How far in advance are award tickets bookable

The moment best to reserve award seats is when they are issued by the airlines at the beginning of their calendar.

There are many aspects to redeeming miles efficiently. In addition to knowing which programs have the best rates, it also makes sense to understand how you can actually get the available award seats.

Seatspy getting more interesting, now also search for award flights on Etihad

It is therefore important to understand When airlines open award seats. In the table below, find the main frequent flyer programs and how far in advance you can book them.

Major loyalty programs

What time are tickets published?

As with major concert tickets, it is essential to know the date and time when you will be able to book them. The answer unfortunately does not exist, or rather, varies from vector to vector. If we talk about the award seats with Alitalia Millemiles, we need to remember two specific times: the call center opens at 9 a.m., but tickets are made available on the website around 6 a.m.

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Do award seats increase as the flight approaches?

The answer again is. depends on the vector. There are some airlines that periodically release additional seats depending on demand and the fill rate of the plane, also if an award ticket is canceled the seat is available again.

Many airlines open award spaces at the last minute, usually within 14 days of departure, a way to fill unsold space. The carriers that use this last-minute strategy the most are: all Lufthansa Group airlines, Emirates, Etihad, Cathay and a few others.

Can all seats also be booked through partners?

The answer is no. If you want to book first class, you generally have to use airline points and miles. In some cases, like with Air France's La Premiere, you have to not only have Flying Blue miles, but also be Gold level in the loyalty program. In contrast, Lufthansa only releases first class award seats to partners two weeks before flight departure, as in if you are a Miles & More member you get first dibs, otherwise you get what's left over (if any).

I went to Miami in business class for free, just because I paid taxes

Also keep in mind that the timeline for making seats available between partners is different, which means that if you want to book an award ticket with Air France using Alitalia miles, the timing might be different if you book directly with FlyingBlue points.

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How to choose and find award tickets

We have talked about many tools designed to help find award places, create the best itineraries and choose the most convenient solutions. Definitely Seatspy is the simplest to use, but it is not yet complete. ExpertFlyer is the most comprehensive, but it is also the most complex for those who are not very experienced. In any case, on our website you will find all the information that can guide you in your search for the perfect prize ticket.

• premium seats
• use points

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