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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Katie Genter is a digital nomad who has traveled full time since June 2017. She writes and edits stories about points and miles, and loyalty programs, often letting her personal experiences color these stories.
As a senior writer for TPG, Tarah Chieffi helps readers travel better, more often and within their budget.
also contributed to this story
August 8, 2025 • 7 min read
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.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Booking flights at the right time can help secure lower prices and better availability, but there is no universal best time to book.
Most U.S. airlines open their booking windows for revenue and award flights between six and 11 months before departure, with specific timelines varying by carrier.
Award seats, especially in premium cabins, are often released when the booking window opens, though additional seats may appear closer to departure.
Tracking flight prices and setting alerts can improve your chances of finding deals, whether booking with cash or points.
What to consider
Booking windows may open at midnight in the airline's corporate time zone, but this is not guaranteed.
Seasonal routes and partner award space may not be available immediately when the schedule opens, so checking frequently is recommended.
Award booking windows for international airlines may differ by a few days due to time zone differences.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed chart of booking windows for major U.S. and international airlines, plus tips on maximizing award and cash bookings.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Whether you pay for your tickets with cash, points or miles, booking your flight at the right time can help you get the lowest price and the best availability. Unfortunately, there's no simple answer to the question of when is the best time to book a flight.
But, you can find award availability with some programs if you book right when award space becomes bookable. And, although rates may drop later, you can sometimes find decent paid rates shortly after the booking window opens.
This article provides data we've collected about when revenue flights and award flights become bookable through popular airline programs. It also includes other details you may need to know about booking a flight in advance.
How far in advance can you book an airline ticket?
Some U.S.-based airlines open their booking windows for revenue flights a particular number of days before departure. You usually won’t see the lowest fares for these airlines right when the booking window opens. However, other airlines periodically extend travel dates for which they’ll accept reservations. You can often snag the lowest fare for these airlines by booking your trip shortly after the booking window opens.
Below, you'll find when the revenue booking window opens for all the major U.S.-based airlines. This window lets you know how far in advance you can book your flight. However, keep in mind that seasonal routes may not be loaded when the booking window opens.
Airline
Revenue booking window opens
Alaska Airlines
331 days before departure
Allegiant Air
Varies, but typically six to nine months in advance
American Airlines
331 days before departure
Delta Air Lines
331 days before departure
Frontier Airlines
Varies, but typically five to nine months in advance
Hawaiian Airlines
330 days before departure
JetBlue Airways
331 days before departure
Southwest Airlines
Varies, but typically eight to 10 months in advance
Spirit Airlines
Varies, but typically around six months in advance
Sun Country Airlines
Varies, but typically up to nine months in advance
United Airlines
337 days before departure
Bookings may open at midnight in the airline's corporate time zone, but this is by no means a hard rule. There is also often a lag between when an airline loads its schedule and when flights become bookable.
For airlines that periodically extend the date through which you can book flights, you may want to subscribe to the airline’s email newsletter in hopes that it sends an announcement when it extends the flight schedule. We also usually cover Southwest Airlines' schedule extensions.
Of course, if the airline you’re interested in isn’t listed above, you can search the airline’s website to determine how far out you can currently book.
Knowing when the booking window opens can be critical if you’re looking to snag award tickets, especially if you want to travel in a premium cabin. Although there’s no guarantee that an airline will release award seats when the booking window opens, some may release a few seats. You’ll have the best chance of snagging these seats if you act quickly once the booking window opens.
ROCKAA/GETTY IMAGES
For U.S. carriers, the award booking window opens at the same time as revenue ticket bookings. We've also included a few popular international airlines in the chart below. However, the numbers in the chart may be plus or minus a day due to time zone differences. So, you may want to start searching for your award a few days early.
Airline
Award booking window opens
Notes
Air Canada Aeroplan
360 days
Avianca LifeMiles
355 days
May allow bookings for partners that release award space farther out (for example, TAP Air Portugal at 360 days)
British Airways Club
354 days
Etihad Guest
361 days
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
355 days
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
331 days
Note that you usually can't book award flights until the airline you are booking with (using its miles or points) and the airline you are flying on open award bookings for your travel date.
If your favorite airline isn’t in the table above — or you want to see for yourself how far out you can book an award ticket on a particular airline — check when both the airline you're flying with and the airline you're booking through usually start accepting award bookings. By doing so, you'll determine when to start checking availability.
How far in advance should I book award travel?
The best time to book award travel is usually when the schedule opens or at the last minute. Airlines typically release a first batch of award space when the schedule opens (between 330 and 361 days before your flight) and another batch shortly before the flight.
However, many airlines also periodically release award availability, so it's worth setting up award alerts with a tool like Expert Flyer (owned by TPG’s parent company, Red Ventures) or Seats.aero.
Can you book a flight more than a year in advance?
On most airlines, you can't book a flight more than a year in advance. Refer to the chart above for each airline's exact booking window data, but most are between six and 11 months before your departure date.
How far in advance should I book my flight if I pay cash?
Generally, domestic flights should be booked one to four months in advance, and international flights at least six months in advance. However, booking holiday travel as soon as possible is often best.
MELKINIMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
However, these are only guidelines. It's best to track flight prices to determine a good price for your route. If you have a Capital One card, you might want to book through Capital One Travel, which offers advice on whether now is the right time to book and price match and price drop protection.
It's important to know when the booking window opens for airlines that increase fares as more seats are booked (as well as for premium-cabin seats, as awards for these seats are limited). If you have one of these bookings coming up, your best bet is to set a calendar reminder a day or two before you expect the booking window to open so you can start checking availability. Continue checking availability until you find a product and cost you are happy with. And remember to use one of the top travel cards to book your flight.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
