43. Flying Smart: What, Why, and How to Book a Positioning Flight

Points Talk with the Travel Mom Squad

In this episode, we cover positioning flights—what they are, why they're important, and how we use them to our advantage. Positioning flights can be a smart way to maximize travel rewards and ensure we get to our desired destinations efficiently.

At its core, a positioning flight is a short, separate flight that helps travelers reach a major hub airport (often times with better deals). The beauty is, you don’t necessarily need to stick to the same airline.

Alex stresses that timing is crucial when it comes to positioning flights. Since they're usually on different airlines and aren't connected itineraries, missing a flight could spell trouble.

Another perk of positioning flights is the flexibility it affords when using points and miles. In the face of delays or system outages, being able to switch airlines quickly using your rewards points can be a lifesaver.

Alex tackles the topic of traveling with a family and its challenges, especially when it comes to positioning flights. For many, arriving a day early and staying at a hotel near the airport can alleviate the stress of long airport waits, especially with kids.

So, fellow travelers, positioning flights might be an extra step, but they're often worth the effort for the savings and options they unlock. Curious about more insider tips and strategies? Hit play to hear the full conversation and immerse yourself in the world of traveling on points!

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Episode Minute By Minute:

• 01:00 What is a positioning flight?

• 03:50 How positioning flights can effectively be used to get better deals

• 07:58 Alex gives us her best positioning flight tips

• 14:48 How to tackle positioning flights with kids

• 18:15 Pack less luggage and avoid checking a bag to make travel easier

• 22:27 Pam shares about her idea of “reverse positioning"

• 27:41 Best tips on where to position your flights to!

• 30:18 Pam gives a cautionary tale of a positioning flight gone wrong

• 34:58 If you enjoyed this episode, remember to check out our course Award Travel Academy!