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Everyone has their own process for finding award availability. I usually start by running a Google Flights search to identify most of the flight possibilities for my itinerary. But unfortunately, Google Flights only provides cash prices for flights.
So, I'll then take my Google Flights search results and narrow down the options by cross-checking award prices with individual airlines. I often consult another search tool, such as PointsYeah or Seats.aero, to find award pricing. In the past, this whole process could become rather time-consuming.
Recently, however, I found a handy tool that cuts out a step and allows me to see both the cash and award rates in one place: Points Path. Points Path is a browser extension that searches award availability automatically and compares cash and awards rates right in Google Flights search results.
Here's how to get Points Path, how to use it, and how it can save you money, points, and time.
Page Contents
What Is Points Path?
If you use a Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser on your computer, you can install a free browser extension to make your flight searches easier. Points Path displays award availability and rates right next to cash prices when you run a search on Google Flights. Additionally, it will give you suggestions for which options present the best deal based on the data it gathers about points and mile values.
Points Path just launched in January 2024, so it's still expanding and working out the kinks. At the moment, you can't use the extension on Safari. However, the company notes on its website that it plans to offer this in the near future.
Related: Point.Me, Roame.Travel, PointsYeah: Which Flight Award Availability Search Tool Is Best?
How Does Points Path Work?
The Points Path extension is free and the founder promises it will remain free, though they may add paid features in the future. It is also a quick and safe download. Click on the blue Download the Extension button on the webpage and Points Path will send you an email with a link to add the extension to your browser.
Once installed, you can find it among your other browser extensions in your screen's top right-hand corner. After you create an account and agree to its terms, the results will appear when you use Google Flights.
Once it's installed, you'll see two extra columns when you search on Google Flights. These will give you information about award pricing and whether cash or the award rate is a better deal for each flight option shown.
Currently, Points Path will pull data on the following airlines: United, American, Delta, JetBlue, Air France/KLM, Air Canada, Alaska, and Emirates. You can customize which airlines you want to see mileage data for. For example, if you do not have American Airlines miles and therefore don't want to compare prices to miles, you can toggle the off button for American Airlines.
Related: The Best Flight Price Tracker Websites
How to Use Points Path to Save Miles and Money
With the extension, Google Flights search results will also give you a recommendation for which you should use: points/miles or cash. If it recommends booking with points, it will tell you whether it's a good or a great deal.
Notice below that the results show that this Air France flight is a great deal, but the Delta option would be better booked with cash. You can also see that the TAP Air Portugal option is not bookable on points — at least with tracked programs. And the ITA flight doesn't list miles data because Points Path doesn't yet track the program.
You can get even more information by clicking on the program below the miles data. Here, you will find which programs the flight is bookable through and where you can transfer points from to book the flight.
In the example below, you can see that you can book this flight with either Air France/KLM Flying Blue miles or Delta SkyMiles. Flying Blue presents the better deal. Notice that Points Path shows you all how to transfer points to the Flying Blue program and even adjusts the number of points needed from Citi, given an ongoing transfer bonus.
Once you find an option you like, you can link to the booking site directly from the link added to Google Flights search results.
How Does Points Path Determine the Value of a Deal?
You might be wondering how Points Path decides whether or not to recommend an award booking and how it determines whether a deal is good or great. According to its website, Points Path uses an algorithm that considers taxes and fees before comparing the two currencies. It then uses historical data to assign an average value to each program.
These are the values that Points Path uses for its recommendations:
These values are consistently less than what AwardWallet users typically redeem their points for. So, while I appreciate the recommendations that Points Path gives for flight options, I don't always agree that the “great deal” is, in fact, great. Sometimes it's just good.
That said, I'm not your typical traveler; I'm always looking to optimize my redemptions. Nonetheless, I do find the data and even the recommendation helpful as a tool for gathering options.
Related: How Much Do AwardWallet Members Actually Save When Redeeming Points?
Our Take
Points Path is an incredibly useful tool that has saved me tons of time in my award-booking searches. New points and miles collectors may find the recommendations and program transfer data especially helpful when determining how to book their travel.
However, virtually all award travelers can find plenty of value in the one-stop-shop browser extension. If you haven't yet given it a try, you're missing out on a streamlined, efficient way to maximize your travel rewards and ensure you're getting the best possible value for your hard-earned rewards.
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