Airline Award Holds
Airline award space is constantly changing. When you find the perfect award that you would like to book, it is critical that you act fast to book the award. It's a story we can all relate to, we wait to book an award thinking surely it will be there tomorrow when we have more time, and it is gone. Especially coveted first and business class awards where there are few seats, and many people interested in booking them. Because of the changing nature of award flight availability, award holds can be a useful tool to secure awards. In this guide, we will cover how to use airline award ticket holds to your advantage, and which airlines offer them.
What is an Award Hold?
An award hold is a temporary courtesy hold on an award ticket for a short period of time. This allows you time to finalize your booking, while securing the award space so that no one else can book it in the mean time. This also gives you time to transfer in rewards to programs where you do not currently have sufficient points to finalize your booking. While many transfers are instant, this protects you in the case of a transfer taking longer than expected. Not every airline offers award holds, and they do not all offer them for the same amount of time. Knowing which airlines offer an award hold can help you avoid frustration of losing an award. Further, in some rare instances ‘phantom award space' that cannot actually be booked appears. By putting an award on hold you avoid this risk.
RELATED: What Is Phantom Award Space and How to Troubleshoot It
Summary of Airline Award Hold Policies
The following chart summarizes which airlines offer award holds, and for how long. Some of these airlines may charge a phone booking fee, which you may be able to have waived by asking, your mileage may vary though.
| Loyalty Program | Award Hold Time |
| Air France/KLM Flying Blue | Up to three days, via phone booking |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | Up to five days, directly on AA.com |
| ANA (All Nippon Airways) | Up to two days, via phone booking |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | Up to three days, via phone booking |
| EVA Air Infinity MileageLands | Up to one day, via phone booking |
| Emirates Skywards | Up to one day, via phone booking |
| Lufthansa Miles & More | Up to five days, via phone booking |
| Singapore KrisFlyer | At agent's discretion, via phone booking (hang up, call again may be required) |
| Swiss Airlines | Up to five days, via phone booking |
| Turkish Miles&Smiles | Up to two days, via phone booking |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | Up to two days, via phone booking |
How To Put An Award on Hold
In all cases except for American Airlines, award holds must be done over the phone. To do this, simply call the airline to book your flight and ask the representative to put your award flight on an award hold. You can feed the agent the flight details of which you have found availability for, and they will help you from there.
Where Persistence May be Required
Sometimes airline representatives are not aware of their own award hold policies. Or perhaps they simply do not know how to put an award on hold. In those frustrating circumstances, the rep may tell you that they cannot put an award on hold. In that case, try hanging up and calling again (referred to as HUCA). In the case of Singapore Airlines, sometimes it can take several calls to find a rep that is willing and able to help you.
Airline Award Holds: ToP Thoughts
Finding award space can seem daunting. Take out some of the guesswork of finalizing your booking by putting an award on hold when possible. Each airline has it's own policy on award holds. Reference the chart above to see if an award hold can help you. Award space can be snatched up in a matter of moments. Especially for premium cabins during peak travel dates. When you find an award that you want, act quickly. Using award holds to your advantage can help you execute these bookings quick.
Have you had success putting an award on hold with an airline we haven't listed here? Let us know over in the ToP Facebook Group!
