9 flight award booking hacks every traveler should know

In a morning editorial meeting at The Points Guy a few weeks ago, the team discussed some easy ways still out there to help folks snag great award redemptions. Some are so basic that we sometimes forget them ourselves.While we've seen a dramatic increase in the cost of award travel, there are still plenty of great deals to be found, and plenty of ways to save when redeeming your valuable points and miles.Here are a few hacks to keep in mind as you book your next award flight.Book a positioning flightCLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUYI'm writing this story from American's Flagship Lounge at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), where I'm about to board a flight to Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG). But this is not my home airport.Instead, I found a great business-class award using Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points on American Airlines' new nonstop flight from PHL to PRG. Total price? Just 55,000 Atmos Rewards points and $5.60 in taxes and fees. That's a great deal, and it wasn't available from New York City, where I live.Sometimes, the cheapest trip starts with getting yourself to a different airport.That's why you should consider positioning flights. Sometimes you'll find a much...