Finding award flights used to mean spending hours clicking through airline websites, only to discover the "saver award" you wanted vanished while you were searching. Airlines don't make this easy on purpose—the harder it is to find award space, the more likely you'll just book with cash instead.
But here's the good news: the right tools can level the playing field. Instead of listing every possible app and service (decision paralysis, anyone?), we've narrowed it down to the 6 tools that actually matter. Whether you're booking your first award trip or hunting business class to Tokyo, this guide will show you which tools to start with and when to level up.
Quick Start: Which Tools Do You Need?
New to points? Start here:
- Roame Travel (find award flights easily)
- Point.Me (learn which points to transfer)
Booking 3+ award trips per year? Add these:
- CardPointers (maximize every purchase)
- Seats.aero (flexible award searches)
Serious about business/first class? Consider:
- Daily Drop (stay informed on deals)
- Priority Pass (airport lounge access)
Now let's break down exactly what each tool does and why it's worth your time.
1. Roame Travel: Your Award Flight Search Engine
What it does: Searches for available award seats across dozens of airlines and shows you exactly how many points you need.
Why it's worth using:
Airlines deliberately make finding award space difficult. United's website won't show you what's available on Lufthansa. American's site hides partner availability unless you know exactly what you're looking for. Roame solves this by searching everywhere at once.
The real power is in the alerts. Set up a search for "Los Angeles to Tokyo in business class during April" and Roame will email you the moment space opens up. Award availability changes constantly—seats that weren't available yesterday might appear tomorrow. Without alerts, you'd have to check manually every single day.
What it costs:
Free version gives you basic searches with a 3-day window. Friends of Roame subscription is $79/year (currently $67 with code THEPOINTS) and expands your search window to 7 days for live results and a full year for cached results. You also get more alert slots.
Pros:
- Searches multiple airlines simultaneously
- Alert system catches availability as it opens
- Shows exactly which points/miles programs can book each flight
- Clean interface that's easy to learn
Cons:
- Cached results may not be current (always verify before transferring points)
- Free version has limited search window
- Doesn't show every single budget airline
Worth the paid version if: You book 2+ international award trips per year. The time saved and alerts alone justify the cost.
When to use this vs. alternatives: Start with Roame if you have specific dates and destinations in mind. The alert feature makes it perfect for popular routes where availability is tight.
Real example: I wanted business class from New York to Rome in September. Instead of checking five airline websites daily, I set a Roame alert. Three weeks later, I got an email about 60,000 point availability through Virgin Atlantic. Booked it that day using Chase Ultimate Rewards points transferred to Virgin.
2. Point.Me: Learn Which Points to Transfer
What it does: Shows you which loyalty programs have award availability AND tells you exactly how to transfer points from your credit card rewards to book them.
Why it's worth using:
Let's say you have 200,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points. You could book through the Chase portal at 1.25-1.5 cents per point, or you could transfer to airline partners and potentially get double that value. But which partner? That's where Point.Me comes in.
Point.Me doesn't just show availability—it explains your transfer options. "Transfer 55,000 points from Amex to Air Canada Aeroplan to book this Lufthansa first class flight" is way more helpful than just seeing that the flight exists. It's teaching you the game while helping you play it.
This is especially valuable if you're working with points from multiple programs. The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns transferable points, as does the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and various Amex cards. Point.Me helps you understand which program gives you the best value for each specific flight.
What it costs:
Basic searches are free. Premium subscription is $12.99/month or $119/year.
Pros:
- Explains transfer options in plain English
- Great for learning about programs you've never considered
- Shows transfer bonuses when available
- Good for discovering sweet spots in less-known programs
Cons:
- Results can sometimes miss availability other tools find
- Premium pricing adds up if you only book 1-2 trips per year
- Free version is quite limited
Worth the paid version if: You're actively trying to learn the transfer game and book at least one international trip every few months.
When to use this vs. alternatives: Use Point.Me when you're flexible on dates and want to explore all your options. It's educational—you'll learn about programs and routes you didn't know existed.
Real example: I had Amex points but had never used Flying Blue (Air France/KLM's program). Point.Me showed me I could book a business class seat from San Francisco to Paris for just 55,000 points transferred from Amex—half what it would cost through Delta. That search taught me about a transfer partner I now use regularly.
3. CardPointers: Never Use the Wrong Card Again
What it does: Tracks all your credit cards and tells you which one to use for every purchase to maximize points, benefits, and limited-time offers.
Why it's worth using:
You probably have 3-7 credit cards in your wallet right now. The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 3x on dining. The Amex Gold earns 4x on restaurants. But wait—is that coffee shop coded as dining or as a grocery store? And didn't you add that Amex Offer for 10% back at Whole Foods?
CardPointers eliminates the mental math. Pull out your phone at checkout, open the app, and it tells you: "Use Amex Gold for 4x points PLUS you have an Amex Offer for $5 back." Done.
