AwardLocker vs ExpertFlyer
ExpertFlyer is the OG of award and fare-class tools. Power users have relied on it for over a decade for upgrade tracking, seat maps, and fare classes. AwardLocker is purpose-built for one job: finding premium cabin awards fast on the airlines we cover. Here's how they compare.
Feature comparison
| Feature | AwardLocker | ExpertFlyer |
|---|---|---|
| Award availability search | Live across major US carriers and partners | Yes — broader airline list, occasionally lagged |
| Cash fare class tracking | ✗ No | Yes — extensive |
| Upgrade space tracking (PUMU, R, RN, etc.) | ✗ No | Yes — flagship feature |
| Seat maps with quirks (limited recline, etc.) | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Premium cabin sweet-spot guides | Yes — 10 finders | ✗ No |
| Mobile UX | Mobile-first | Functional but dated |
| Pricing | $4.99/mo Pro | $99.99/yr Premium |
| Free tier | Yes — 60-day search horizon | Yes — limited basic tier |
| Notifications on availability | Yes (Pro) | Yes (Pro) |
| Specialty finders (e.g. Qsuite, Polaris, Mint) | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
Where AwardLocker wins
- Faster, mobile-first award search experience
- Cheaper ($4.99 vs $99.99/yr ≈ $8.33/mo)
- Specialty finders for premium cabin products (Qsuite, Polaris, Mint, etc.)
- Hand-curated buyer's guide content for each airline and route
Where ExpertFlyer wins
- Cash fare class tracking is unmatched
- Seat-map quirk database (which row has limited recline, etc.) is irreplaceable
- Upgrade space (R, RN, PUMU) tracking — critical for status flyers
- More established power-user community and ecosystem
Who should use each
Use AwardLocker if...
Travelers focused on award redemptions in premium cabins, who want a fast, mobile-first search experience and don't need cash fare tracking.
Use ExpertFlyer if...
Status flyers tracking upgrade availability, seat-map nerds, or anyone who needs deep fare-class data alongside award search.
FAQ
Should I use AwardLocker or ExpertFlyer?
If you book mostly award redemptions and want a fast mobile-friendly experience, AwardLocker. If you're a status flyer tracking upgrade space across multiple programs, or need deep fare-class data, ExpertFlyer remains the gold standard. Many users keep both for different jobs.
Does AwardLocker have seat maps?
Not yet. Seat maps with quirks (limited-recline rows, missing windows) are on our roadmap but are not currently a feature. ExpertFlyer is the right tool for that.
Can AwardLocker show me upgrade availability?
No — we focus on award space (saver-level partner inventory). Upgrade space (R, RN, PUMU, GUC) requires a different data integration that we haven't prioritized.
Try AwardLocker free
No credit card required. 60-day search horizon across the major US carriers and their international partners. See if our coverage works for your typical trips before paying for anything.
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