How to Beat Dynamic Airline Award Prices

The main incentive to stay loyal to one particular airline is your ability to earn points and miles . A few years ago, you could be sure that a business class flight to Europe would cost no more than 60,000 points or miles one way. Unfortunately, frequent flyers no longer have that guarantee, ever since major airline loyalty programs switched to dynamic pricing.

According to The Points Guy , today the same flight with 60,000 points will cost a whopping 315,000 SkyMiles. So yes, dynamic airline premium pricing can be frustrating, but there are some strategies you can use to maximize your chances of getting the best value for your miles or points.

Plan ahead and stay flexible

Be open to flexible travel dates and destinations. Consider traveling during off-peak seasons or days. Premium prices are often lower when demand is lower, such as mid-week or off-season flights. Another underrated hack is to look for awards at alternative airports that are still within a reasonable distance.

In addition to flexibility, timing is everything. Book award flights in advance. Dynamic pricing tends to increase as the departure date approaches and availability decreases.

Similarly, keep a close eye on the availability of award tickets for your desired flights before the departure date. Airlines may provide additional award seats closer to the departure date, so diligence can pay off.

Check out our partner airlines

Sometimes partner airlines offer different premium rates or availability that may work to your advantage. In particular, look out for affiliate programs that retain premium tables rather than dynamic pricing.

Use transfer points

If you have credit card rewards points, please check if they can be transferred to your chosen partner airline. If you want to redeem points from a transferable credit card for flights, you can purchase them from a bank-specific travel site (such as Amex Travel ), or you can transfer your points directly to your frequent flyer program and book flights based on this program. premium rates.

Booking mixed cabins

Some airlines allow you to book mixed cabin itineraries with miles. This can be a great way to save miles while maintaining the comfort of a premium cabin.

Mixed cash and points options

Some programs offer cash and points payment options, allowing you to pay for your ticket with miles and cash. This can be useful when premium rates are high but you still want to use your miles.

Use rate comparison tools

Use websites and fare comparison tools to track and compare premium fares across airlines and dates. For example, we recommend this Chrome extension that searches for the cheapest flights on every airline booking site.

Be patient and persistent

The availability of rewards can change frequently, so be patient and keep looking for the best options. Perseverance can pay off when you’re trying to find the best premium price. Remember that dynamic pricing can be unpredictable, but by using these strategies and staying flexible, you can increase your chances of getting the most out of airline miles or airline points.