Also if you know the specific flights that you want to try to take you can look at the number of open seats. I know it isn't scientific, but I've found that if a flight is close to full, they don't seem to drop the level of award miles needed as the time to the flight gets closer. The fuller the flight the better the chances of them raising the miles needed. If the flight is somewhat open, there is a possibility they will lower the mileage requirements. I do an annual trip from TPA to BUD and the direct flight from JFK varied between 150 and 200k for business elite for about 11 months. Finally a month before the trip, they lowered it to 100k for business when there were 35 or so open seats in the back... Just keep looking.