Traveling on points and miles is a fantastic way to experience the world, but finding award availability can feel like deciphering ancient scrolls. That’s where award search tools come in. AwardFares is one of the easiest ways to search for your next free flight using points or miles. With a few clicks, you can search and gather helpful information without logging in to your frequent flyer account or dealing with slow award search portals. AwardFares’s modern user interface allows search availability across multiple frequent flyer programs, set up alerts, look at seat maps, and plan journeys in a few minutes.

In a similar way, seats.aero is a web-based search tool specifically designed to help frequent flyers find award availability on various airlines and mileage programs. It excels at searching for award seats on long-haul international flights. While both platforms have their competitive edges, there are specific differences worth mentioning.

In this post we look at some essential differences between AwardFares and seats.aero.

In this post

What is seats.aero?

seats.aero is a web-based search tool specifically designed to help frequent flyers find award availability on various airlines and mileage programs. It’s renowned for its advanced search functionalities, allowing users to fine-tune searches with great detail, including searching +/- days, specifying the number of seats, and filtering by cabin class. Its alert system is versatile, offering regular alerts for specific routes and dates, and cabin alerts for broader searches. Additionally, seats.aero includes tools like the Air Canada eUpgrade Finder. However, it does assume a certain level of expertise from its users and might not cover all routes or mileage programs, notably missing Avios and Cathay Asia Miles​.

seats.aero Home Page

AwardFares vs. seats.aero: Key Differences

1. Realtime Results

No more chasing ghost availabilities! AwardFares pulls live data, giving you the most up-to-date picture of award seats. Seats.aero pre-loads availability, which can be a timesaver, but the data might not always be current.

2. Effortless Navigation

AwardFares’ user-friendly interface makes hunting your dream award flight a breeze, even for beginners. It’s ideal for users who want quick answers without going through unnecessary details. From color-coded charts to clear graphics, everything is thought-through to make the miles game an easy win.

AwardFares Timeline View

3. Granular Alerts (Price-based)

AwardFares alert system is robust and highly customizable. It allows you to set up specific notifications for routes, dates, and even prices, ensuring you take advantage of every opportunity.

AwardFares Alerts

Read our complete Alerts tutorial here.

4. Map It Out with Journey Planner

One of the most impressive features is our Journey Planner. This powerful feature lets you unlock itineraries to your dream destination by planning multiple segments quickly and conveniently. Users can select add or remove legs, find connections within 24 hours, duplicate journeys, and see the itinerary on a map in just a few clicks. Plus, it’s possible to work on multiple journeys simultaneously and share them with friends and family via a unique link!

AwardFares Journey Planner.

Read our complete Journey Planner tutorial here.

5. Mobile Optimization

AwardFares has been meant for mobile from day one. It doesn’t compromise the intuitive searches nor the beautiful user interface when going mobile, and you can even install it on your phone.

6. Broad Region and Metro Area Searches

AwardFares allows users to search for award flights across entire regions, countries, or continents, providing a broader perspective and more options. This feature is particularly useful for travelers with flexible destinations or those looking to explore multiple options within a specific area​.

Read our full tutorial on Metro Area Searches here.

7. Blog, Guides, and Resources

At AwardFares, we spend significant time crafting state-of-the-art guides and updated resources to match what our users seek. The best flight redemptions, per-program sweet spots, tips for building perfect award trips, and featuring deep dives are available on our fantastic blog and monthly newsletter.

AwardFares Blog is full of resources for frequent flyers and travelers who want to make the most out of their points and miles.

In a Nutshell: seats.aero vs. AwardFares

Features AwardFares seats.aero
Interface User-friendly, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Suitable for both beginners and frequent travelers. Minimalistic and quick-loading interface designed for fast, straightforward searches.
Functionality Real-time updates on available award seats across major airlines with features like timeline view, seat maps, and alerts. Simple search tool focused on finding award availability across select airlines and alliances.
Frequent Flyer Programs Extensive coverage across multiple frequent flyer programs, including specific details for premium cabins. Covers popular frequent flyer programs.
Mobile version Fully optimized mobile experience with the option to install as a mobile app. Basic mobile-optimized experience for simple on-the-go searches.
Alerts Offers real-time alerts via Email and Push, configurable based on user preferences. Via Email & SMS.
Award Seat Price Information Shows exact award pricing, including taxes and fees, for selected routes. Shows exact award pricing, including taxes and fees, for selected routes.
Pricing Free, Gold, and Diamond tiers offering premium features at different levels.. Free (60-day window search, no alerts). Offers Pro tier with premium features (365-day search).
Customer Support Responsive customer support with detailed guides and resources for users. Limited support options, Discord channel.

Conclusion

Both AwardFares and seats.aero offer a wide range of tools that help frequent flyers. If budget is a major concern, and you’re comfortable with potentially outdated data, seats.aero presents an entirely free option. However, for those who prioritize simplicity, up-to-the-minute accuracy, and a modern interface, AwardFares stands out. Ultimately, the best tool depends on your individual preferences and travel style.

Try AwardFares Today

You can try AwardFares for free. We regularly roll out new features and improvements, so sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay on top of the latest news, announcements, and pro tips.

With our Gold and Diamond tiers, you can access premium features such as unlimited daily searches, alerts, seat maps, flight schedules, and more!

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