Booking Travel Archives - AwardWallet Blog

The Best Points and Miles for Flights to Australia and New Zealand

August 31, 2026 77

Flying to the South Pacific using points and miles can be one of the most difficult challenges a points and miles enthusiast can encounter. There is a limited selection of flights operated by a limited number of airlines, and it takes a long time to get there. However, there are still sweet spot redemptions out there, especially if you book in advance or at the last minute.

Ajay Jain & Shawn Gallagher

Reviewed by Toni Southam

Award Availability Explained: How To Find and Book Flights With Miles

August 30, 2026 23

Have you ever felt like you can’t use miles for any of the trips you want to take? Booking award travel is one of the biggest challenges for points and miles beginners. In this post, we’ll explain how award availability works and why it’s one of the most important concepts to master so you can use your miles to get where you want to go.

Dan Miller & Ajay Jain

Reviewed by Toni Southam

Unaccompanied Minor Travel: Airline Rules, Fees, and How To Use Points and Miles

August 24, 2026 0

Letting your child fly without you can be more than a little scary. Luckily, the airlines have systems in place to make it go as smoothly as possible. If you’re booking your child on a solo trip, this guide should help you plan a safe journey for them. Using points and miles can make it an affordable experience.

Brie Bash

Reviewed by Toni Southam

Hotel Free Night Award Cancellation Rules: What Happens to Your Certificate If You Cancel?

August 23, 2026 42

We’ve rounded up free night award change and cancellation policies for the major hotel programs, and thrown in an example to show when you need to cancel to receive a full refund of your points. Make sure you know the policies of your favorite programs so you don't get caught at the last minute and lose your points.

Samantha Holland & Anthony Cave

Reviewed by Toni Southam

Gondola Review: A Win for Catching Price Drops and Making Loyalty-Eligible Hotel Bookings

August 23, 2026 3

Gondola is a travel portal that promises to help you earn more on every stay thanks to loyalty-eligible bookings. While it might not be as popular as its competitors, it offers functionality that can't be beat — including auto-rebooking if you book a refundable room and your hotel gets cheaper before you check in. And the best part? Gondola is completely free to use. Here's everything to know about Gondola, including how to maximize its integration with AwardWallet.

Harrison Pierce

Reviewed by JT Genter

Point.me Levels Up Explore Tool: Easily Discover Where Your Points Can Take You

August 18, 2026 1

If you've got a stash of points and miles but aren't quite sure where to go, Point.me — the award search tool — has a solution. The aptly named Explore tool gives you a bird's-eye view of available award flights across multiple cities — an invaluable resource for travelers who want to make a redemption but don’t have a particular destination in mind. Here's how the Point.me Explore tool works, and new features to be aware of.

Harrison Pierce & Tyler Glatt

Reviewed by JT Genter

Bank of America Travel Center: New Way to Book Flights, Hotels, Cars, and Activities

August 18, 2026 0

The Bank of America Travel Portal has been revamped and allows you to use your accumulated points for flights, hotels, car rentals and more. We'll show you how to use your points and book travel, and even how to get extra value out of those rewards.

Ben Nickel-D'Andrea

Reviewed by Harrison Pierce

How Many Miles Do You Need for a Free Flight?

August 10, 2026 38

If you've built up a stash of airline miles, the next step is understanding how award pricing works. Learn what determines the number of miles you'll need for a flight, why award prices vary between programs, and how to get the best value from your rewards.

Ian Snyder & Ben Nickel-D'Andrea

Reviewed by Toni Southam

1,100+ American Airlines Routes That You Can Book for Just 6,000 Etihad Guest Miles

August 9, 2026 0

American Airlines operates hundreds of U.S. routes, and many can be booked using Etihad Guest miles. One standout sweet spot is short-haul AA flights under 500 miles for just 6,000 miles each way. Here are over 1,100 routes you can book for this price and how to earn the miles to reserve them.

Lauren Wynn

Reviewed by JT Genter

How To Gift a Hotel Award Stay Using Points or Free Night Certificates

August 8, 2026 1

Free hotel nights are a perk that everyone loves to enjoy. Even better, most large hotels brands allow you to gift this to a friend or family member. In this post, we'll go over the policies for each hotel and how you can gift an award stay to a friend or loved one.