The auto-add feature for Amex Offers and Chase Offers is worth the subscription alone. These offers appear and disappear constantly, and most people miss hundreds of dollars in value simply because they don't activate offers quickly enough.
If you're serious about maximizing Chase Ultimate Rewards or building your points balance faster, CardPointers ensures you're always using the optimal card for each purchase.
What it costs:
Free version supports one of each card type. CardPointers+ is $7.99/month or $65/year (currently $45.50/year with code THEPOINTS).
Pros:
- Automatically adds Amex Offers, Chase Offers, and Citi Merchant Offers to your cards
- Shows exactly which card to use at checkout
- Tracks annual fees and renewal dates
- Push notifications for expiring credits
Cons:
- Free version is too limited for most serious players
- Occasionally miscategorizes merchants
- Requires manual input of some card benefits
Worth the paid version if: You have more than one of any card type (multiple Amex cards, multiple Chase cards, etc.) or you want the auto-add offers feature.
When to use this vs. alternatives: Use CardPointers every single time you make a purchase. It should be as automatic as checking your phone before buying anything.
Real example: I was about to use my Chase Sapphire Reserve for a $200 grocery run. CardPointers reminded me I had an Amex Offer on my Blue Cash Preferred for 10% back at that grocery store, plus the BCP already earns 6% back. I saved $20 by using the right card—and that happens multiple times per month.
4. Seats.aero: When You're Flexible on Destinations
What it does: Lets you search broadly across regions and programs to find where award availability actually exists.
Why it's worth using:
Sometimes the best award trips happen when you're flexible. Instead of fixating on "Paris in June," what if you could see all premium cabin availability from your city to Europe during spring? That's Seats.aero's strength.
The filtering is powerful. You can exclude programs you don't have points in, hide economy results, and search entire regions like "Asia" or "Europe" at once. This is perfect for when you know you want to travel but you're deciding where based on what's bookable.
This tool pairs especially well with transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards to various airline partners. When you can see all the options across multiple programs at once, you make smarter transfer decisions.
What it costs:
Free version with limited searches. Standard plan is $14.95/month or $149/year. Pro plan is $29.95/month or $299/year with more searches and advanced features.
Pros:
- Regional search is incredibly useful
- Can filter out programs you don't have access to
- Shows recently found availability (cached data)
- Great for discovering routes you hadn't considered
Cons:
- Most results are cached, not real-time (verify before booking)
- Can be overwhelming with too many options
- Pricing might be steep for casual users
Worth the paid version if: You're booking 3+ international trips per year and you value flexibility over specific destinations.
When to use this vs. alternatives: Use Seats.aero for the "I want to go somewhere awesome this fall" searches. Use Roame when you have specific dates and destinations.
Real example: I had a week off in November and 100,000 Chase points to use. Seats.aero's search for "US West Coast to East Asia" showed business class availability to Hong Kong—somewhere I'd never thought about visiting but turned out to be an amazing trip. Being flexible on destination got me a seat that specific searches would have missed.
5. Daily Drop: Stay in the Loop Without the Overwhelm
What it does: Delivers curated points and miles news, deals, and tips via email newsletter every weekday morning.
Why it's worth using:
Award charts change. Devaluations happen. Transfer bonuses appear and disappear. Limited-time offers launch. If you tried to track this all yourself, you'd spend hours per week reading blogs and forums.
Daily Drop does the work for you. It's a 5-minute read that keeps you informed about what actually matters. When there's a good transfer bonus or a mistake fare, you'll know about it in time to act—not three days later when it's gone.
The tone is conversational and fun (similar to how we write here), not boring industry jargon. You'll actually look forward to opening it, which means you'll stay informed without it feeling like homework.
What it costs:
Completely free. Makes money through partnerships.
Pros:
- Free and daily
- Curates only the important stuff
- Explains complex topics simply
- Includes both aspirational and practical tips
Cons:
- Email fatigue is real (though this one is short)
- Some deals are time-sensitive and may be gone when you see them
- Contains affiliate links (though they're transparent about it)
Worth subscribing if: You want to stay informed without spending hours reading travel blogs.
When to use this vs. alternatives: Daily Drop is supplemental. Subscribe to it and use it alongside the other tools to stay educated and catch time-sensitive opportunities.
Real example: Daily Drop alerted me to a 30% transfer bonus from Amex to Virgin Atlantic. I had been sitting on 80,000 Amex points and this bonus meant I could transfer just 62,000 points to get what I needed for a business class flight to London. Saved me 18,000 points simply because I read that morning's email.
6. Priority Pass: Make Airports Actually Enjoyable
What it does: Gives you access to 1,500+ airport lounges worldwide, letting you escape crowded terminals and enjoy free food, drinks, and comfortable seating.
Why it's worth using:
Here's the thing about collecting points: you're going to spend a lot of time in airports. Why sit at the gate eating $18 airport sandwiches when you could be in a lounge with free food, better WiFi, and quiet spaces to work or relax?
