When paying for flights with money, you can normally just choose the flight you want and book it. But when redeeming points for reward tickets, things unfortunately aren’t quite that simple. That’s because you’re restricted by the limited availability of award seats, as well as the different rules governing frequent flyer redemption tickets.

Unfortunately, not all flights have award seats available in every class of travel. In fact, very few flights tend to have premium cabin award availability during peak periods. That’s why it’s important to be flexible and plan ahead when redeeming points for award travel!

Over the years, we’ve noticed some common errors that lots of Australians are making when trying to redeem their points for award flights. Here are 8 of the most common award flight booking mistakes and how you can avoid them.

1. Lack of flexibility

When redeeming points, you really do need to be flexible with travel dates, airlines and routings. Keep an open mind – the more flexible you are, the more likely you’ll be able to find a suitable flight!

If you’re only willing to fly on a specific date or on a particular airline, you might get lucky… but you might need to pay for a regular ticket.

If your travel plans aren’t flexible and you have one of the top two status tiers with Qantas or Virgin Australia, you may be able to request the release of additional reward seats. Qantas Platinum and Platinum members can request Classic Reward seats on Qantas-operated flights. And Velocity Gold and Platinum members can take advantage of the guaranteed Economy Reward Seat benefit when booking at least six months in advance.

2. Trying to book at the last minute

Award seats often sell out months before the flight – especially for travel during peak periods like school holidays, Christmas and around major sporting events.

Airlines start to release award seats around 11-12 months in advance of each flight. If you want to travel during a peak period, it’s probably a good idea to get in early.

That said, some airlines do release extra reward seats at the last minute. If you aren’t able to plan your trips a year ahead, you may get lucky with some last-minute award availability! But there’s no guarantee of this, so it is a risk you’re taking.

3. Only searching for award availability on your airline’s own website

Many people don’t realise that your airline’s own website probability doesn’t show you all your award flight options! Many websites omit results on certain routes or partner airlines. They often also only show you certain connections.

You may need to search sector-by-sector, use a third-party website or call the airline to get a more accurate picture of award flights that are actually available.

For example, you may find it helpful to search on the Japan Airlines website for Oneworld award availability.

4. Making other travel arrangements before booking the flights

Award availability is limited, so you won’t always be able to get your first choice of flights. That’s why we always suggest locking in your flights before booking hotels, hire cars, tours or other travel arrangements. You may need to fly on a different date than you originally planned.

5. Earning points with only one airline

If you only earn Qantas points or Velocity points, you’re limiting your options. These programs will get you where you want to go some of the time, but every frequent flyer program has its limitations.

By keeping a balance of points with more than one program, you’ll have access to more options when you wish to redeem the points!

If you earn points through your credit card spend, try to accumulate points with a flexible rewards program such as Amex Membership Rewards. These programs let you transfer your points out to a choice of different airlines, as needed.

6. Assuming that points & status credits will be earned on award bookings

Unfortunately, you won’t earn any points or status credits when booking a reward ticket.

If status credits are important to you, you’ll generally have to pay for flights or use Points+Pay. Bookings made using Points+Pay are different to fixed-price Classic Rewards and do earn points and status credits because they are just regular commercial airfares that you’re paying for with points.

The good news is that you’ll receive most of the benefits of status anyway (such as lounge access and priority check-in) if you’re flying in Business or First Class on points.

There are limited exceptions to this rule. For example, Qantas Points Club members can earn status credits on Qantas Classic Flight Reward bookings with a “QF” flight number.

 7. Overestimating the value of points

Award flights are great value, but you do need to have enough points to book the flights you want.

If you have a reward in mind, it’s a good idea to check the number of frequent flyer points required well in advance so that you can plan accordingly.

If you’re short on points, you might consider buying extra points or taking out a credit card with a generous sign-up bonus. You could also supplement your award booking with a paid airfare/s.

8. Assuming upgrades are good value

To be clear, upgrades can be great value! But it rarely makes sense to upgrade when you can book outright Business Class award seats instead.

On many airlines, award and upgrade availability is exactly the same. So if there’s a Business Class upgrade available, you would also have the option of just redeeming for an outright award seat. This is typically much better value as it only requires a slightly higher number of points – but you’ll save hundreds or even thousands by not paying for the Economy airfare.

Upgrading with Qantas points on Qantas international flights works a bit differently because upgrades are never confirmed in advance. The number of points needed to upgrade a Qantas flight is almost the same amount of points as an outright reward seat, so if you have the option, it’s better to just book a reward seat.

Would you like help to use your points?

The Frequent Flyer Concierge service can help you find award availability and get more value from your points.

Having trouble finding and booking reward seats?

Our Frequent Flyer Concierge is here to help!

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Matt Graham

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 90 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include aviation, economics & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.