The Reality Check
Here's something that frustrates every beginner: just because a flight exists doesn't mean you can book it with points.
Airlines only release a limited number of seats for award bookings on each flight. When those seats are gone, you can't book that flight with miles—even if there are plenty of seats available for cash.
This is called award availability, and understanding it is essential.
Why Airlines Limit Award Seats
Airlines make more money selling seats for cash than "selling" them for miles. So they strategically limit how many award seats they release:
- Popular routes = fewer award seats
- Peak travel times = very limited availability
- Premium cabins = hardest to find
- Last-minute = often no availability
The best availability is usually found far in advance (300+ days) or very close to departure when airlines release unsold inventory.
Saver vs. Standard Awards
Many airlines offer two types of award pricing:
Saver Awards (What You Want)
- Lower mileage cost
- Limited availability
- Usually available to partner bookings
Standard/Everyday Awards (Avoid If Possible)
- 2-3x the miles
- More availability
- Usually not worth the premium
Always search for saver-level availability. Standard awards rarely offer good value.
The Flexibility Advantage
Flexibility is your greatest asset:
- Flexible dates: Shifting by a day or two often reveals availability
- Flexible airports: Try nearby airports or connections
- Flexible destinations: "I want to go to Europe" is easier than "I must go to Paris"
Best availability is typically 330 days out (when schedules open) or 2-3 weeks before departure. The worst? 1-4 months before popular travel dates.
Partner vs. Own Airline
Airlines often release more award space to their own frequent flyers than to partners. This means:
- United shows more availability when you search on United.com with United miles
- The same United flight might not show when searching through a partner like Air Canada
Sometimes searching through a partner reveals better availability. It's worth checking multiple programs for the same route.
Managing Expectations
Award travel requires planning. If you want to fly to Hawaii for Christmas on points, you might need to book 10-11 months in advance.
This isn't a limitation—it's the tradeoff for flying for "free." Plan ahead, stay flexible, and you'll find excellent options.
Key Takeaways
- Award seats are limited—not every flight has availability
- Search for saver awards; avoid standard pricing
- Flexibility with dates and destinations is crucial
- Book far in advance for best selection
- Check multiple programs for the same route