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I’ll never forget the first time I pieced together a “positioning flight.” We’d found an amazing award deal to Europe, but it left from Dallas, nowhere near our home airport. Instead of giving up, I booked a quick hop using points, and suddenly our dream trip became possible for a fraction of the cost.
If you’ve ever felt boxed in by your local airport’s limited routes, this strategy can open up the world.
If you’re just getting started with points, my Beginner’s Guide is a great place to start.
What Are Positioning Flights?
A positioning flight is simply a strategic flight that gets you from your home airport to a major hub where award flights and better deals are plentiful. By starting your trip at a hub instead of your smaller home airport, you can often unlock more routes and cheaper award redemptions.
For example, if you’re based in a smaller city with few international flights, flying first to a larger hub like JFK or LAX can open up dozens of award options to Europe, Asia, or beyond. This approach stretches your points further by tapping into competitive pricing and bigger award inventories.
How to Choose the Right Hub
The main thing I look at is which big airports I can reach for the least number of points or dollars. It’s not always about the “fancy” hub; it’s the one that gets you closer to your final destination for the lowest cost. Check the biggest airports near you, compare award pricing, and position yourself to whichever one makes the most sense for your route.
Two of the best options for consistently low domestic point rates right now are Southwest and Alaska Airlines. Southwest has its Companion Pass, and Alaska often has solid value on domestic flights. For a deeper dive on Alaska’s program, see my guide: Guide to Alaska Airlines Miles for Family Travel. With other airlines you can still find great deals, but it’s usually about hitting the right sale or transfer bonus.
Major U.S. Airports and Their Airline Hubs
Here’s my go-to list of major U.S. airports and their primary airline hubs to help you plan smarter positioning flights.
| Airport | Major Hub For | Why It’s Valuable |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) | American, Delta | Huge international gateway; strong award availability to Asia & Pacific. |
| San Francisco (SFO) | United | Excellent connections west (Asia/Pacific) plus Europe; deep route network. |
| Seattle–Tacoma (SEA) | Alaska Airlines, Delta | Great domestic value; Alaska often prices awards competitively from SEA. |
| Phoenix (PHX) | American (plus Southwest focus city) | Wide domestic coverage; can be a cheaper positioning hop. |
| Airport | Major Hub For | Why It’s Valuable |
|---|---|---|
| Denver (DEN) | United, Southwest | Major United hub; abundant domestic & international connections. |
| Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) | American | Huge network; strong coverage across U.S., Latin America & beyond. |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | United, American | Top transatlantic & transpacific gateway; plentiful award routes. |
| Airport | Major Hub For | Why It’s Valuable |
|---|---|---|
| John F. Kennedy (JFK) | American, Delta | Key international gateway; excellent Europe access and beyond. |
| Newark (EWR) | United | Strong transatlantic schedules; lots of global connectivity. |
| Boston (BOS) | JetBlue, Delta | Solid Europe access; BOS can surface lower-cost options at times. |
| Philadelphia (PHL) | American | Good mix of domestic & transatlantic routes. |
| Atlanta (ATL) | Delta | Massive network; frequent award seats across many markets. |
| Airport | Major Hub For | Why It’s Valuable |
|---|---|---|
| Miami (MIA) | American | Premier gateway to Latin America & Caribbean; frequent award deals. |
| Charlotte (CLT) | American | Strong domestic & Caribbean connectivity; useful for positioning. |
| Orlando (MCO) | Southwest | Consistent domestic value; access to Caribbean vacation routes. |
Other Notes & Tips
- Always compare which hub you can reach for the least number of points or lowest cash cost. Even if “biggest hub = best,” the extra cost to get there can cancel your savings.
- Southwest & Alaska Airlines often have consistent domestic award deals. If you can use their hubs (or operating bases), they’re among the more reliable options for low point redemptions.
- Watch for airfare sales and points transfer promos. Those can temporarily make a less obvious hub the cheapest overall.
When you’re ready to earn for flexible redemptions, here’s a list of cards I recommend for flexible travel rewards.
Stretch Your Points Even Further With the Southwest Companion Pass
One of my favorite tools for maximizing positioning flights is the Southwest Companion Pass. It lets you bring a companion for free (minus taxes and fees) on any Southwest flight. This makes flights so much more affordable when flying from hubs like Denver, Las Vegas, and Orlando. Having the Southwest Companion Pass has made positioning flights SO much easier and more affordable.
Ready to Plan Your Next Trip?
– Free Beginner’s Guide: Start here
– Shopping portals (double-dip points): Rakuten vs. Capital One
– Book simple travel with Capital One Travel
– “Cards I recommend for flexible travel rewards”: see current options
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