Something strange is going on with KE awards. I've had numerous DL agents tell me that there isn't any availability for transpacific flights on KE "until November" or somesuch -- obviously b/s, but it seems to be based on software problems (or perhaps: filtering) rather than the agent's incompetence or laziness. What's strange is that there are no such problems with booking intra-Asian KE flights (they all seem to be wide open, outside of the blackout periods, of course).

Generally, booking KE awards is a very frustrating experience, because there isn't any tool that allows researching availability beforehand. Very 2004 -- call early and hope for the best -- I wish we could see KE availability through some tool (e.g., Expertflyer, NWA Japan, DL.com)!