One of the most exciting parts of being in the points and miles game is booking that dream flight using your hard-earned rewards. Whether it is flying Business Class to Europe or jetting off to a tropical island, snagging those award seats can feel like unlocking a travel secret that few others know about. But here is the catch: award space is limited, and knowing exactly when airlines release those valuable seats is key to making your dream trip a reality.

Airlines do not make it easy — their schedules vary, release times are not always predictable, and sometimes the best deals pop up when you least expect them. By understanding when airlines release award space and busting some common myths, you will be in a much better position to secure the flights you want, when you want them.

When Do Airlines Open Their Award Calendars

Credit. Virgin Atlantic. Virgin Atlantic Reward Award Availability Calendar.

Airlines typically release their flight schedules about 330 days in advance, and this is when their award calendars open as well. This means that when an airline adds a flight to its schedule, it may also release award seats at that time. However, not all airlines follow the same exact timeline, and availability does not always appear the moment the schedule opens.

Major Airline Award Release Timelines

Here is a full list of when airlines release award space. Knowing these dates is crucial if you want to secure premium cabin seats or avoid high cash prices for peak travel times. Keep in mind that these are the general timelines for when award space is released, though availability can still vary by route, demand, and cabin class:

• Aegean Airlines: 362 days
• Aer Lingus: 330 days
• Aeromexico: 330 days
• Air Canada: 355 days
• Air France – KLM: 359 days
• Air New Zealand: 350 days
• Alaska Airlines: 330 days
• All Nippon Airways: 355 days
• American Airlines: 331 days
• Asiana Airlines: 361 days
• Avianca: 360 days
• British Airways: 355 days
• Cathay Pacific: 360 days
• Delta Air Lines: 331 days
• El Al: 362 days
• Emirates: 328 days
• Etihad: 330 days
• EVA Air: 360 days
• Finnair: 331 days
• Hawaiian Airlines: 330 days
• Iberia: 361 days
• Japan Airlines: 360 days
• JetBlue: 331 days
• Korean Air: 361 days
• LATAM: 330 days
• Lufthansa / Swiss / Austrian: 360 days
• Malaysia Airlines: 360 days
• Qantas: 353 days
• Qatar Airways: 361 days
• Royal Jordanian: 362 days
• Singapore Airlines: 355 days
• Southwest Airlines: Releases in batches every 4-10 weeks, typically covering up to 180 days
• TAP Air Portugal: 361 days
• Thai Airways: 340 days
• Turkish Airlines: 355 days
• United Airlines: 337 days
• Virgin Atlantic: 331 days

It is important to note that while these timelines give you an idea of when award space opens, securing seats often depends on factors like demand and route popularity. If you want to book a partner flight, the number of days might be limited by the more restrictive airline. For instance, even though Flying Blue (Air France – KLM) lets you book 359 days in advance, booking a Delta flight with Flying Blue miles would still be restricted to the 331-day Delta window.

By knowing these release windows, you can set alerts or start searching as soon as seats become available, maximizing your chances of booking award flights for the best value.

Award Calendar Release Myths

Credit. Travel + Leisure. Award Flight Booking Myths.

There is a lot of confusion about how award seats are released, leading to some common misconceptions. Time to debunk a few of the most persistent myths:

All Airlines Release Award Space When The Schedule Opens

While many airlines do release some award seats when their flight schedules open, this is not guaranteed. Some airlines release award availability in waves, holding back seats to see how ticket sales perform before offering more award space later. Premium cabin seats, especially on popular routes, might not be available at all when the schedule opens. For airlines that follow a dynamic pricing model, like Delta, award availability can fluctuate based on demand, and sometimes you will see better options closer to departure.

Award Seats Are Available At 12:01 A.M.

It is a common belief that award seats are made available the minute the calendar opens — often thought to be right at 12:01 a.m. local time. While this may happen occasionally, award space typically is not released at a precise moment. Airlines may release award seats at any time during the day or even over the course of a few days as their systems update. There is no need to stay up all night waiting for an exact release time — checking regularly or setting alerts is more important.

Related: Get Award Deals Delivered Straight To Your Inbox With A Premium Passport Subscription

Airline Partners Get Equal Access To Award Space

Booking through airline partners (i.e. using American Airlines AAdvantage miles to book a British Airways flight) is a great way to maximize points. However, partner airlines do not always get the same access to award seats as the airlines own loyalty program members. For example, Singapore Airlines often reserves its premium cabin award space for its KrisFlyer members before releasing it to partners. Likewise, Lufthansa frequently holds back First Class award space for its own loyalty members and releases it to partners much closer to departure. If you are trying to book a flight on a partner airline, you might see fewer available seats compared to what the airline offers to its own members.

When Is The Best Time To Book An Award Flight

Credit. New York Post. The Best Time To Book An Award Flight.

So, when should you book an award flight? The timing can vary depending on your destination, cabin class, and flexibility. Here are a few key periods to keep in mind:

When The Award Calendar Opens (11-12 Months Out)

If you are traveling during peak times — like the holidays, summer vacations, or major events — booking when the schedule first opens can give you an edge. Airlines often release some of their most valuable premium cabin seats at this point, especially on popular routes. British Airways, for example, is known for releasing a set number of Business Class and  First Class seats when the calendar opens.

This is also the best time to book for hard-to-get routes like non-stop flights to Europe in Business Class during the summer, or flights to Asia during their high season. If you have flexibility with dates and routes, try searching for award space as soon as the schedule opens for a given airline to maximize your chances.

Half A Year Before A Trip (6-7 Months Out)

This mid-range period, about 6-7 months before your departure date, is another sweet spot for booking award flights. Airlines often adjust their seating inventory around this time as they get a clearer picture of how full their flights will be. If they see that certain flights are not selling as expected, they may release more award seats. At this stage, airlines are still balancing ticket sales and award availability, so you might find a good selection of both Economy Class and premium cabin seats, especially on less popular routes or during shoulder seasons.

Last Minute (1 Month Out)

Last-minute bookings can be a goldmine for flexible travelers. If a flight is not filling up as expected, airlines may release unsold seats for award redemptions within a week or two of departure. This is particularly true for premium cabins, where airlines would rather fill the seat with an award ticket than let it fly empty. If you do not mind traveling on short notice and have flexible dates, last-minute award searches can score you incredible value — just be prepared to act quickly if you find a great deal.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to finding award availability, timing and persistence are key. While airlines generally release their award seats 330-360 days in advance, understanding the nuances of award space releases can significantly improve your chances of booking the flight you want using points and miles. Whether you are planning well in advance, booking in that 6-7 month sweet spot, or hunting for last-minute deals, staying flexible and knowing when and how to search will help you get the most out of your loyalty programs. Now that you know when airlines release award space and how to approach different booking windows, you are ready to dive into your next award flight search with confidence.

Happy hunting, and may your next award flight take you somewhere incredible!