Pointify
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Pointify vs Going: A Fair Comparison

Going vs Pointify — is a deal newsletter enough, or do you need a search tool?

Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) is the best-known mistake-fare and cheap-deal email newsletter, with a 2M+ subscriber list and a strong brand. It is read-only — you subscribe, you wait, and when a deal hits your city you get an email with a link to Google Flights. Pointify is a searchable platform: you can look up your own dates, your own routes, and see points prices alongside cash. Pointify also sends real-time mistake-fare alerts (email, SMS, and push). The two are different shapes of the same goal — Going is a lean-back email experience, Pointify is a lean-forward search-and-book tool. Many travelers use both.

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Feature comparison

  • Free flight search
    Can anyone run a basic search without signup?
    Pointify
    Yes
    Going
    No
  • Points & award search
    Do they index airline award availability?
    Pointify
    Yes
    Going
    No
  • Cash + points side-by-side
    Show both currencies on the same result row.
    Pointify
    On every result row
    Going
    No
  • Transfer-bonus awareness
    Flag when a card transfer bonus is live.
    Pointify
    Yes
    Going
    No
  • Fare prediction / wait-vs-book
    "Prices will drop/rise" guidance.
    Pointify
    Yes
    Going
    No
  • Chrome extension
    Results in-page while browsing Google Flights.
    Pointify
    On roadmap
    Going
    No
  • Email / push deal alerts
    Proactive alerts for deal thresholds.
    Pointify
    Email + SMS + push
    Going
    Email — the core product
  • Direct booking
    Checkout without leaving the site.
    Pointify
    IATAN-accredited
    Going
    No

When Pointify wins

Specific situations where Pointify is the better fit than Going.

  • You have specific dates or routes in mind

    Going is broadcast — you see whatever deal they publish. Pointify lets you search your exact dates and destinations and compare points vs cash.

  • You want to redeem miles, not just pay cash

    Going is cash-only deals. Pointify surfaces award availability on the same search and calculates cents-per-point so you know if miles are a good deal.

  • You want to book without leaving the tool

    Going links out to Google Flights or the airline. Pointify is IATAN-accredited and books directly, so mistake fares can be locked in before the airline withdraws them.

  • You want real-time alerts beyond email

    Pointify sends SMS and push within minutes of a mistake fare going live. Going is email-only and batched — which means slower alerts and more chances for fares to expire.

When Going wins

We are not the right tool for everyone. Here are cases where Going is the better pick. We would rather tell you the truth than oversell.

  • You want a hands-off deal inbox, nothing else

    If your workflow is "I just want good flight deals in my inbox once a week and I will book wherever," Going’s 10+ years of curation is excellent and the brand is well-trusted. Pointify does more, which some travelers will find is more than they need.

  • You are brand-loyal to Going's editorial voice

    Going’s newsletter has real personality. If you enjoy the format and read-along culture, that is a genuine reason to stick with them.

Frequently asked questions

Is Pointify free like Going's basic plan?
Yes. Flight and hotel search, cents-per-point calculations, and one price alert are free. Pro ($9.99/month) unlocks unlimited alerts, the deal digest, and concierge features. Going Premium is $49/year with a similar tier structure.
Does Pointify send deal alerts the way Going does?
Yes, and faster. Pointify sends mistake-fare and deal alerts by email, SMS, and push within minutes of a fare going live. Going is email-only.
Can Pointify find award availability that Going can't?
Always. Going is cash-only — they do not surface award availability at all. Pointify indexes awards across all major US and international programs.
Can I book directly on Pointify?
Yes. Pointify is IATAN-accredited and processes bookings end-to-end. Going links you out to the airline or Google Flights.
Can I use both Going and Pointify?
Yes — many power users do. Use Going for serendipitous deals in your inbox, and Pointify when you have specific dates, routes, or a points-redemption plan in mind.

Search everything. Pay however you want.

Pointify searches 300+ providers across flights, hotels, cars, and cruises — with cash and points side by side. Free to start. No credit card required.

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