Distant planetary nebulae (PNe) are used to measure distances through the PN luminosity function, as kinematic tracers in determining the mass distribution in elliptical galaxies, and most recently, for measuring the kinematics of the diffuse stellar population in galaxy clusters. This article reviews the photometric and spectroscopic survey techniques that have been used to detect PNe beyond the Local Group, out to the Coma cluster at 100 Mpc distance. Contaminations by other emission sources and ways to overcome them will be discussed as well as some science highlights and future perspectives.