How to Tell How Many Award Seats Are on a Flight
One of the hardest steps in progressing from an award novice to a points pro is mastering the art of the award availability search. You have plenty of resources at your disposal, including each airline's website and/or app and third party tools like ExpertFlyer. One thing that can make this process more confusing is the fact that each search engine displays information in a slightly different way. Even if you know that a flight has some award seats available, you might not know exactly how many there are.
Today we'll try and answer that question and help you figure out just how many award seats are available on a given flight.
The Easy Answer
This might seem like a silly question to you — if you need five award seats on the same flight, simply search for five seats and see what options come up. However, most flights don't have more than one or two seats available, especially in premium cabins. If you search for a larger number, you might not see any results at all and get frustrated about "how hard it is to use your miles."
This approach also eliminates a ton of flexibility. Maybe your group of five is really three people from one family and two from another, who are fine with taking separate flights as long as they get to the same place. For families traveling together, maybe you can have one parent fly with one child and another fly with the other. What this means is that in many cases, a flexible group of five will have more luck searching for only two or three award seats at a given time.
User-Friendly Search Engines
If you're looking to see exactly how many seats are available on a given flight, one option is to utilize a user-friendly award search engine run by a specific airline. While what follows is by no means a complete list, these are some of the most popular frequent flyer programs that can show you the exact number of open awards on a flight.
British Airways (for Oneworld awards)
While I find British Airways' website to be rather glitchy, it unfortunately ranks as one of the best search engines for Oneworld award availability. If you plan on flying Cathay Pacific or JAL in a premium cabin, you're practically required to go through British Airways (but more on that in a moment). For all the complaints I have about British Airways, it's very nice to be able to log in and see at once that there are four business class award seats available on JAL's flight from New York-JFK to Tokyo-Narita (NRT).
Even if I'd only been planning on booking one or two seats, seeing this information might inspire me to invite friends or family to come travel with me. Just note that if there are more than seven seats open, the site will likely not list the exact number — like the above JFK-NRT flight in premium economy.
Normally the next best option for searching Oneworld award space is the Qantas website. While it generally offers a smoother user experience (and lets you search for availability a month at a time), it won't show you how many seats are available on a given flight.
United Expert Mode
This trick only works for flights operated by United (and not Star Alliance partners), but it's definitely worth filing away in your mental toolbox. United offers a feature called "Expert Mode" that shows you how many seats in each fare class — award, revenue and upgrade — are available on a given flight. Sure, you could search the normal way by finding a date that has award availability and increasing the number of seats you search for one at a time. Or you could hop right over to Expert Mode.
Once you've enabled this functionality in your profile preferences, you need to conduct a revenue search, not an award search. From the results page, expand the details for a United-operated flight and look for the fare class you need.
Here's an example that has I9, meaning that it has a whopping nine saver award seats available in United Polaris.
Avianca LifeMiles
Avianca LifeMiles has quickly risen from obscurity to become one of the most popular frequent flyer programs out there thanks to low mileage rates, no fuel surcharges and a plethora of transfer options (you can transfer from American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Capital One to Avianca). LifeMiles doesn't always show you exactly how many awards are available on a given day, but it will give you an alert when there are only a few left. In the example below, you can see that there are only two first class awards left on Lufthansa's second daily flight from Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) to Frankfurt (FRA) — meaning you should book now instead of waiting around.
ExpertFlyer
In about 75% of cases, my award searches begin and end on ExpertFlyer and don't even involve the website of the airline with which I'm trying to fly (or book). While ExpertFlyer is only as good as the data it receives from each individual airline, for many of them it will tell you exactly how many award seats are available on whatever day you're searching for.
In this case, you can see how many seats are available in each cabin of Etihad's 787 Dreamliner on the flight from Washington-Dulles (IAD) to Abu Dhabi (AUH).
However, there are many airlines that simply return your search with a "yes" or "no" and not an exact number. In this case, you're forced to figure this out the old fashioned way by searching for more and more seats until nothing comes back.
Bottom Line
This is by no means an exhaustive list but just an intro to a few popular programs that make your life easier by giving you one additional piece of important information — how many award seats are available. This can help you identify the urgency of booking: Can you wait, or should you lock in your trip right now? Just remember that all of this can change at a moment's notice, so when in doubt, go ahead and confirm the reservation. You'd hate to assume that you can wait a day (or even an hour) only to find yourself staring at a flight that suddenly has no award availability at all.
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.