Whether you pay for your tickets with cash, points or miles, booking a flight at the right time can help you get the lowest prices and the best availability. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to when to book a flight.
However, you can find If you book the reward space correctly, please reward with certain programs. And, while prices may drop, sometimes you can find decent paid rates shortly after the booking window opens.
This article provides data we collect on when to book revenue and reward flights through popular airline programs. It also includes additional details about booking flights in advance.
How far can you book your airline ticket in advance?
Some U.S.-based airlines have opened booking windows a few days before departure for revenue flights. When the booking window opens, you usually don’t see the lowest fares for these airlines. However, other airlines regularly extend the travel dates they accept bookings. Shortly after the booking window opens, you can usually snap up the lowest fares for these airlines by booking a trip.
Related: Best Airline Credit Cards
Below, you will find when the revenue booking window will be opened for all major U.S. airlines. This window lets you know how far you can book your flight. However, remember that seasonal routes may not be loaded when the booking window opens.
| airline | The Income Booking window opens |
|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines | 331 days before departure |
| The faithful air | Different, but usually six to nine months in advance |
| American Airlines | 331 days before departure |
| Delta gas line | 331 days before departure |
| Border Airlines | Different, but usually five to nine months in advance |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 330 days before departure |
| JetBlue Airlines | 331 days before departure |
| Southwest Airlines | Different, but usually eight to ten months in advance |
| Spirit Airlines | Different, but usually about six months in advance |
| Sun Country Airlines | Different, but usually nine months in advance |
| United Airlines | 337 days before departure |
Bookings may open midnight in the airline’s corporate time zone, but that’s by no means a tough rule. There is often lag when airlines load their schedules and flights are available for booking.
For airlines that regularly extend the dates you can book flights, you may need to subscribe to the airline’s email newsletter, hoping it will issue an announcement when it expands its flight schedule. We also typically cover Southwest Airlines’ timeline expansion.
Of course, if the airline you are interested in doesn’t have the listed above, you can search the airline’s website to determine how far you can book at the moment.
Related: 6 key tools and tips to find the cheapest flights
When can I book tickets in advance?
Knowing when to open a booking window can be key if you want to snap up tickets, especially if you want to travel in a premium cabin. While there is no guarantee that reward seats will be released when the booking window opens, some may release some seats. If you act quickly after the booking window opens, you will have the greatest chance to grab these seats.
For U.S. carriers, the Reward Booking window opens at the same time as the Income Ticket Booking. We also include some popular international airlines in the chart below. However, due to time zone differences, the numbers in the chart may be added or subtracted every day. Therefore, you may need to start looking for awards a few days in advance.
| airline | The reward window opens | notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 360 days | |
| Avianca Lifemiles | 355 days | May allow booking of reward spaces for remote partners (e.g., Tap air Portugal at 360 days) |
| British Airways Club | 354 days | |
| Etihad’s Guests | 361 days | |
| Singapore Airlines Kleisley | 355 days | |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | 331 days |
Please note that you are usually unable to book a reward flight until the airline you booked (using its miles or points) and the airline you fly in the reward booking on the travel date.
If your favorite airline is not on the table above – or you want to see for yourself how far you can book a reward ticket on a specific airline, check when the airline you are flying with and the airline you book will usually start accepting reward bookings. By doing so, you will determine when to start checking availability.
How far should I book a reward trip in advance?
The best time to book a reward trip is usually the timetable or the last minute. Airlines will usually release the first batch of reward spaces when the flight is open (between 330 and 361 days before your flight) and a batch of reward spaces shortly before the flight.
However, many airlines also regularly publish reward availability, so it is worth setting up reward alerts using tools like Expert Flyer (owned by TPG’s parent company, Red Ventures) or SEATS.Aero.
Related: These apps and websites make rewards easier to find
Can you book flights more than one year in advance?
On most airlines, you cannot book flights more than one year in advance. See the figure above for exact booking window data for each airline, but most are between six and 11 months before your departure date.
If I pay cash, how far should I book my flight in advance?
Normally, domestic flights should be booked one to four months in advance and international flights should be booked at least six months in advance. However, it is best to book a holiday trip as soon as possible.
But these are just guides. It is best to track flight prices to determine the good price of your route. If you have a Capital One card, you may need to book through Capital One Travel, which advises whether it is now the right time to make reservations and price matching and price drops.
Related: Is it expensive to book flights through the credit card travel portal?
Can I find last minute flight deals?
Of course, you can find many last minute deals about cash and reward bookings. Check out our guide to the best points and miles for last minute flights.
Bottom line
It is important to know when the booking window will open for airlines as more seats are booked (and quality carbines) as rewards for these seats are limited). If you have one of these reservations coming soon, your best bet is to set a day or two calendar reminder before the Expected Booking window opens so you can start checking availability. Continue to check availability until the product is found and the cost is satisfactory. And remember to book your flight with one of the top travel cards.
Related readings:
- My 4 Top Travel Credit Cards – And How They Improve My Travel
- Airline Credit Cards and Travel Credit Cards: Which is the best?
- Best Credit Cards for Economy Flyer
- 5 Best Airline Credit Cards for No Age Range
Editorial Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are the individual of the author and not the opinions of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
