If you decide to cash in frequent-flier miles or points for a last-minute trip, you could pay for the privilege. Some airlines are charging fees for tickets booked less than 21 days in advance, so you'll want to plan ahead when possible.
American recently announced changes to the fees it charges for AAdvantage award tickets booked within 20 days of departure. Beginning Aug. 25, the airline will charge $75 for award tickets booked less than 21 days in advance. The airline currently charges a $50 fee for tickets booked seven to 20 days in advance and $100 for tickets booked less than seven days in advance. Under the new rules, last-minute travelers will save $25, but those booking one to three weeks out will pay $25 more. The fees are waived for Gold, Platinum and Executive Platinum AAdvantage members.
United dropped fees for last-minute frequent-flier bookings a couple of years ago, but the airline recently reinstated them. As of June 15, United Mileage Plus members pay fees for tickets booked less than 21 days in advance. The fees are $75 for general members, $50 for Premier members and $25 for Premier Executive members. United's merger partner, Continental, has a similar fee structure, with fees of $75 for general members, $50 for Silver members, $25 for Gold members and no charge for Platinum OnePass members.
US Airways does not charge a last-minute fee, but it charges an "award processing fee" to use Dividend Miles for frequent-flier tickets. The fees are $25 for travel within the continental U.S. and to Alaska or Canada, $35 to the Caribbean or Central America and $50 to Hawaii, Europe, South America or the Middle East.
Delta got rid of its last-minute fees last year, and at press time, they had not reinstated them.
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Since these fees can change, check your airline's rules before you cash in miles or points.
Also keep in mind that you should book your award tickets online. Most airlines charge up to $30 to book an award ticket through a reservation agent.
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Spur-of-the-moment travelers won't have to pay fees to take advantage of last-minute discounted point stays at properties of the Intercontinental Hotels Group. Intercontinental is charging fewer points for stays on the first full weekend of each month. Priority Club Rewards members can redeem half the number of points usually needed at selected properties for stays on the first Friday, Saturday or Sunday of each month.
The last-minute stays can be booked the Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday before the first weekend of the month. Visit www.priorityclub.com/hotels/us/en/global/offers/lastminute .
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
