Other North & South America Frequent Flyer Programs - Booking TAM domestic flight using miles more than 90 days in advance

When I contacted United's Mileage Plus reps about using miles to go from FOR to JNB and on to DAR in May. This would require taking TAM as far as GRU before catching another Star Alliance carrier (probably South African), I was told that TAM did not allow booking of domestic flights using miles more than 90 days in advance. Yes, this would be part of an interntional itinerary but the TAM segment would be domestic, so, I was told, I could not book yet.

Anyone faced this, or something like it, using miles? Only option offered by MP rep was to book the itinerary starting in GRU and then, when/if the TAM segement becomes available for booking using miles down the road, adding that ($170 pp to chang the itinerary, plus any additional miles). I've only run into such a time restriction with TAM.

Air Canada's Aeroplan rules are the same. International TAM seats are available within 6 months whereas domestic seats are only available 90 days in advance. And yes, then we are also stuck with the change fees as well.

I have found reward space generally limited but some domestic routes definetely free up in the 88 - 90 day range.

This is true. JJ does not allow redemption booking more than 3 months in advance for all their domestic and intra South America flights. Yes, it is very frustrating.

I have been monitoring GRU-EZE for the past 2 months on a rolling 3 months forward basis and have found availability in all classes has been near non existent.

However, if you are JJ's Fidelidade, I noticed availability to be quite plentiful. It appears that JJ blocked availability for redemption by *A partner but reserving those seats for their own members only.

This is true. JJ does not allow redemption booking more than 3 months in advance for all their domestic and intra South America flights. Yes, it is very frustrating.

I have been monitoring GRU-EZE for the past 2 months on a rolling 3 months forward basis and have found availability in all classes has been near non existent.

However, if you are JJ's Fidelidade, I noticed availability to be quite plentiful. It appears that JJ blocked availability for redemption by *A partner but reserving those seats for their own members only.

Thanks. Doesn't look good. May have a Fidelidade # from long ago but my miles are all with MileagePlus. 'My wife has her miles Fidelidade so things may be better for her--maybe she can plead for their help with me :-)

p.s. as bad as having to pay for the FOR-GRU-FOR ticket is (currently about $450 for next May), I'd also technically be under the very low domestic flight baggage weight allowance, though maybe I could convince them to get the higher limit since I'd be connecting to an international flight (which would be in biz class). Wish I could just move enough miles for the flight from MileagePlus to TAM Fidelidade.