OK. I don't know if this works, but I trust the editor of BestFares.com and he seems to have it all figured out. It does involve a series of credit card applications, which may not be doable for some. I don't carry a lot of credit cards - my purse is heavy enough with all my books and travel-size toiletries, not to mention my state quarter collection. But things are rough out there for travelers and if you can figure out a way to take a free trip, I say go for it because the airlines are certainly thinking up new ways to make us pay.