Booking flights with points should feel exciting – not exhausting. Yet too often, searching for award space feels like a full-time job.

On average, people spend 5 to 7 hours searching for award flights for a single trip. That means hours spent bouncing between airline websites, refreshing calendars, and hoping that something magically opens up.

It does not have to be this way.

In this guide, you will learn about four award flight search tools that make finding flights with points faster, easier, and far less stressful. These tools are designed to save you time, uncover hard-to-find award seats, and help you get the most value from your miles.

Whether you are hunting for a last-minute Business Class seat or simply want an easier way to book Economy Class flights for your next family vacation, these tools can make a big difference.

Some of the most powerful features – like real-time alerts, flexible filters, and premium cabin searches – are only available on the paid versions.

But the time and value they unlock often pay for themselves after just one trip.

Let’s dive into the tools that can help you find better flights, book smarter, and spend less time searching.

What Makes A Great Award Flight Search Tool

Not all award flight tools are created equally.

Some are built for speed.

Others focus on simplicity.

A few try to do it all… usually unsuccessfully

But when it comes to saving time and booking flights with points, the best tools share a few key features that set them apart.

Here is what to look for when choosing an award search tool – and why it matters for your next trip:

Speed And Accuracy

Award space changes quickly.

One moment a Business Class seat to Japan is available, and the next it is gone.

Literally in seconds.

That is why speed is one of the most important features of any search tool. The faster a tool can scan airline systems and return results, the better your chances of grabbing a seat before someone else does.

But speed means nothing without accuracy. Some tools show “phantom” availability – seats that appear to be open but cannot actually be booked.

A great tool filters out these false results and only shows real options. The best ones even let you click directly through to the airline site to confirm and book.

Breadth Of Programs Supported

Your points are flexible. Your search tool should be too.

A strong award search platform covers a wide range of airline programs across all three major alliances – Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam – plus independent carriers and low-cost partners.

Look for tools that include popular programs like:

• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue
• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
• American Airlines AAdvantage
• Delta Airlines SkyMiles
• Emirates Skywards
• Qantas Frequent Flyer
• Turkish Miles&Smiles
• United MileagePlus
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

The broader the coverage, the more ways you have to use your transferable points from programs like Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, or Citi ThankYou Points.

Why It Matters: The same seat on a flight might cost 150,000 points through one airline – but only 60,000 through another partner. A good search tool helps you spot these differences.

Real-Time Availability

Award charts and search engines change constantly. A tool that shows cached or outdated results might miss the window for you to book a valuable seat.

Tools that show real-time availability are the most reliable.

These platforms query airline systems directly – sometimes every few minutes – to ensure the information you see reflects what is actually bookable at that moment.

TPA Pro Tip: Look for tools that refresh frequently, allow live alerts, and show you exactly when the award space was last updated.

Easy-To-Use Interface

You should not need a YouTube tutorial to search for a flight. A user-friendly interface helps you get results faster, test flexible dates, and filter by what matters most – like nonstop flights, cabin class, or points required.

Some platforms even let you search by map, showing routes from your home airport with available award seats on a specific date or over a range of dates.

Why It Matters: When a tool is easy to navigate, you are more likely to find the best deal without missing key details. It also makes it easier for beginners to get started with award travel.

Bonus Features That Save You Time

The real power of award flight search tools lies in their extra features.

These upgrades help you go from frustrated to booked in far less time:

• Award Alerts: Get a notification when seats open up on your ideal route or date
• Advanced Filters: Sort by airline, number of stops, aircraft type, or award program
• Transfer Partner Integration: See exactly how many points are needed and how to transfer them from your bank
• Calendar View: Spot trends in award pricing across a full month
• One-Click Booking Help: Jump directly to the airline’s site or get concierge assistance from some premium tools

Choosing the right award flight tool can make a massive difference in how quickly and easily you find your next redemption. Whether you value speed, simplicity, or access to hard-to-find seats, knowing what to look for will help you pick the tool that matches your travel goals.

Seats.aero

If your goal is to fly in a lie-flat seat at a fraction of the price, Seats.aero might be the tool that changes everything.

Built for speed and precision, Seats.aero is one of the best platforms for finding last-minute or rare premium cabin award space – especially on programs like Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA Mileage Club, Qatar Airways Privilege Club (Avios), and Virgin Atlantic.

What Seats.aero Does Best

What sets Seats.aero apart is its near real-time search engine.

