Free Credit Cards for Earning Miles: 2 Real Options (2026)
Free credit cards for earning miles: PAYBACK AMEX, DM PAYBACK AMEX & Miles & More Blue compared. Which one is actually worth it.
Quick answer: 2 completely free credit cards for earning miles: PAYBACK AMEX (€0, 4,000 PAYBACK points) and DM PAYBACK AMEX (€0, 4,000 PAYBACK points, double dm points). Miles & More Blue (€5.50/month) is NOT free, but it’s the cheapest M&M card. Strategy: collect PAYBACK, wait for a transfer bonus (20-25%), then convert 1:1 into M&M miles.
You want to earn miles but don’t want to pay an annual fee? Understandable. The good news: there are credit cards that let you build up flight miles completely free of charge. The bad news: there aren’t many.
In this guide I’ll walk you through the 3 realistic options - 2 of them completely free, 1 very cheap.
The 3 options at a glance
| Card | Annual fee | Bonus | Earns | Mile value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAYBACK AMEX* | Free | 4,000 PAYBACK points | PAYBACK points | 1-4 cents/point |
| DM PAYBACK AMEX* | Free | 4,000 PAYBACK points | PAYBACK points | 1-4 cents/point |
| M&M Blue | €5.50/month | 500 miles | Miles & More miles | 1-3 cents/mile |
Important: Only the two PAYBACK AMEX cards are truly free. The Miles & More Blue costs €5.50/month - but it’s the cheapest card in the M&M system.
Option 1: PAYBACK AMEX (completely free)
The PAYBACK AMEX* is the best free card for earning miles - and my recommendation for all beginners.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | Free |
| Welcome bonus | 4,000 PAYBACK points |
| Earn rate | 1 point per €3 of card spend |
| Point expiration protection | Yes (any spend = activity) |
| Bonus deadline | 14 June 2026 |
Why the PAYBACK AMEX is the best free choice
PAYBACK points = flight miles. Most people don’t know this: PAYBACK points can be converted 1:1 into Miles & More miles. 10,000 PAYBACK points become 10,000 Miles & More miles.
And it gets better: 1-2 times a year there are transfer bonuses of 20-25%. Then 10,000 points suddenly become 12,500 miles - for free.
Here’s how the path to flight miles works:
- Earn PAYBACK points on every purchase with the PAYBACK AMEX*
- Also activate PAYBACK eCoupons (3x to 10x points at partners)
- Collect points and wait for a transfer bonus (usually January or June)
- Transfer to Miles & More with a 20-25% bonus
- Redeem miles for award flights
Sample calculation: €1,000 in monthly spending = about 4,000 points/year from the card + eCoupons and partner bonuses can double or triple that. Realistic over one year: 10,000-20,000 PAYBACK points with a free card.
More on this: Earning PAYBACK points: 11 tips & partners | PAYBACK to M&M transfer bonus guide
Pros
- Completely free - forever, no hidden fees
- 4,000 PAYBACK points as a welcome bonus (until 14 June 2026)
- PAYBACK points on every card transaction - not just at PAYBACK partners
- Transfer to Miles & More with a regular bonus (20-25% extra)
- Expiration protection: every card transaction resets the 36-month timer
Cons
- Only 1 point per €3 (lowest earn rate)
- No Priority Pass, no hotel status
- PAYBACK points first have to be transferred to M&M (no direct mile earning)
- American Express isn’t accepted everywhere
Option 2: DM PAYBACK AMEX (completely free)
The DM PAYBACK AMEX* has the same basic terms as the regular PAYBACK AMEX - but with one decisive extra.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | Free |
| Welcome bonus | 4,000 PAYBACK points |
| Earn rate | 1 point per €3 |
| Perk at dm | Double base points (1 point per €1 instead of per €2) |
| Bonus deadline | 14 June 2026 |
The decisive difference
At dm, the DM PAYBACK AMEX earns you double base points: 1 point per €1 instead of the usual 1 point per €2. If you shop at dm regularly, you collect noticeably faster this way.
Option 3: Miles & More Blue (cheapest M&M card)
The Miles & More Blue is not free (€5.50/month), but it’s the cheapest card that earns Miles & More miles directly.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | €5.50/month (€66/year) |
| Welcome bonus | 500 miles |
| Earn rate | 1 mile per €2 |
| Mile expiration protection | Yes (any spend = activity) |
When the M&M Blue makes sense
The M&M Blue earns Miles & More miles directly - without the detour via PAYBACK. That’s the decisive advantage:
- Mile expiration protection: Every card transaction counts as activity. As long as you use the card, your Miles & More miles never expire. That alone can save thousands of miles.
- Direct miles: No transfer needed, no waiting for bonus promotions
- Mastercard: Accepted almost everywhere (broader than AMEX)
Pros
- Direct Miles & More miles on every purchase
- Mile expiration protection (the most important reason for many)
- Mastercard acceptance (broader than AMEX)
- No minimum spend for the welcome bonus
- Business variant: M&M Blue Business with a 1,000-mile bonus
Cons
- €5.50/month annual fee - not free
- Only 1 mile per €2 (weak earn rate)
- Small welcome bonus (500 miles)
- No Priority Pass, no hotel status
Apply for M&M Blue Personal | Apply for M&M Blue Business
Comparison: PAYBACK AMEX vs Miles & More Blue
| Criterion | PAYBACK AMEX | M&M Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | Free | €5.50/month |
| Welcome bonus | 4,000 PAYBACK points | 500 miles |
| Earn rate | 1 point/€3 | 1 mile/€2 |
| Transfer needed? | Yes (PAYBACK → M&M) | No (direct miles) |
| Transfer bonus | 20-25% extra (1-2x/year) | - |
| Acceptance | AMEX (limited) | Mastercard (broad) |
| Expiration protection | PAYBACK points | Miles & More miles |
My advice: Get both. The PAYBACK AMEX* is free and collects points that you transfer to M&M with a bonus. The M&M Blue protects your Miles & More miles from expiring and works everywhere AMEX isn’t accepted.
