Award travel can be a headache without the right tools to search for award availability across multiple airlines and loyalty programs. AwardFares and Points Path are both popular options for frequent flyers. But how do they stack up against each other?

In this article, we’ll compare AwardFares vs. Points Path, diving deep into key features, pricing, and benefits to show which tool can truly elevate your award travel game.

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What is Points Path?

Points Path is a Chrome plug-in that integrates with Google Flights to display point prices alongside cash prices. While it offers a simple experience by leveraging Google’s interface, it comes with limitations:

  • Restricted airline coverage (only eight loyalty programs)
  • Multi-city searches not supported
  • Limited features beyond showing points and alerts

Points Path focuses primarily on simplicity rather than advanced features. It’s designed for users who occasionally search for award flights and are comfortable with Google Flights’ search engine.

AwardFares vs Points Path: Key Differences

Let’s explore how AwardFares provides a more robust solution for award travelers compared to Points Path.

1. Supported Airlines & Loyalty Programs

  • Points Path: Limited to eight airlines, with key programs like Virgin Atlantic and Emirates restricted to paid users.
  • AwardFares: Supports over 15+ frequent flyer programs, all accessible for free during a 24-hour trial.

This broader coverage allows AwardFares users to find award seats on more routes and airlines, giving them greater flexibility.

2. Pricing Tiers

Points Path Pricing:

  • Standard (Free): Limited access to airlines and features.
  • Pro (USD 7.99/month): Adds alerts (up to 30 active alerts).
Points Path Pricing.

AwardFares Pricing:

  • Basic (Free): Features like an award calendar, journey planner, and hourly seat availability.
  • Gold (USD 9.99/month): Adds advanced features like seat maps, custom searches, and up to five alerts.
  • Diamond (USD 19.99/month): Unlimited searches, alerts, advanced filters, and real-time availability updates.
AwardFares Pricing.

3. Features

AwardFares delivers a full suite of award travel tools:

Feature AwardFares Points Path
Search Capabilities Integrated award search engine Relies on Google Flights
Seat Maps Yes No
Multi-City Searches Yes No
Alerts Unlimited (Diamond tier) Limited (up to 30 in Pro tier)
Mobile App Support Fully optimized Not available

Points Path’s reliance on Google Flights limits its functionality, particularly for users who want multi-city travel planning or seat maps.

4. Blog, Guides, and Resources

Both platforms provide support content, but AwardFares excels with regularly updated blogs and guides. AwardFares publishes:

  • Weekly travel news and tips
  • Step-by-step guides for using features
  • Industry updates to keep users informed

Points Path, in contrast, offers a basic FAQ and sporadic blog updates.

AwardFares Blog with resources for frequent flyers.

In a Nutshell: AwardFares vs Points Path

Here’s a quick comparison of the two platforms:

Feature AwardFares Points Path
Functionality Full award search engine with advanced tools Points displayed within Google Flights
Ease of Use Intuitive interface with advanced options Simple, Google-integrated
Supported Programs 15+ frequent flyer programs Only 8 programs
Alerts Unlimited (Diamond tier) Limited to 30 (Pro tier)
Mobile Experience Fully optimized for mobile No mobile support
Pricing Free, Gold ($9.99), Diamond ($19.99) Free or $7.99 Pro tier

Try AwardFares Today

Imagine flying to your dream destination in business class, paying the same points you’d usually spend on economy. AwardFares helps frequent flyers maximize their points, regularly booking $5,000+ flights for a fraction of the cost.

With AwardFares, you can:

  • Search across multiple airlines in seconds
  • Set alerts to get notified about new award availability
  • View seat maps, schedules, and more

Sign up here to try AwardFares for free with a 24-hour trial.

For access to even more powerful tools, check out our Gold and Diamond membership options.