Here's help with using frequent-flier miles

Frustrated with trying to book frequent-flier award travel?

Seattle-based Yapta.com is launching a service that will notify travelers when they can use miles to book an award seat that becomes available on a specific flight.

Known for alerting travelers to airfare price drops after tickets have been purchased and helping them obtain credit for the difference, Yapta is adding a free service that will allow travelers to receive an e-mail alert when an award seat becomes available on five major airlines, including Alaska Airlines, United, Delta, Continental and US Airways.

Travelers first do an online search for airfare on www.yapta.com and click "include award tickets" to begin tracking the flight. Yapta will send alerts via e-mail if either the price drops or an award seat opens up for the minimum mileage possible.

Yapta links travelers directly to the awards section of an airline's Web site to redeem miles and book tickets.

Airlines typically release award seats 11 months in advance but can release more at any time based on cancellations, changes or demand. Carriers often release seats a few days before a flight's scheduled departure.

"One of the biggest frustrations for frequent travelers is not knowing when they can actually redeem their miles to book an award seat," said Tom Romary, a former Alaska Airlines executive and president & CEO of Yapta.

Yapta's award seat alert service also benefits airlines by helping their travelers more easily use miles, he said.

Carol Pucci: cpucci@seattletimes.com