—flying in comfort doesn’t have to be expensive. After all, it’s just about being strategic with what you already do.

Ready to leverage your finances for better travel? Let’s make it happen. 

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s Leverage Letter, and remember to keep an eye on your inbox for more no-nonsense credit tips to help you travel smarter, spend wiser, and live larger.

Until next time,
Ade O.