How to Find and Book Award Flights Like a Pro?

In the world of air travel, everyone wants to travel effectively and affordably. Here, miles and discounts have played a major and vital role because they allow people to travel at a low cost or, in most cases, free of cost in premium cabin classes. In this guide, you will discover some of the essential things on how you will be utilizing your miles to get discounted fares on any major airline, so that you can become a smart traveler and master the skill of flying effectively.

What are award flights?

Award flights, as the name says, "Award", are flights that will be given to you as an award for paid or free. When you join or enroll in any frequent flyer program and travel to any place a number of times, the airlines give you some miles or points as a reward for being loyal to them. These loyalty miles are then used to book an award flight. They are also sometimes called "non-cash" flights. Since the fare of the flight depends on the route, the number of miles also varies based on factors like seat type, cabin class, nonstop flight or connecting flight, destination or arrival, and more.

Quick Tip: If you are traveling on a medium-haul or long-haul trip, you should prefer premium or business class fares. These offer better value for miles or points compared to the miles you spent on short-haul flights. 

How to book award flights?

First, you must find an award flight. Once you find it, booking it will be easy. Here are the steps you can follow.

• Browse and visit your respective airline's official site.
• Go through the flight finder process and choose the award option if it shows. Sometimes, award flights appear later. 
• Make selections according to your preferences.
• Lastly, choose the Pay with miles or reward points option.
• Once the payment is complete, you can enjoy your award flight. 

Ways to book award flights

There are many ways through which you can easily grab your award deal. Normally, the basic idea is to get the award flight is by contacting the airline which you are loyal to them, and ask the reservation agent for the award fare on your route. But most of the passengers are not associated with any airlines, and if you are one of them, here are the best ways.

• You can use the award flight finder of the respective airline. Almost every airline nowadays offers award flights, and people are booking them by finding them using the airline's own award flight finder.
• You can use any third-party award finder app or agency. Numerous apps and agencies are available that help you find award flights on your routes by filtering the number of airlines' seat reservation data in real-time. These not only help you find the award flights but also help you get the best value. 
• Use Partnered Credit Card: There are many credit cards that give complimentary award flights or reward points that can be redeemed to get award flights. Do a bit of research and arrange such a card. The more you spend on your credit card, the higher the reward points you get, and you can utilise them to book an award. 

Some top awards from major airlines in North America

Many airlines offer award fares reserved for their elite, club, or frequent flyer program members. Here are some top North American airlines and their frequent flyer or partnered airline programs, which you can find useful in case you are seeking an award fare. You can also enroll in them to unlock more benefits.

Alaska Airlines

• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
• American Airlines AAdvantage
• British Airways Club

American Airlines 

• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
• American Airlines AAdvantage
• British Airways Club
• Etihad Guest

Delta Air Lines

• Delta SkyMiles
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

JetBlue

• JetBlue TrueBlue
• Etihad Guest
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club

United Airlines

• United MileagePlus
• Avianca LifeMiles
• Air Canada Aeroplan

Air Canada

• United MileagePlus
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Avianca LifeMiles

Some top awards from major airlines in Europe

Below is a list of top European airlines and their loyalty programs, which can offer great deals on award fares and discounted fares. 

Air France-KLM

• Delta SkyMiles
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

British Airways

• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
• American Airlines AAdvantage
• British Airways Club

Finair

• American Airlines AAdvantage
• British Airways Club

Iberia

• Club Iberia Plus
• American Airlines AAdvantage
• British Airways Club

Lufthansa, Swiss, and Austrian Airlines

• United MileagePlus
• Avianca LifeMiles
• Air Canada Aeroplan

Turkish Airlines

• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
• United MileagePlus
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Avianca LifeMiles

Some top awards from major airlines in Asia

When your traveling includes regions from/to Asia or any Asian airline, then you must be aware of these top airlines' loyalty programs, enrolling in which you may find the award fare you are looking for. 

All Nippon Airways

• ANA Mileage Club
• United MileagePlus
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Avianca LifeMiles

Cathay Pacific

• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
• Qantas Frequent Flyer
• British Airways Club

China Airlines

• Delta SkyMiles
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

EVA Airways

• United MileagePlus
• Avianca LifeMiles
• Air Canada Aeroplan

Japan Airlines

• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
• American Airlines AAdvantage
• British Airways Club
• Qantas Frequent Flyer

Thai Airways

• United MileagePlus
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Avianca LifeMiles

Singapore Airlines

• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Air Canada Aeroplan

Things to keep in mind while booking award flights

• Search segmentwise: Searching for an award flight, then you should consider a segment-by-segment search, which must be odd, but is one of the effective approaches.
• Be flexible with your origin and destination airports: Changing your origin and destination airports may significantly affect the availability of award flights. Prefer major airports or airline hubs. 
• Be flexible with the trip date: In case you are unable to find a trip date, change the trip date, and you may unlock some more award fare options. 
• Consider connecting fares: Sometimes, many airlines offer great value on award flights if the flight includes connecting stops or hubs. You may need to search a little more, and you can get your award seat of choice. 
• Do compare the awards: It is good if you compare the awards because it will help you know better about which airline is offering the best award fare to you.