The best strategy with free cards
Step 1: Apply for the PAYBACK AMEX
Start with the free PAYBACK AMEX*. Grab the 4,000 PAYBACK points as a welcome bonus (until 14 June 2026).
Step 2: Pay with the card everywhere
Every €3 of spend earns 1 PAYBACK point. Also activate eCoupons and earn extra points at PAYBACK partners (EDEKA, dm, Aral, Amazon).
Step 3: Collect points and wait for a transfer bonus
Don’t transfer right away! Wait for the transfer bonus promotion (20-25% extra, usually January or June). More on this: PAYBACK to M&M transfer bonus guide
Step 4: Transfer to Miles & More with a bonus
10,000 points + 25% bonus = 12,500 Miles & More miles. For free.
Step 5: Redeem miles for award flights
Redeem the miles for Business or First Class on long-haul routes - that’s where the value is highest. Guide: Booking Business Class with miles
Pro tip: With the right strategy, you can collect over 50,000 points per year with free cards and PAYBACK partners alone. You’ll find the specific multipliers, optimal purchase timing, and the points machine for maximum yield in the Premium Handbook.
When an upgrade is worth it
Free cards are a perfect entry point. But beyond a certain point, an upgrade pays off:
| If you… | Then it’s worth… |
|---|---|
| Want full MR flexibility cheaply | AMEX Green* (€5/month, free from year 2, 10,000 MR) – Review |
| Spend more than €1,000/month | AMEX Gold* (€240, 50,000 MR, 1 MR/€) |
| Want lounge access | AMEX Platinum* (Priority Pass + Lufthansa lounges) |
| Want the maximum | AMEX Platinum* (€720, 85,000 MR) |
| Want more M&M miles | M&M Gold (€138/year, 1 mile/€2) |
The complete comparison: The 5 best credit cards for earning miles 2026
My experience: how I got started
I started exactly this way: with the free PAYBACK AMEX*, zero risk, zero fees. Grabbed the welcome bonus and then consistently pulled out the card on every purchase.
After 6 months I had enough points for a first transfer to Miles & More - with a 25% bonus. That was the moment I realized: this really works. Shortly after, the AMEX Gold* came along - and then things really took off.
But starting with a free card was exactly right. No risk, no pressure, just try it out.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Which free credit card earns flight miles?
The PAYBACK AMEX* is completely free and earns PAYBACK points, which can be converted 1:1 into Miles & More miles. During transfer bonus promotions (1-2x per year, 20-25% extra), the value rises even further. There is no free card that earns flight miles directly.
Is the Miles & More Blue card free?
No, the Miles & More Blue costs €5.50 per month (€66/year). It’s the cheapest card in the Miles & More system, but not free. The only completely free cards are the PAYBACK AMEX* and the DM PAYBACK AMEX*.
Can I really fly Business Class with a free card?
Yes, but it takes longer. With the free PAYBACK AMEX* and consistent collecting at PAYBACK partners, 10,000-20,000 points per year are realistic. With a transfer bonus, those become 12,500-25,000 Miles & More miles. For a Business Class flight within Europe you need about 30,000-50,000 miles - reachable in 2-3 years with free cards.
Is the PAYBACK AMEX worth it if I already have a PAYBACK card?
Yes, absolutely. The regular PAYBACK card only earns points at PAYBACK partners. The PAYBACK AMEX* earns on every card transaction - at the supermarket, the gas station, online too. Plus: 4,000 PAYBACK points as a welcome bonus (until 14 June 2026).
What’s better: PAYBACK AMEX or DM PAYBACK AMEX?
Both cards earn PAYBACK points for free with 4,000 PAYBACK points as a bonus (until 14 June 2026) and 1 point per €3 of card spend. The difference: the DM PAYBACK AMEX* gives you double base points at dm. If you shop at dm regularly, get the DM variant.
Do I need the Miles & More Blue if I have the PAYBACK AMEX?
The M&M Blue makes sense as expiration protection for your Miles & More miles. If you regularly transfer PAYBACK points to M&M, the Blue protects your miles from expiring (36-month rule). On top of that, it’s a Mastercard and works everywhere AMEX isn’t accepted.
Conclusion: start free, upgrade later
Getting into mile collecting doesn’t have to cost anything:
- Apply for the PAYBACK AMEX* - free, 4,000 PAYBACK points (until 14 June 2026)
- Use it on every purchase - 1 point per €3 on every transaction
- Use eCoupons and partners - multipliers at EDEKA, dm, Aral, Amazon
- Wait for the transfer bonus - 1-2x per year, 20-25% extra miles
- Transfer to Miles & More - and redeem for award flights
When you realize it’s worth it: upgrade to the AMEX Gold* (€240/year, 50,000 MR bonus) for double the earn rate, €290 mobility credit, and travel insurance.
The complete strategy for collecting over 50,000 points per year with free cards alone - including the points machine and the best eCoupon combinations - can be found in the Premium Handbook.
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MEILENKÖNIG
Expert for miles, points, and credit card strategies. Helps travelers fly business & first class for a fraction of the price.