Award Booking Windows
When award seats open for 20 major loyalty programs - and how to time your search.
Booking windows are approximate and can change without notice. Partner award availability depends on what the operating carrier releases - search multiple programs for the same route.
| Program | Airline | Own Flights | Partner Flights | Strategy Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAdvantage | American Airlines | 331 days | Varies (often 330–355) | Search partner awards early - AA releases partner space inconsistently. |
| MileagePlus | United Airlines | 337 days | 337 days (Star Alliance) | United often releases Polaris business class close to departure - check again 7–14 days out. |
| SkyMiles | Delta | 331 days | Varies widely | Delta has dynamic pricing - no saver chart. Book early for business class. |
| Aeroplan | Air Canada | 355 days | 355 days | Aeroplan sees excellent Star Alliance partner space. Set alerts at 355 days. |
| Avios (BA) | British Airways | 355 days | 355 days | BA first class on own metal opens early and fills fast. Book at 355 days. |
| Avios (Iberia) | Iberia | 355 days | 355 days | Iberia releases own business class availability generously. Great for transatlantic. |
| Flying Blue | Air France / KLM | 360 days | Varies | Flying Blue Promo Rewards (monthly sales) can offer 25–50% off - watch for those. |
| KrisFlyer | Singapore Airlines | 355 days | Varies (often 330) | SQ Suites availability is extremely limited - book at exactly 355 days. |
| JAL Mileage Bank | JAL | 355 days | 330 days | JAL first class on own flights is very limited - search early and often. |
| ANA Mileage Club | ANA | 355 days | 330 days (partner dependent) | ANA opens own award space at 355 days; partner space opens later and varies. |
| LifeMiles | Avianca | 330 days | 330 days (Star Alliance) | Good for United and Lufthansa partner awards with no fuel surcharges. |
| Flying Club | Virgin Atlantic | 355 days | 355 days | VS opens Upper Class early. Great for ANA and Delta partner awards. |
| Skywards | Emirates | 364 days | N/A (few partners) | Emirates opens own award space almost a full year out. Book First Class ASAP. |
| Etihad Guest | Etihad | 355 days | Varies | The Residence and First Apartment release 355 days out - very limited. |
| Miles&Smiles | Turkish Airlines | 362 days | 360 days (Star Alliance) | Excellent business class rates to Europe/Asia. Set alerts at 362 days. |
| Frequent Flyer | Qantas | 353 days | Varies (often 330) | Qantas First on own metal is rare - very limited seats, book immediately. |
| Privilege Club | Qatar Airways | 355 days | Varies | QSuites availability is generous but fills fast in peak season. |
| Mileage Plan | Alaska Airlines | 330 days | Varies widely | Best for Cathay, JAL, and Finnair partner awards at fixed, low rates. |
| TrueBlue | JetBlue | 331 days | N/A | Dynamic pricing - Mint business class pricing varies daily. |
| Rapid Rewards | Southwest | 6 months (approx.) | N/A | Southwest releases schedules ~6 months out; points pricing mirrors cash pricing. |