While most tools take minutes – or even hours – to refresh results, Seats.aero scans multiple airline programs every few seconds.

This is a game-changer when searching for highly sought-after seats, like ANA First Class, Lufthansa First Class, or Qatar QSuites, which can disappear minutes after they are released.

It is especially powerful for routes that are known to drop space at odd hours.

For example, ANA often opens premium cabin space just a few days before departure. With Seats.aero, you can catch these opportunities before most travelers even know they exist.

The tool also includes a unique “Explorer Mode,” which shows award availability by region and date, making it easy to find spontaneous getaways or mileage runs.

Who It Is Best For

Seats.aero is ideal for:

• Travelers who want premium cabins like Business Class or First Class
• Points pros who know how to book using partner programs
• Flexible flyers who can jump on last-minute availability
• Mileage nerds tracking specific routes or aircraft types

If you already understand how to transfer points to Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, you will get a lot of value from this tool.

Free vs. Pro: Why The Upgrade Is Worth It

The free version of Seats.aero gives you access to many core features, but with some delays in data and limited route views.

For example, you might only see availability that was last refreshed several hours ago.

The Pro version, which starts at a monthly or annual subscription, unlocks:

• Live award space refreshes every few seconds
• Access to full search history across all supported routes
• Custom alerts that notify you the moment new seats appear
• Expanded filters to find flights by cabin, airline, aircraft type, or alliance

If you are hunting a hard-to-find route – like Chicago to Tokyo in ANA First Class – or just want to stop manually refreshing airline websites every day, the Pro upgrade can save you hours of frustration.

Tips To Maximize Seats.aero

Here are a few smart ways to get more from this tool:

• Set alerts for specific dates, routes, or programs to be notified instantly when space opens
• Use the calendar view to spot patterns in release timing
• Search for niche routes, like intra-Europe Business Class or Fifth Freedom Flights, which often get overlooked
• Combine with tools like ExpertFlyer or airline sites to verify and book immediately

Roame.travel

If you are just getting started with award travel or want a simple way to search flights with points, Roame.travel is one of the best places to begin.

It is clean, easy to use, and packed with features that help you find real, bookable award flights – even if you are not a points expert.

What Roame.travel Does Best

Roame.travel shines in its simplicity.

The interface is fast, clear, and feels more like using Google Flights than a typical award search tool.

Just type in your departure and destination airports, choose your travel dates, and within seconds, Roame returns a list of available award flights pulled from a wide range of airline programs.

Where Roame.travel stands out is in its broad coverage and real-time pricing. It is one of the few tools that supports all three major alliances – Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam – in a single search.

That means more chances to find a great flight – without jumping between airline websites.

Who It Is Best For

Roame.travel is a perfect fit for:

• Points beginners learning how to book award flights
• Families and casual travelers looking for Economy Class or simple one-way redemptions
• Chase, American Express, Capital One, or Citi cardholders who want to see how far their points can go
• Anyone who wants a tool that “just works” with minimal setup

Even if you have never booked an award flight before, Roame makes it feel straightforward. And for experienced travelers, it is a great way to run quick, broad searches when exploring trip ideas.

Free vs. Premium: What You Get With Roame Pro

The free version gives you access to unlimited award searches for a limited number of routes and carriers. It is a great way to get a feel for how the tool works.

Upgrading to Roame Premium unlocks several features that can make a real difference:

• Unlimited searches across all routes and programs
• Award alerts that notify you when space becomes available
• Increased search depth with more flexible filters
• Faster results and more frequent updates

If you are planning multiple trips or want to be the first to know when saver-level seats open up, the paid version is well worth considering.

Tips To Maximize Roame.travel

Here are a few ways to get the most from Roame:

• Use the map search to discover where you can fly from your home airport using points
• Search flexible dates to find lower award pricing across multiple days
• Look for sweet spots, like 5,000-mile domestic United flights or off-peak Economy Class awards on American
• Set alerts for hard-to-find routes like Hawaii or Europe in the summer

Roame also shows the points cost by program, so you can compare pricing and choose the best transfer partner for your trip.

Point.me

If you want booking award flights to feel as smooth as booking cash tickets, Point.me is the tool for you.

With its sleek interface, deep airline integrations, and personalized booking support, Point.me stands out as the most polished and beginner-friendly platform in the space.

