Award Travel: When To Book Airline Tickets

Booking an airline ticket for award travel is a complex process that requires careful planning and flexibility. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, booking early is often recommended to increase the chances of securing an award seat. However, it's important to consider various factors such as the airline, route, class of service, and travel dates.

Booking early, around 11 months or more in advance, is generally advantageous, especially for business and first-class seats. This is because airlines typically release a limited number of award seats, and early booking increases the likelihood of availability. Additionally, booking early is crucial for popular routes and peak travel periods like summer and holidays.

However, it's worth noting that not all airlines release award seats as soon as the booking window opens. Some carriers may withhold seats until closer to the departure date to better predict demand. Therefore, it's essential to understand the booking calendars and award availability patterns of specific airlines and their frequent flyer programs.

Utilizing tools like ExpertFlyer, Award Nexus, and Point.me can aid in finding award availability and setting alerts for desired routes and cabins. These tools provide functionality beyond basic airline websites and help maximize the chances of securing an award ticket.

In conclusion, while there is no definitive rule, booking early for award travel is generally a wise strategy. However, staying flexible and considering the dynamics of specific airlines, routes, and travel periods is crucial to optimizing the use of your miles for award travel.

Booking early is key

Booking early is a key consideration when purchasing an airline ticket for award travel. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, booking well in advance can significantly increase your chances of securing an award seat. Here are some reasons why booking early is a crucial strategy:

Availability of Award Seats

Award seat availability can be unpredictable and varies across airlines. Booking early, ideally 11 months or more in advance, increases the likelihood of finding award seats, especially for business and first class. This is because some airlines release a set number of award seats when their booking window opens, and early booking allows you to snag those seats before they get snapped up.

Flexibility and Peace of Mind

By booking early, you gain flexibility in choosing your desired flights and travel dates. This is especially beneficial if you have specific travel plans or preferences. Additionally, early booking provides peace of mind, knowing that you have secured your travel arrangements and can focus on other trip aspects.

Cost Savings

Booking early can often result in cost savings. Airline ticket prices tend to increase as the travel date approaches. By booking early, you may take advantage of lower prices and avoid paying a premium for last-minute bookings. This is particularly true for peak travel periods, such as summer or holidays, when demand is high, and prices can skyrocket.

Booking Window Considerations

It's important to understand the booking windows of different airlines and frequent flyer programs. Most airlines open their booking calendars 10 to 12 months in advance, and some release award seats at this time. However, the booking window for your frequent flyer program may differ, so ensure you're aware of the specific timelines to maximize your chances of securing an award seat.

Change and Cancellation Policies

Many airlines have reasonable change and cancellation policies for award tickets. By booking early, you can take advantage of this flexibility. If your plans change or a better award seat becomes available, you can make adjustments to your booking without incurring significant fees.

In conclusion, booking early is a key strategy when purchasing an airline ticket for award travel. It increases your chances of finding award seats, provides flexibility, and can result in cost savings. Understanding the booking windows and staying informed about award seat availability will help you make the most of your award travel experience.

Book at least six months in advance for international flights

Booking early is a common strategy for securing award seats on flights. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, it is generally recommended to book at least six months or 11 months in advance for international flights. This is because airlines typically release flights for booking about a year in advance, and booking early increases your chances of redeeming miles for an award ticket.

For international flights, it is advisable to book at least six months before your desired departure date. According to Expedia's 2024 Air Travel Hacks report, the sweet spot for booking international flights is around 60 days in advance. This is a change from 2022 data, which suggested booking four to six months in advance. However, 2023 data revealed that booking too far in advance could result in higher prices. Therefore, it is recommended to book early, but no more than four months before your trip.

Booking early is especially crucial if you plan to travel during peak times, such as summer or major holidays. By booking at least six months in advance, you can take advantage of price drops and change policies offered by many airlines. Basic economy fares are usually non-changeable, but standard economy fares can often be changed for free on several U.S. airlines. This allows you to lock in a decent deal and then watch for fare drops. If the price decreases, you can change your flight and receive a voucher for the price difference.

Additionally, some airlines release a set number of award seats when their schedules open, making it beneficial to book early, especially on popular routes where award space may be limited. However, it is essential to understand the schedule window and frequent flyer booking window for each airline, as these can vary. For example, All Nippon Airways (ANA) opens its booking window 355 days in advance, while United Airlines only opens its flight schedule 337 days in advance.

In conclusion, to increase your chances of securing an award seat and finding good deals on international flights, it is advisable to book at least six months in advance. This strategy provides the opportunity to take advantage of price drops and change policies while also ensuring you don't miss out on limited award seats.

