Booking award flights with points can save you money, but when flying from a smaller city, sometimes you need to position yourself in a larger hub airport to get the best deals.

This step-by-step guide shows you how to use tools like FlightConnections and PointsYeah (formerly AwardLogic) to book award flights, even when you need to position.

I’ll also provide tips for maximizing your miles and avoiding common pitfalls.

What is Positioning for Award Flights?

Positioning means booking a flight to a different city or hub that has better award flight availability. For example, if you live in a smaller city with limited direct flights to your destination, you might need to fly to a larger airport (like New York or Chicago) to find better options for your award flight. By leveraging positioning, you can save miles and increase your chances of securing an award ticket.

Step-by-Step Guide to Booking Award Flights Using FlightConnections and PointsYeah

Step 1: Find the Best Airports to Position Using FlightConnections

FlightConnections is a free tool showing you the direct routes from any airport. Use it to identify nearby airports with better connections and more award flight options.

1. Go to FlightConnections
   Visit FlightConnections.com.
2. Search for Your Home City
   Enter your home city or departure airport into the search bar. FlightConnections will display a map showing all the direct flight routes from that airport.
3. Identify Nearby Hubs
   Look for larger airports with more international routes. For example, if you’re in Tampa (TPA), check nearby hubs like Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), or Atlanta (ATL) for more flight options.
4. Choose the Best Positioning Airport
   Pick a nearby hub with extensive international connections. This will give you greater flexibility when booking your award flight.

Step 2: Search for Award Availability Using PointsYeah

Once you’ve identified a nearby hub, use PointsYeah to search for available award flights. PointsYeah lets you compare flights across multiple airlines and frequent flyer programs.

1. Visit PointsYeah
   Go to PointsYeah.com and create an account.
2. Enter Your Search Details
   In the search bar, input your departure city (the hub where you positioned yourself) and destination city (your final destination). For instance, if you’re flying from Chicago (ORD) to Paris (CDG), enter these cities.
3. Use Filters to Narrow Results
   PointsYeah allows you to filter results by:
   • Miles required (e.g., how many points)
   • Flight duration
   • Alliance or airline program (e.g., American Airlines, United MileagePlus)
   This makes it easier to find the best award options for your needs.
4. Review the Results
   PointsYeah will show you available award flights, including mileage requirements and flight details. You may find a flight from Chicago to Paris with American Airlines for 30,000 miles, or a flight with British Airways for 35,000 miles.
5. Book Your Award Flight
   Once you find a flight that suits you, book directly with the airline or a partner airline. Check for any additional taxes or fees associated with your booking.

Step 3: Book Your Positioning Flight

Now that you’ve found your award flight, it’s time to book your positioning flight to the hub airport.

1. Search for Positioning Flights
   Use Google Flights or Momondo to find affordable flights to the hub where you’ll catch your award flight. For example, search for flights from Tampa (TPA) to Chicago (ORD).
2. Use Flexible Dates
   Both Google Flights and Momondo offer flexible date options that allow you to compare prices and find the cheapest flights for positioning.
3. Book Your Positioning Flight
   Once you’ve found the best option, book your positioning flight. Keep in mind that this flight will be separate from your award flight, so make sure to review baggage policies and timing carefully.
4. Allow Enough Time Between Flights
   If your positioning flight and award flight are on separate tickets, leave at least 2-3 hours between flights to ensure you have time to check in, clear security, and re-check your luggage if needed.

Maximizing Points Efficiency

Step 4: Maximize Points Value and Avoid Fees

When positioning yourself in a larger hub, make sure you’re using your points as efficiently as possible. Some airlines may offer lower redemption rates on specific routes, especially if they have frequent partner availability.

• Maximize Miles: For example, consider booking a flight with a partner airline that charges fewer points, like Iberia or Aer Lingus instead of a more popular airline like British Airways.
• Avoid Premium Surcharges: Some award flights come with high fuel surcharges. If you’re flying on a route with British Airways, for instance, check for partner flights with American Airlines, which may not have the same fees.

Be Aware of Taxes and Fees

Award flights are not always “free”—they often come with additional taxes and fees, especially on international flights. These can add up quickly, particularly on long-haul flights.

• Example: An award flight to Europe might cost you 40,000 miles, but fuel surcharges can be as high as $300-$500. Always check the full cost, including taxes and surcharges, before booking.

Step 5: Common Pitfalls to Avoid

While booking award flights and positioning, keep an eye on these common mistakes:

1. Underestimating Connection Time
   If your positioning flight and award flight are on separate tickets, leave enough time (2-3 hours) between flights. If you miss a connection, you’ll need to buy a new ticket or book a new award flight.
2. Not Checking Award Availability Frequently
   Award seats often become available in waves or might be released last-minute. If you can’t find availability for your first choice, check back periodically, or set up alerts on tools like PointsYeah.
3. Ignoring Baggage Rules
   When booking separate tickets, especially with budget airlines or partner airlines, be sure to double-check baggage allowances and fees. On separate tickets, you may need to collect and re-check your luggage.
4. Booking During Peak Times
   Award availability is limited during peak travel seasons like holidays and summer. If possible, try to plan your trip during off-peak times when there’s more award availability.

Step 6: Alternative Tools and Apps

Here are some other useful tools to help you book award flights more efficiently:

1. ExpertFlyer (https://www.expertflyer.com)
   A premium tool (with a free trial) that provides detailed award seat availability and expert-level search features, particularly for premium cabin seats.
2. Point.me (https://www.point.me)
   A relatively new tool that helps you find the best way to use your points across multiple frequent flyer programs. It simplifies the search for award flights on partner airlines.
3. FlyerTalk Forums (https://www.flyertalk.com)
   A great community for frequent travelers. You can get advice on finding availability, maximizing miles, and booking tips from seasoned award travelers.
4. AwardWallet (https://www.awardwallet.com)
   Track your frequent flyer miles and award availability. It also helps you manage points across multiple loyalty programs.

Real-Life Example of Positioning for an Award Flight

Let’s say you live in Denver (DEN) and want to book an award flight to Tokyo (NRT) using United MileagePlus miles. Unfortunately, there’s limited award availability directly from Denver to Tokyo.

1. Position in Chicago:
   You check FlightConnections and see that Chicago (ORD) offers frequent direct flights to Tokyo (NRT). You decide to position yourself in Chicago.
2. Search for Award Availability:
   You use PointsYeah to find availability for an award flight from Chicago to Tokyo. You find an option with United Airlines for 40,000 miles in economy.
3. Book the Positioning Flight:
   You use Google Flights to find a budget flight from Denver to Chicago. You book a cheap round-trip positioning flight for $100.

Conclusion: Smart Award Flight Booking with Positioning

Booking award flights using points can be a game-changer, especially when you need to position yourself at a larger hub airport. By using tools like FlightConnections and PointsYeah, and following the tips in this guide, you can maximize the value of your miles and avoid common pitfalls.

Start planning your next award trip today and enjoy the benefits of smarter flight booking!