What Point.me Does Best

Point.me is known for its deep integration with airline loyalty programs. Instead of just showing you available flights, it tells you exactly how to book them.

The tool checks dozens of frequent flyer programs, calculates the number of points needed, and even walks you through how to transfer points from your credit card.

One of the best platform features is its Guided Booking.

When you find a flight you want, Point.me will literally show you step-by-step instructions to complete the booking. This includes screenshots, links, and tips to avoid common pitfalls.

Who It Is Best For

Point.me is perfect for:

• Travelers who want a concierge-style experience
• People who feel overwhelmed by airline websites and point transfers
• Beginners who want to avoid booking mistakes
• Busy professionals who want to find flights quickly and correctly

If you have ever found a flight using points and then gotten stuck figuring out how to book it, Point.me will feel like a personal guide.

Free vs. Premium: What You Get With Point.me Pro

The free version gives you access to limited searches and estimated points pricing.

It is great for testing out the interface or checking one route at a time.

The Premium version offers the full experience, including:

• Real-time award availability
• Guided Booking for step-by-step help
• Unlimited searches across all supported programs
• Points transfer instructions tailored to your credit card and loyalty program

Premium users can also access advanced filters to sort by cabin, number of stops, or travel dates.

Tips To Maximize Point.me

Here are a few ways to get even more out of Point.me:

• Run one-way searches to uncover space on individual legs – then build a roundtrip manually
• Look for hidden carriers like Iberia, Avianca, or Singapore that often have better pricing than their U.S. counterparts
• Use Guided Booking to avoid mistakes when transferring points or navigating foreign airline websites
• Check the calendar view to spot trends in award availability and pricing

Because Point.me shows multiple booking options per route, you can compare prices across several programs without opening ten tabs.

Awayz

While most award flight search tools focus only on flights, Awayz takes a broader approach.

It is the only tool on this list that lets you search for both flights and hotel award stays using your points.

That makes it the ideal choice for travelers looking to plan complete trips – from the moment you take off to the night you check in.

What Awayz Does Best

Awayz is a hybrid search platform that brings together flight and hotel award space in one easy-to-use interface.

It covers all major hotel loyalty programs including:

• Marriott Bonvoy
• Hilton Honors
• World of Hyatt
• IHG One Rewards

You can quickly compare cash vs. points pricing, see dynamic award rates, and identify which hotel offers the best redemption value on any given night.

It also includes award flight search capabilities, allowing you to plan entire trips from start to finish within one platform.

One of its standout features is the ability to search across multiple programs at once, while showing you real-time availability, transfer partner options, and best-value redemptions.

Who It Is Best For

Awayz is perfect for:

• Travelers who want to book both hotels and flights using points
• Anyone with large balances in hotel programs or transferable points
• People who value seeing cash vs. points comparisons
• Advanced planners building complete award itineraries

If you are planning a week-long vacation and want to use points for both your flight and your hotel, Awayz makes it much easier to bring it all together.

Free vs. Pro: Why The Upgrade Matters

The free version of Awayz gives you access to basic search features across limited dates and properties.

Upgrading to Awayz Pro unlocks:

• Real-time hotel pricing across all major loyalty programs
• Award alerts when prices drop or space opens at your chosen hotel
• Transfer partner integrations, so you can see how to move points from Chase, Amex, Capital One, or Citi
• Full access to flight award searches, with filters for cabin class, airline, and more
• Custom tools like value scores to help you find the best deal at a glance

The Pro version is ideal for travelers who want more control, more options, and the ability to book smarter with every redemption.

Tips To Maximize Awayz

Here is how to make the most of your Awayz subscription:

• Search for both flights and hotels on your target dates to build a complete itinerary
• Use the value calculator to determine whether you should pay with cash or points
• Set award alerts for high-demand hotels or peak travel dates
• Explore lesser-known programs like Hyatt and IHG, where you can often find great value redemptions
• Combine the platform with a transfer bonus from your credit card program to stretch your points even further

Awayz makes it easier to plan around both your destination and your point balances, helping you make smart decisions with every step.

An Alternative To Search Tools: Award Alert Services

Award flight search tools are great if you enjoy diving into the details and running your own searches. But what if you want someone else to do the heavy lifting for you?

That is where award alert services come in.

These services monitor award space across dozens of routes and programs, then send you alerts when high-value seats become available.

Instead of refreshing airline websites or logging into search tools every day, you simply check your email when an alert drops.

