Where to Search
There are three main approaches to finding award flights:
1. Airline Websites (Primary Method)
Search directly on the airline's website. This is the most reliable method because you're seeing real-time availability.
- United.com — Best for Star Alliance searching
- AA.com — Good for oneworld
- Delta.com — SkyTeam (though availability is dynamic)
- British Airways — Shows calendar view of Avios pricing
2. Award Search Tools
Third-party tools that aggregate availability:
- Point.me — Searches across multiple programs (paid)
- Seats.aero — Good for premium cabin awards
- AwardFares — Alerts and searching (freemium)
3. Google Flights First
Start with Google Flights to understand what routes and schedules exist, then search for award availability on those specific flights.
The Search Process
Step 1: Define Your Trip
- Where do you want to go?
- When (range of dates)?
- Economy, business, or first?
- How many travelers?
Step 2: Find What Flights Exist
Use Google Flights to see what airlines fly your route and what the schedules look like. Note which alliances serve your route.
Step 3: Search for Award Availability
Search on airline websites that can book those flights. Remember: you can use partner miles to book flights on other airlines in the same alliance.
Step 4: Compare Options
Check multiple programs for the same flight. United might want 80,000 miles; Turkish might price it at 45,000.
Search Tips
Use Calendar View
Many airline sites show a calendar view of availability. This helps you spot which days have saver awards.
Search One-Way
Search one-way trips separately. Your outbound and return don't need to be on the same airline or booked together.
Try Nearby Airports
If JFK has no availability, try Newark or LaGuardia. Willing to connect? More options open up.
Check Multiple Times
Availability changes constantly. What's not available today might open up tomorrow.
Always confirm availability before transferring points. Search, find the exact flight, make sure you can select it, then—and only then—transfer your points.
Reading Search Results
When you find availability, note:
- Miles required — Is this saver level?
- Taxes and fees — Some routes have high surcharges
- Cabin class — Business class varies wildly between airlines
- Connection time — Is it reasonable?
Key Takeaways
- Start searches on airline websites for accurate availability
- Use Google Flights to understand your route options first
- Search one-way for maximum flexibility
- Check multiple programs for the same flight
- Never transfer points until you've confirmed availability