Air New Zealand Air Points - when to book return-ZQN-AKL-LAX

I've been trying to book open jaw return ZQN-AKL-LAX for 9/23/2010 but the seats have not been released-at least that's what they are telling me. does anyone know when Air New Zealand releases their seats for FF miles? I booked my outgoing on UA-331 days out but that doesn't seem to be the case for ANZ.:confused:

Award seats get released when flights are added to the schedule, and from time to time subsequently depending on how loads are going.

If there is no availability now, keep checking back. Also check the other alternative flights; AKL-SFO, AKL-YVR, AKL-islands-LAX & AKL-HNL (these last two are generally on 767 so no flat bed if you are in business class); alternate dates, etc.

You can see if UA filtering is at work by checking availability in the ANA award lookup tool - sign up to ANA (for free) and search awards (no need to have miles in the account to search).

NZ usually puts seats onsale 330 days before departure.

What is ANA and how do I go about using that? I'm sorry but I'm not familiar with it. thanks

ANA is a Japanese based airline.

Go to www.ana.co.jp/eng and sign up for an account with their frequent flyer program. Then, while logged in, do a search for *A awards.

If you see availability for the flights you want call back to United Mileage Plus to book them. Note that UA filters/blocks availability and makes less awards available to its members.

This post http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/bmi-diamond-club/882941-bmi-faq-no-4-redemptions-finding-award-seats-ana-online-tool-masterclass.html on the BD forum comprehensively explains the ANA tool

Jeff

thanks so much for the instructions-unfortunately I can't find any flts available in business-and it's really early-do full fares really book these up a year out? It was only 330 the other day. Any ideas? I have to do something cause I have my outbound already. would they upgrade you if you booked in economy? sorry for so many questions but I'm a newbie to using FF for intn'l. thanks