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15,000 points · 3 months timeline

How to Visit Anywhere in the US for Free with Credit Card Points

Quick Answer

Flying to Anywhere in the US costs 15,000 points for economy or 40,000 points for business class (round-trip). The best route is Southwest or United domestic. Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (60,000 bonus after $4,000 in 3 months) and reach your goal in 3 months.

Point Cost Breakdown

CategoryPoints RequiredEst. Cash ValueBest Program
Flights (Economy RT)15,000$300–$400Southwest or United domestic
Flights (Business RT)40,000$1000+Southwest or United domestic
Hotels (per night)8,000$100–$200HYATT (Hyatt Place / Hyatt House)

Fastest Path: 3 months to Anywhere in the US

Timeline: 3 months
  1. 1Apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and spend $4,000 in 3 months to earn 60,000 bonus points
  2. 2Transfer your points to Southwest Rapid Rewards
  3. 3Search for award space on Southwest or United domestic
  4. 4Book your flights — 15,000 points for economy RT, 40,000 for business class
  5. 5Book Hyatt Place / Hyatt House using HYATT points (8,000 points/night)

Why Chase Sapphire Preferred + Southwest or United domestic Is the Best Route

Southwest Rapid Rewards is the most straightforward domestic and near-international program. Unlike traditional airline miles (which have complex award charts), Southwest's points track ticket prices — meaning you pay the same percentage regardless of flight distance. For Anywhere in the US, Southwest's direct service and no-change-fee policy make it the most flexible way to use points, especially for last-minute bookings.

Southwest awards are revenue-based, so they're most valuable when cash prices are highest. Monitor southwest.com for your route and watch for 'Wanna Get Away' fare drops — these are typically the lowest-price options with the fewest points required. Once you transfer Chase points to Southwest Rapid Rewards, points don't expire as long as you have account activity. Southwest also has no change or cancellation fees, making it safe to book early even if plans might shift.

The bottom line: Anywhere in the US requires approximately 15,000 points for economy or 40,000 for business class. With Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (60,000 bonus points), you can reach this goal in 3 months. The points value delivered — compared to cash fares of $200–$400+ for economy — makes this one of the most powerful travel strategies available.

Where to Stay Free in Anywhere in the US

Hyatt Place / Hyatt House

HYATT · Best hotel redemption in Anywhere in the US

8,000 pts
per night

Hyatt Place / Hyatt House offers an exceptional points redemption in Anywhere in the US. At 8,000 HYATT points per night, you're getting outstanding value compared to cash rates in the area. Hyatt Place/House are 5-12K/night. Great for road trips and domestic travel. Transfer your credit card points to HYATT and book directly at hyatt.com — award availability for most properties in Anywhere in the US is generally strong outside peak holiday periods.

Redeem HYATTpoints →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many points do I need to fly anywhere in the US for free?

Domestic US flights start at approximately 15,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points one-way, or 10,000–25,000 United MileagePlus miles depending on distance. Short routes (under 2 hours) often cost under 10,000 points. Southwest's Wanna Get Away awards offer the most value for budget domestic travel.

What's the best credit card for domestic US travel?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred (60,000-point bonus) is ideal — it transfers to both United and Southwest, covering virtually all domestic routes. For frequent domestic travelers, a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card earns toward the Companion Pass (80,000 points in a calendar year), which lets a companion fly free all year.

How do I book domestic flights with Southwest or United points?

For Southwest: transfer Chase to Southwest Rapid Rewards at 1:1, then book at southwest.com with 'Pay with points' selected. For United: transfer Chase to United MileagePlus, then search united.com with miles. Southwest has no change fees, making it ideal for flexible travel plans.

Is domestic travel worth using points for?

Yes, especially for last-minute bookings or peak travel periods (Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break) when cash prices spike. A $300 last-minute domestic flight at 15,000 Southwest points delivers 2¢ per point. For budget/off-peak travel, cash or credit card purchase with points earn is often better than award redemptions.

Start Your Personalized Roadmap to Anywhere in the US

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