Many premium travel credit cards include Priority Pass membership as a benefit, but not everyone knows to activate it. The Chase Sapphire Reserve includes Priority Pass Select with unlimited visits. The Capital One Venture X also includes unlimited Priority Pass lounge access plus Capital One Lounge access. Even some mid-tier cards offer limited visits.
If you're wondering whether the Chase Sapphire Reserve is worth it, Priority Pass access is one of the benefits that tips the scale. The card's annual fee is $550, but Priority Pass access alone can save you $100+ per international trip.
What it costs:
Varies by membership tier. Standard is $99/year with $35 per visit. Standard Plus is $329/year with 10 free visits. Prestige is $469/year with unlimited visits.
However: Many travel cards include complimentary membership, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and several Amex Platinum cards. Check your card benefits before paying separately.
Pros:
- Access to lounges worldwide (not just one airline alliance)
- Often includes one free guest
- Some locations offer restaurant credits instead of lounge access
- Makes long layovers vastly more pleasant
Cons:
- Not all lounges are created equal (some are crowded or basic)
- Some popular lounges restrict Priority Pass access during busy times
- Per-visit fees add up quickly on lower tiers
Worth getting if: You travel internationally at least 3-4 times per year, or you don't have a credit card that includes complimentary membership.
When to use this vs. alternatives: Check if you already have Priority Pass through a credit card first. Many people have access and don't realize it. Review your Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits or Capital One Venture X perks to see if you're already covered.
Real example: During a 6-hour layover in London Heathrow, Priority Pass got me into the No. 1 Lounge. Free full meal, unlimited drinks, showers, and fast WiFi. Without it, I would have spent $80-100 on food and been miserable sitting at the gate. That's the membership paying for itself in a single trip.
Learn more about Priority Pass
How These Tools Work Together: A Real Booking Example
Let me show you how these tools complement each other in an actual booking scenario:
Goal: Book a business class trip from Los Angeles to Barcelona next spring using points.
Step 1 - Check what's available (Roame Travel)Set up alerts in Roame for LA to Barcelona in March-May. Get notified when Iberia business class space opens at 34,000 Avios one-way.
Step 2 - Understand transfer options (Point.Me)Point.Me confirms Avios can be transferred from Chase (1:1) or Amex (1:1), and there's currently a 30% transfer bonus from Amex making it effectively 26,000 points. Learn more about how to transfer Chase points to United and other partners.
Step 3 - Earn more points fast (CardPointers)CardPointers reminds you to use your Amex Gold card (4x points) at restaurants for the next few weeks, plus you have an activated Chase Offer for 10% back at a hotel you're about to book. This helps you rack up Chase Ultimate Rewards points faster.
Step 4 - Explore alternatives (Seats.aero)Before committing, quick Seats.aero search shows no better business class options in that timeframe.
Step 5 - Book at the right time (Daily Drop)That morning's Daily Drop newsletter mentioned Iberia occasionally releases more saver space 7-10 days before departure—good to know for timing.
Step 6 - Enjoy the journey (Priority Pass)Your 4-hour LAX layover? Spent in the Star Alliance lounge thanks to Priority Pass (included with your Chase Sapphire Reserve), not at gate 45B.
Total points used: 26,000 Amex points transferred to Avios (thanks to the bonus). Cash value of that business class seat if you'd paid: $4,200. Value per point: 16 cents. This is why you use tools.
Tools We're Skipping (And Why)
ExpertFlyer: Powerful but has a steep learning curve. The tools above are more user-friendly for most people.
AwardWallet: Good for tracking balances, but most people can just log into their accounts. Only worth it if you're juggling 15+ programs.
Jucy: Newer player, still building out features. We'll revisit when they've matured.
Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights): Focuses on cash fares, not award space. Great tool, but different use case.
Your Action Plan: Start Here
If you're new to maximizing points, don't try to implement everything at once. Here's your step-by-step plan:
This week:
- Sign up for Daily Drop (free) to start learning
- Create a Roame account and do a few practice searches
- Check if any of your credit cards include Priority Pass (review your Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits or Capital One Venture X perks)
This month:4. Set up 2-3 Roame alerts for trips you're considering5. Try Point.Me for one flight search to understand transfer options6. If you have 3+ credit cards, trial CardPointers+ for a month7. Read our guide on transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards to airline partners
This quarter:8. Book your first award flight using the tools9. Track how much value you're getting10. Add Seats.aero if you're booking multiple trips11. Learn how to maximize Chase Ultimate Rewards for travel
Remember: The goal isn't to use every tool perfectly. The goal is to find award space you would have missed and maximize points you would have wasted. If these tools help you book one business class flight that would have cost $4,000 in cash, they've paid for themselves dozens of times over.
The points and miles game used to require insider knowledge and hours of research. These tools level the playing field. Airlines still don't want you finding award space easily—but now you have the same tools the experts use.
Start with Roame and Point.Me this week. Everything else can wait until you've booked your first win.
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