Jenna Hansen

Reviewed by Toni Southam

Fly All Fall and Winter for $199: What to Know About Frontier’s Just-Launched Seasonal GoWild! Pass

August 5, 2026 3

The Frontier Airlines GoWild! Pass can be very valuable, but it's not for every traveler. For travelers who don't need checked bags, seats, or other perks — and can be flexible enough to take a trip on a moment's notice — this pass might be for you. Here's what to know.

Harrison Pierce & Tyler Glatt

Reviewed by JT Genter

Roame.Travel Review: A Free, Fast Way To Search Award Flights Across 33 Loyalty Programs

August 2, 2026 9

Are you tired of searching flight award inventory for hours on end, only to be disappointed by the results? Let an award search tool do the heavy lifting for you! Roame.Travel searches over two dozen loyalty programs for flight or hotel award space. Here are the tips and tricks of this powerful award search tool.

Ross Denkin & Harrison Pierce

Reviewed by Toni Southam

All the Ways To Book a Cruise With Points and Miles

July 26, 2026 0

Booking a cruise with points and miles usually isn't the best way to maximize the value of your rewards, but it can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs. From bank travel portals and statement credits to airline miles, hotel points, and valuable credit card perks, there are several smart ways to make your next cruise vacation more affordable.

Brie Bash

Reviewed by Toni Southam

The Best Points and Miles for Free Flights to Tokyo

July 21, 2026 2

We could list several reasons to support the claim that Japan is an incredible place to visit. But to save you the time and provide the encouragement necessary to see it and create experiences for yourself, we'll jump right to the best ways to get to the country's most accessible metropolis: Tokyo. Here are the five best points and miles currencies to get to Tokyo, Japan.

Tyler Glatt & Shawn Gallagher

Reviewed by Toni Southam

When To Book an Airbnb vs. Hotel

July 19, 2026 3

Airbnb vs hotel: When should you choose one over the other? It's a common travel dilemma. We're delving into the benefits Airbnb offers, including communal areas for groups of travelers and families, and comparing them with hotel perks, like the ability to use rewards. Which is better for your next trip?

Samantha Holland & Harrison Pierce

Reviewed by Toni Southam

How To Find Cheap Flights — Whether You’re Paying Cash, Using Miles, or Chasing Mistake Fares

July 19, 2026 56

Finding cheap airfare doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you're paying cash or redeeming points, the right tools can help you compare prices, track deals, and even uncover rare mistake fares that could save you hundreds of dollars.

Harrison Pierce

Reviewed by Toni Southam

Flight Price Tracker Websites: How They Work and How They Save You Money

July 12, 2026 9

Instead of spending hours researching the best flight deals, sign up for a service that does it for you. There are many options to choose from and most of them are free. This post gives you all the details you need to know so that you never miss a great flight deal.

Jenna Hansen

Reviewed by JT Genter

Delta’s Unbundled Travel Experiences Extend to Premium Cabins — Here’s What This Means for You

July 8, 2026 0

Delta's unbundled fare structure (which it's calling "Travel Experiences") now extends to premium cabins. With 15 fare options to choose from, it can be overwhelming. Here's everything to know about the fare structure and how to know which one is best for your next trip.

Harrison Pierce

Reviewed by Tyler Glatt

How Far in Advance Can You Book Hotel Reservations at Each Major Hotel Brand?

July 8, 2026 58

How far out you can book a hotel? And does making reservations at the far side of the booking window provides any tangible benefit? Each hotel chain handles reservations differently, with the booking windows of major hotel chains ranging from 11 months through to a massive two years. Here are the various policies.

Kennedy Miller & Anthony Cave

Reviewed by Tyler Glatt

When and How You Can Book Award Flights for Friends and Family

July 7, 2026 54

Points and miles can unlock once-in-a-lifetime experiences. However, if you don't want to travel alone, you might be interested in booking award tickets for friends or family members. Here's what you need to know about each airline's rules on booking award flights for someone else.

