The Best Time to Book Award Flights for Peak Travel Seasons

Securing award flights during peak travel seasons can feel like an impossible task. Whether it’s the summer holidays, Thanksgiving, or the December holiday rush, demand for flights skyrockets, leaving many travelers struggling to find available seats—especially in premium cabins. However, with strategic planning and a few insider tips, you can book award flights for these high-demand times without breaking the bank or losing your hard-earned points. Here’s how to do it.

Timing Is Everything

The timing of your booking plays a crucial role in securing award flights during peak travel seasons. Airlines release award seats in batches, typically starting 11-12 months before departure. For example, American Airlines and United Airlines often open their schedules 330 days in advance. This is the best time to grab those coveted business or first-class seats, as they tend to disappear quickly.

However, booking far in advance isn’t your only option. Some airlines release additional award seats closer to the departure date, usually within a few weeks or even days. This practice, commonly seen with programs like Lufthansa Miles & More or Qatar Airways Privilege Club, caters to unsold premium seats. While last-minute booking requires flexibility, it’s a valuable strategy for those looking to maximize availability.

Leverage Airline Loyalty Programs and Alliances

Airline alliances and loyalty programs are your best friends when hunting for peak-season award availability. Programs like Oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam allow you to book flights on partner airlines, significantly increasing your options. For instance, if you’re struggling to find seats with American Airlines, consider booking through British Airways using Avios or Japan Airlines using JAL Mileage Bank.

Some loyalty programs also provide tools to search for partner award availability. United’s MileagePlus and Air Canada’s Aeroplan offer intuitive interfaces to check partner flights across the Star Alliance network. By expanding your search across multiple carriers within an alliance, you’ll increase your chances of finding available seats for your desired dates.

Use Flexible Points for Maximum Options

Flexible credit card points, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Points, are game-changers for booking award flights during peak seasons. These points can be transferred to a variety of airline loyalty programs, giving you access to multiple award seat inventories.

For example, transferring Amex points to Delta SkyMiles or Air France-KLM Flying Blue provides access to premium cabin seats to Europe. Meanwhile, Chase Ultimate Rewards can unlock award flights with United Airlines or British Airways, expanding your options further. Be sure to confirm award availability before transferring points, as most transfers are irreversible.

Strategies for Popular Travel Periods

Peak travel seasons require a proactive approach. Here are some key strategies:

• Holiday Travel: Book as soon as award seats are released, typically 11-12 months in advance. For Thanksgiving and Christmas, flexibility with travel dates (e.g., flying a day earlier or later) can make a significant difference.

• Summer Vacations: For European destinations, aim to book award flights by January or February to secure availability for June-August travel.

• Spring Break: Popular among families, spring break award seats fill up fast. Start searching for flights as early as October of the previous year.

Being flexible with your departure and arrival airports also helps. Consider alternate cities with better award availability and use positioning flights to connect to your final destination.

Monitor Award Space and Use Alerts

Award availability can change frequently, especially as airlines adjust their seat inventories. Monitoring award space and setting up alerts can help you stay ahead:

• ExpertFlyer: This tool lets you search for award availability across multiple airlines and set up alerts for when seats open up.

• Point.Me: Simplifies the process of finding and booking award flights by aggregating results from various loyalty programs.

• Loyalty Program Notifications: Sign up for emails from your preferred airline programs to stay informed about flash sales or additional award seats.

Maximize Value with Sweet Spots

Every loyalty program has its “sweet spots”—routes or redemption options that offer exceptional value. For peak travel seasons, understanding these sweet spots can save you points and frustration:

• Asia to Europe: Use ANA’s Mileage Club for business class redemptions at competitive rates.

• U.S. to Europe: Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles offers outstanding value for business class awards.

• Within North America: British Airways Avios excels on short-haul flights, especially with American Airlines.

By researching and leveraging these opportunities, you’ll stretch your points further while securing flights during high-demand times.

Conclusion: Book Smarter, Travel Better

Booking award flights for peak travel seasons requires strategy, patience, and a touch of flexibility. By understanding airline schedules, utilizing loyalty programs and alliances, and staying proactive with tools and alerts, you can navigate even the busiest travel periods with ease. Remember, the key is to plan early but stay adaptable to last-minute opportunities.

Have you successfully booked award flights for peak seasons? Share your tips and experiences in the comments, or tag us on Instagram at @roaming.cactus. Let’s make the most of every travel season with smarter strategies and better rewards.