Points and miles are currencies that can really come in handy if you need to travel at the last minute. In many cases, you can get excellent value by booking last-minute flights with points, but it depends on a few key factors, such as the way the airline prices out its awards and when it releases award availability. This article outlines everything you need to know about using points to book last-minute flights.
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Can you find good points deals at the last minute?
Some airlines price their award flights using dynamic pricing, similar to cash prices. This usually means that prices go up as the travel date gets closer, so it’s not the best idea to book award flights using points for a last-minute flight with these programs.
On the other hand, airlines that use zone-based pricing or fixed award charts have static points and miles pricing based on the distance you’re flying or the regions you’re traveling between. These award rates won’t change as time goes on unless the airline overhauls its award chart, so booking last minute could be a valid option. However, you’re also betting on open availability, which can fill up as your travel date gets closer, so it’s a delicate balance.
If you can find availability, you may be able to score a last-minute award ticket using a reasonable amount of points that would have cost much more in cash, offering you immense value from your points.
How to find good points fares on last-minute flights
There’s an art to finding solid points deals for last-minute flights. Here’s how to do it.
1. Search on airlines that have fixed-rate award charts
Right off the bat, you should consider searching for award flights on airlines that have distance-based or fixed-rate award charts. This means that prices won’t increase as your travel date approaches or demand increases. Unfortunately, most U.S. airline loyalty programs have moved to dynamic pricing (United, Delta, and American) and have eliminated their award charts.
Some examples of airlines where you might be able to find affordable last-minute award flights, thanks to their static award charts, are British Airways, Iberia, and Hawaiian Airlines. If you don’t have points and miles in these programs, check flexible reward currencies like Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou points, Capital One Miles, or Bilt Rewards. You might be able to transfer these rewards to your airline of choice.
2. Check partner airlines for better redemption value
Thanks to alliances like Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance, and additional airline partnerships, travelers can get affordable points deals by booking via partners. For example, Delta is one of the worst airlines to book last-minute award flights, as SkyMiles rates often skyrocket as the departure date approaches due to dynamic pricing.
But you can use partner programs like Virgin Atlantic Flying Club or Air France/KLM Flying Blue (this program does have dynamic pricing but often has cheaper award tickets) to book your Delta ticket.
We put this into practice by searching for a last-minute, one-way flight from New York (JFK) to London (LHR) during peak dates in December 2024. Virgin’s partner award chart for Delta states that one-way award flights in Delta One start at 57,500 points.
Meanwhile, when searching for last-minute December flights for the exact same route on Delta’s website, award tickets were absurdly high at nearly 400,000 SkyMiles.
You can take this a step further if you have a stash of flexible reward currencies. Since there are frequent 20-30% transfer bonuses from flexible points programs, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards to Virgin and Flying Blue, your award flight redemption might be an even better deal. Programs like Flying Blue also release promo deals that are usually valid for that same month or the following few months, which can be helpful for last-minute flyers.
3. Be as flexible as you can be with dates and locations
If you have to book a last-minute flight, you might not have flexibility with dates. But if you can swing a bit of wiggle room with dates or even shift your trip by just 24 hours, it may be the difference between getting a solid deal or overpaying.
If you’re hoping to take a last-minute winter sun getaway or head to Europe but aren’t too specific on exactly where to go (or are willing to take a short plane or train ride to your final destination), price out award flights to see where you can get the best deals. Flexibility with location may help you score a cheaper award flight. It may be impossible or really expensive to get to the Bahamas using points, but San Juan might be a breeze — do the research.
4. Look at repositioning to a large airport for more options
A positioning flight is where you book a separate flight to connect you to your award itinerary. If you can get a deal on an award flight from an airport other than your own, then booking a positioning flight to that airport can make sense. Deals are deals, and you shouldn’t pass up an amazing last-minute award flight deal just because it’s not from your usual home airport.
This can be especially helpful if you’re flying long-haul. If you live in the Midwest, you might want to try finding a deal to Europe from an East Coast airport hub, then use cash to fly from your home airport to that one. Snagging an award from the closest big city may be easier and more affordable than trying to make it work from a smaller, regional airport.
5. Use point.me to quickly compare fares across airlines and programs
Your points may be worth more than you think, and using point.me’s subscription services can open up alternative deals and options you never considered so you can snap up that last-minute plane ticket for less.
point.me searches 30+ loyalty programs and more than 150 airlines, which can help you find secret last-minute award availability or learn how to use different airlines and loyalty programs you weren’t already familiar with.
6. Look at alternative classes of service
The main issue that can occur with flying last minute is that routes are often sold out, especially during peak dates. And even if you find seats for cash purchase, that doesn’t always mean you can snag them with points. Each airline chooses how many award seats it wants to allocate per flight, and if those seats are booked, you may be out of luck.
But all is not lost. If you’re searching for award availability in business class and you just can’t find it, try premium economy. If all else fails, you might have to scrunch up your legs and fly in economy. Follow the deals.
7. Look at airlines that release seats closer to departure
Many airlines release award availability around a year before departure – anywhere from 330 to 360 days before departure. However, certain airlines release last-minute award ability, which may be beneficial if you’re searching for last-minute award flights.
For example, Lufthansa releases award availability for its first-class seats a couple of weeks before departure or even within a few days. Often, the airline also releases unsold business class seats as departure approaches. Other airlines that tend to release award seats (especially in the business-class cabin) closer to departure dates include Emirates, Air New Zealand, United, and American Airlines, though last-minute pricing for the U.S.-based carriers may be high.
8. Let someone else search for you
If you can’t figure out how to book last-minute flights with points on your own or have exhausted all your known options, point.me’s concierge service can provide one-on-one assistance. This service handles full-service flight booking. If you’re busy, new to the points world, or planning a really important last-minute trip (eloping is cool!), someone else can handle everything for you.
9. Lower your party size
If you’re searching for award availability for your family of four, perhaps try searching for just two or three seats. If just three seats are available using points, they won’t show up if you search for four. You can buy some tickets with points and your final ticket in cash or take another flight, airline, or route using points. This may be better than paying for all four tickets in cash if you can’t find availability for everyone together in the same cabin or flight.
10. Use your credit card’s travel portal
One of the best things about credit card points (Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou, Capital One Miles, or Bilt Rewards) is that you have the flexibility to either transfer these currencies to airline and hotel programs or you can simply use them to book travel within the portal. You may not get the best value out of your points, but you will earn airline miles on your ticket, which is an added perk. Plus, it’s relatively easy and straightforward to book tickets via these travel portals. And if you don’t have enough points to cover the ticket in its entirety, you can use points + cash.
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