Kennedy Miller & Harrison Pierce

Reviewed by JT Genter

How to Book United Airlines Award Flights With MileagePlus Miles

July 4, 2026 1

The United Airlines MileagePlus program is one of the easiest frequent flyer programs to use. Learn how United award pricing works, how to search for and book award flights step by step, and the main ways to earn MileagePlus miles for your next redemption.

Jenna Hansen

Reviewed by Toni Southam

How To Search and Book Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles Awards

June 30, 2026 5

If you've never done it, booking a Turkish Airlines award with Miles & Smiles miles can be a bit of a challenge. From start to finish — logging in to completing your reservation — here's a step-by-step guide to booking an award flight through Turkish Airlines.

Tyler Glatt & Shawn Gallagher

Reviewed by JT Genter

How To Book the Etihad Apartment With Miles in 2026

July 1, 2026 1

Booking Etihad's iconic A380 Apartment with miles has gotten harder in 2026 — but it's far from impossible. Whether you want the cheapest redemption or the most reliable shot at specific dates, here's how the four best frequent flyer programs stack up, what each one costs in miles and taxes, and our tips for finding the elusive Apartment award space.

Max Prosperi

Reviewed by Toni Southam

Airline 24-Hour Cancellation Policies: When You Can Cancel for a Full Refund

June 25, 2026 36

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires U.S. airlines to allow travelers the opportunity to hold, change, or cancel an airline ticket during the 24-hour period immediately following the booking of a flight without penalty.

Anthony Cave & Kristina Caetano

Reviewed by Allie Johnson

When and How To Upgrade Paid Airline Tickets With Points and Miles

June 20, 2026 91

One of the best ways to redeem points and miles is for international business-class award tickets. Your points go the furthest this way, and the numbers prove it. Unfortunately, awards in some of the most premium cabins come at...well, a premium. But you also can access business and first class by paying a cash fare and upgrading with miles. And sometimes, it can make a lot of sense. Here's a look at when it does.

Tyler Glatt & Harrison Pierce

Reviewed by JT Genter

American Airlines Basic Economy Explained: Restrictions, Fees, and What to Expect

June 19, 2026 43

American Airlines Basic Economy tickets have some restrictions. From no seat selection to limited change flexibility. This guide goes over everything you need to know about these fares. That way, you can decide whether the cost savings are worth it, plus tell you how to circumvent some of the restrictions.

Tyler Glatt & Sam Helmy

Reviewed by Allie Johnson

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Class Lounge: What Makes It Special and How to Access It for Less

June 14, 2026 0

Few airport lounges get the attention that Qatar Airways' Al Safwa First Class Lounge does. For starters, it's absolutely massive and gives off museum vibes. But there also aren't too many lounges in the world with a thermal jacuzzi, a full-service restaurant, a duty-free shop, and, well, so much more. Here's how to get in.

Tyler Glatt

Hotel Points Are Not Created Equally: Which Currency Is the Most Valuable to Redeem?

June 13, 2026 4

Not all hotel points are created equal. The value you can get from a World of Hyatt point, for instance, is drastically different from what you’ll get from a Radisson Rewards point. Whether you’re unfamiliar with how different programs stack up or just want a quick reference to see if a redemption you’re considering is above or below average, here’s what hotel points are worth based on thousands of AwardWallet user redemptions.

Tyler Glatt

The Best Ways To Get to South Africa on Points and Miles

June 6, 2026 32

Few places on earth evoke a sense of adventure and exploration like South Africa. Unfortunately, it's pretty expensive to get there — especially in business class. But if you play your cards right, you can get there on points and miles. Here's a look at five frequent flyer programs that offer great value for flights to South Africa.

Tyler Glatt & Andrew Kunesh

Reviewed by Toni Southam

JetBlue’s Hidden Award Gems: Qatar Qsuite, Condor Business Class, and More

June 6, 2026 0

JetBlue partners with international carriers including Qatar Airways, Icelandair, Etihad, and Condor Airlines— letting you redeem TrueBlue points for award flights on these airlines. We’ve compiled award charts for all partners to help you understand how many TrueBlue points you’ll need to book one of these awards.

Cameron Laufer

Reviewed by Tyler Glatt

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Category: Booking Travel