Avoiding Last Minute Booking Fees on Award Tickets

March 06, 2016

•

3 min read

Avoiding Last Minute Booking Fees on Award Tickets

The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Daily Newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

I've talked about this before, but one of the greatest uses of airline miles is to fly yourself or a loved one last minute when airfare prices can be astronomical, but the mileage price of the ticket can seem comparably reasonable. Given the current level of uncertainty at our house thanks to medical appointments and similar, we have had relatives, specifically the grandparents in Kansas, on a stand-by of sorts in case the troops on the ground here need reinforcements.

That means thinking through the ways that we can book last minute award tickets without incurring additional fees in case the need arises. Even if you do get hit with a last minute booking fee of $75 or similar for booking within 21 days of departure as is charged by United and American Airlines, it can still be worth it to use miles for last minute tickets depending on the cash price, but no fees are better than fees, so here are seven ways to avoid last minute booking fees on award tickets.

Avoiding Last Minute Booking Fees on Award Tickets:

High level airline elites typically are not charged close-in booking fees, so if you or someone else who can book the ticket for you has high level elite status with an airline then this may be the time to book the award from that account.
British Airways charges no close-in booking fees, and you can fly on partners such as American Airlines or Alaska, if there is saver award availability on those flights. Transfers to British Airways from Membership Rewards and Ultimate Rewards are pretty much instant, so this is a big fan favorite for last minute bookings.
Alaska Airlines charges no close-in booking fees and you can fly not only Alaska, but American Airlines and Delta operated flights.
Aeroplan, Singapore, and ANA all charge no close-in booking fees and you can fly Star Alliance partners like United Airlines if there is saver award availability. However, be aware that if you are transferring points into some of those programs from a credit card points program like Membership Rewards, Ultimate Rewards, or Citi ThankYou that the transfers aren't all instant and that can hinder you booking your last minute award travel by several days, which may not be helpful in all situations. ANA also does not allow for award bookings for flights departing within the next 96 hours. That said, you can make instant transfers from Amex Membership Rewards to Aeroplan, so that may be a solid route for quick last minute bookings.
JetBlue and Southwest do not have close-in booking fees, but since the price in points is tied to the selling price of the ticket, it may require more points than you are used to spending for that close-in award ticket.
Delta does not charge a close-in booking fee, but they charge more miles for tickets booked within 21 days or departure, so that may not be your best route.
There are no close-in booking fees on United if you have the United Club Card. Some have also utilized a date change feature to avoid paying a close-in booking fee on United, but that isn't a route I can stand behind since it isn't within the rules and involves some risk of not working.

Have you ever had to book a close-in award ticket? What did you do to avoid or minimize last minute booking fees?

TPG featured card

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

3.5 / 5

Go to review

Apply now

at American Express's secure site

Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

Rewards rate

3X	Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
1X	Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

Earn up to 125,000 Bonus Miles

Annual fee

$650

Regular APR

19.49%-28.49% Variable

Recommended credit

Excellent to Good

Pros

Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
Ability to earn MQDs through spending
Various statement credits for eligible purchases

Cons

Steep annual fee of $650
Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories

Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
$240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
$120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
$650 Annual Fee.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.
See Rates & Fees