Every January, the same reminder pops up: Spring break isn’t that far away, and the best deals won’t last. And every year, the moment flight searches begin, that urgency seems to be immediately rewarded with sticker shock—award space is gone, prices have jumped, and booking with points suddenly feels impossible.

This Spring break season is shaping up the same way.

By the time March and April roll around, nonstop flights to the usual spring break favorites are often already gone—especially at reasonable points prices. And if you need to find space for multiple people, well, that’s a whole new nightmare to navigate.

That’s the bad news. The better news is that points aren’t completely off the table.

Here are some options you can still snatch up as spring break award space disappears.

 

International Economy Is Surprisingly Bookable

While domestic spring break routes are pricing aggressively, long-haul international economy—especially to Europe—is still showing pockets of availability, often with multiple seats on the same flight.

Through Air France-KLM Flying Blue, you can still find economy award space during peak spring break weeks, and it even includes routes starting on the West Coast.

Destinations still showing availability include:

Paris starting at 25,000 miles one way

A nonstop flight in economy class from Chicago to Paris at the end of March starts at 25,000 Flying Blue miles.

 

Amsterdam starting at 25,000 miles one way

This nonstop flight on April 1, 2026, from LAX to Amsterdam is 25,000 miles one-way and has award availability for 4.

 

Availability varies by route and date, but wide-body aircraft give airlines more seats to work with, which improves the odds of finding multiple award seats on the same flight—something that’s become increasingly rare on domestic spring break routes.

 

Other Destinations Are Still an Option If You’re Open to a Connection

 

Nonstop flights are disappearing first on high-demand spring break routes. But if you’re willing to accept a connection, you’ll often have far better luck keeping points costs in check.

 

 

Consider “Spring Break Adjacent” Destinations

Some of the best remaining award availability isn’t in the most obvious spring break hotspots, but nearby. And the experiences on the ground are often just as good, without the spring break premium baked into airfare.

Travelers struggling to find availability to Orlando may have better luck flying into Tampa, for example.

 

If Cancún is priced out, destinations like Cozumel or Puerto Vallarta will often show more manageable award pricing.

 

 

Five Quick Tips for Making Points Work Right Now

• Start with destinations, then work backward. Focus on where availability exists before locking in dates.
• Search for just one seat first. Saver-level availability often appears one seat at a time.
• Keep points flexible until booking. Transferable points give you room to pivot.
• Let points cover hotels if flights are overpriced. Hotel awards remain easier to book in many spring break markets.
• Shift travel days if you can. Even a one-day change can open up award space.

 

Booking your flight home on a Thursday is significantly cheaper than leaving on the weekend. 

 

There’s Still a Path to a Spring Break Trip

Spring break award space may be in short supply, but travel isn’t impossible—it’s just a little less forgiving. Travelers willing to adjust destinations, accept connections, and stay flexible with points still have real options, even as award space disappears.

The deals do go fast. But if you know where to look, points can still get you somewhere worthwhile this spring.

 

 

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