Sorry if I sound a little dumb - I've been a DC member for a number of years and have slowly collected points, but have never redeemed. I now have enough points to get a return J class between zone 1 and zone 9 and would like to use these to visit my mum later this year, as a surprise for her birthday.

Would like to fly SYD-MAN around 28 Oct and then LHR-SYD around 9 November.

I don't need any stopovers and would prefer to take as direct flights as possible.

So, I called the DC 0870 number last night, but was told there was no J availability at all, on or around these dates. However, there was plenty of Y.

I'd tried looking up availability through expert flyer, but (unless I'm using it incorrectly), it doesn't show award availability for SQ or TG (the carriers I suspect I will have to use for my route - would prefer SQ).

Having scanned a view DC threads, I see a number of peopel referring to an ANA tool and also finding J, even F availability for flights later this year (granted, on other routes).

Can anyone please give me a few points as to how to find the seats I'm looking for? A link to the ANA tool and any pointers as to how to call someone who can actually assist me?

Really appreciate it.