Why Award Alert Subscriptions Are Worth It

Award alert services are especially helpful for travelers who:

• Do not have time to run daily award searches
• Want to be the first to know when premium cabin seats open
• Are flexible with destinations or dates
• Enjoy getting inspiration for future redemptions

These alerts often highlight rare opportunities – like business class to Europe for under 70,000 points or last-minute seats to Japan on ANA or Japan Airlines.

Many alerts also include transfer partner info, booking tips, and estimated cash value, so you know right away if a deal is worth jumping on.

Search Tools vs. Award Alerts

Both award flight search tools and award alert services are powerful ways to find flights with points – but they serve different types of travelers.

Award Flight Search Tools are best for travelers who want full control over their searches.

These platforms let you filter by exact dates, airlines, routes, cabins, and programs. If you know where and when you want to go, search tools help you check availability instantly and compare options in real time.

Here is what makes award flight search tools valuable:

• Great for specific trip planning
• Allow for customized filters like nonstop flights, points pricing, and cabin class
• Best suited for travelers who are hands-on and detail-oriented
• Often ideal for advanced users or points pros

Award Alert Services, on the other hand, flip the process around. Instead of running your own searches, you receive curated alerts when valuable award space becomes available.

These alerts often focus on premium cabin deals, rare routes, or off-peak redemptions.

Here is when award alerts make more sense:

• Perfect for busy travelers who want to save time
• Great for people who are flexible on dates or destinations
• Ideal for those who want booking inspiration or trip ideas
• Minimal effort – just open the email and book if the deal fits

Depending on your travel style, you may want one or the other – or both. The best part is they can work together. Use alert services to get inspired, then use search tools to fine-tune your trip.

Try The Premium Passport From The Points Analyst

If you are looking for a curated, high-value award alert service, The Premium Passport is your secret weapon. This premium alert service, created by The Points Analyst, tracks the best award deals across major programs and sends them straight to your inbox.

Each alert includes:

• Premium cabin flights on top carriers like Emirates, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, and Starlux
• Booking instructions and transfer partner guidance
• Real-time availability info, so you can act fast

The Premium Passport is perfect for anyone who wants to travel better without spending hours searching. Whether you are a casual points user or an experienced traveler, these alerts help you jump on the best deals – before they disappear.

Sign up for The Premium Passport and start getting award deals that turn points into unforgettable trips.

The Best Credit Cards For Earning Points

Before you can start running award searches or booking those dream flights, you need one important thing: points.

And not just any points – flexible points.

Flexible points are transferable currencies that you can move to a wide range of airline and hotel partners. When you have flexible points, you are not locked into a single airline program.

This means you can choose the best deal from your search tool and transfer your points accordingly.

For example, if you find a great Business Class seat through Aeroplan one day and a sweet spot with Virgin Atlantic the next, flexible points let you book both – using the same credit card currency.

Here are the top credit cards to consider for earning the most valuable, transferable points:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• American Express® Gold Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Citi Premier® Card

All of these cards offer strong earning rates on travel and dining, generous welcome bonuses, and access to top transfer partners like Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca lifemiles, British Airways Executive Club (Avios), Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and more.

With the right card in your wallet, you can build a points balance that works with any of the award flight search tools or alert services mentioned in this guide.

Final Thoughts

Searching for award flights no longer needs to feel frustrating or overwhelming.

With the right combination of tools and strategies, you can find better seats, use fewer points, and save hours of time. Whether you prefer the control of running your own searches or the convenience of curated alerts, there is a solution that fits your travel style.

Tools like Seats.aero, Roame.travel, Point.me, and Awayz each offer unique strengths to help you uncover the award flights and hotel stays that match your goals.

From lightning-fast search results to guided booking and full-trip planning, these platforms take the guesswork out of using points effectively.

If you want someone else to do the work for you, a service like The Premium Passport makes it easy to spot high-value award deals the moment they become available.

And with a strong foundation of flexible points from the right credit cards, you can act fast and book the best deals wherever they appear.

The most rewarding trips often begin long before you reach the airport. They start with a smart search, the right tool, and a few well-earned points.

Now that you have everything you need, the next move is yours.

Start exploring, start booking, and let your points take you further than you thought possible.

And if you still need help or have questions, you may like to join our free community fully of travel enthusiasts who have used every Points & Miles tool you can imagine.

Join For Free Now and let us know how we can help you.

Kevin Zanes