Last year I was new here (not to FT though). DH was doing a bit of MR in Orlando to earn 3 FFN. We were going to Kauai and was hoping to stay 3 nights at the Hyatt. We also were going to stay in our condo for a week. Well I didn't know that I could book the FFN when it was announced in September. Waited until he earned the nights and split out stay at one night in beginning and 2 the last nights -- one of which was NYE... didn't think it would become available. WOuld have been so much better to do 3 together. We only had points for 2 nights since Kauai had increased to 18K.
Fast forward to this year. Booked 3 nights using points in the spring. Learned my lesson that I could probably switch to FFN or just book them when it's announced. Then I found out (by chance, never was notified and couldn't find the award until I made diamond) that I got one of the Big Welcome nights. So now we have enough for 4 nights on points. Will talk to our PL as soon as Oct. 1st comes along to grab the FFN . Otherwise we'll just use the points... hard as they are to earn.
JMHO