The best time to book for peak season is off-season

The "off-season" in Europe, for example, usually starts from late October and continues through November, March, and the beginning of April. During this time, you can expect thinner tourist crowds, better tour and airfare prices, and quieter, cheaper hotels.

The same is true for other destinations. For instance, the off-season in Southeast Asia is generally from June to October, coinciding with the rainy season. In the US, the low season falls between the winter months of November and March/April, excluding tropical states like Florida and Hawaii.

Booking during the off-season can also increase your chances of finding award seats on flights. Many airlines withhold seats until closer to the departure time, when demand can be better predicted. Booking during the off-season means you can take advantage of this by securing award seats before the peak season rush.

Additionally, booking during the off-season can help you avoid the stress of peak-season planning. With fewer people travelling, you are more likely to find the specific dates, rooms, and tours you want.

So, if you're looking to book a trip during the peak season, consider planning and booking your trip during the off-season to take advantage of lower prices and higher availability.

The best day of the week to book flights is the day when a flight deal pops up

According to a study by Google, flight prices on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays were, on average, 1.9% cheaper than flights on Saturdays and Sundays. However, Google concluded that "there isn't much value in purchasing your tickets on a certain day of the week". Similarly, a study by Expedia found that Sunday was the cheapest day to book flights, with savings of 5% on domestic flights and 15% on international flights compared to Friday. However, this advice no longer holds true, as airlines don't just release sales on Tuesdays, and they don't always match their competitors' sales.

So, while you may find some modest savings by being flexible and flying on less popular days, such as Saturdays or midweek, the best day to book a flight is when a deal arises, regardless of the day of the week.

• Book one to three months in advance for domestic flights and two to eight months in advance for international flights.
• Set price alerts on travel search engines like Google Flights, Hopper, Skyscanner, or Kayak, which will notify you when prices drop.
• Rebook if you find a cheaper price, taking advantage of flexible change and cancellation policies offered by many airlines.
• Be flexible with your destination, airport, and dates, as this can often lead to significant savings.
• Use tools like Google Flights, which provides data-fueled information to help you find the best deals, and allows you to track prices and set price alerts.
• Consider booking with miles, especially if you have flexible travel plans. Booking early with miles can increase your chances of scoring a free flight, but this varies by airline, route, and class of service.

Remember, the best day to book a flight is when you find a great deal, so stay vigilant and don't be afraid to book when you see a price that works for you!

Use tools and trackers to find the best flight price

Booking award flights is an art rather than a science, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of when to book. However, there are tools and trackers you can use to find the best flight prices and inform your decision-making.

Tools and Trackers

There are several flight price trackers available that can help you find the best deals. These include:

• Google Flights
• KAYAK
• Skyscanner
• Hopper
• Airfarewatchdog
• Yapta
• Going
• Dollar Flight Club
• Jack's Flight Club
• Momondo
• Kiwi
• Expedia
• Travelocity
• FareCompare
• Hellotrip
• CheapOair

These tools allow you to track prices for specific routes, dates, and airlines, and some offer additional features such as alerts when prices drop or predictions about the best time to book.

When to Book

While it depends on many variables, including route, seasonality, and class of service, there are some general guidelines you can follow.

Booking early can help you grab award seats before anyone else, but it's not always the best strategy. Airlines withhold seats until closer to departure when they can better predict demand, and some flights might see a flurry of award seats open up at the last minute.

A good time to start looking is around 330 days before travel, when airlines typically load flights into their reservation systems. For holiday travel, it's best to book in advance, as it's much harder to find a "saver" award seat during these periods.

If you're nervous about committing, the period between 30 and 60 days before the trip is a good time to keep checking for deals, as airlines tend to make more award seats available during this window.

However, be aware that airlines typically start charging fees for booking award travel within this period. For example, United imposes fees for award travel booked within 60 days of travel using Mileage Plus miles, and other airlines may charge fees for bookings within 21 days of departure.

Other Considerations

When trying to book with miles, it's important to understand the difference between the schedule window and the loyalty program window. The schedule window is when the operating carrier opens its booking calendar, and the loyalty program window is when you can book with the miles you want to use.

If the loyalty program window is shorter than the schedule window, you may be at a disadvantage compared to members of the carrier's loyalty program. In this case, consider using a different loyalty program or booking with the carrier directly.

Additionally, some airlines don't release award space to partners until close to the departure date, and some don't release award space to partners at all. For example, Lufthansa doesn't release first-class partner award space until about two weeks before travel, and SWISS and Air France don't allow partner bookings for their first-class seats.

In summary, to find the best flight prices for award travel, use a combination of tools and trackers, start looking early, and be mindful of the differences between schedule windows and loyalty program windows.

Frequently asked questions