I finally accumulated 35,000 miles in my Mileage Plus account recently.
I've always had the plan to use them to go from YVR to Central America.

I flew from YVR to GUA three years ago on United so I figured that I would be able to do the same as an award.

So I get on the website and try to book my award...despite countless attempts, I was not able to get anything to work. Is it because I'm trying to book from YVR? I did try from SEA as well and that didn't work either. Often the error message says that there is no such route. Or is it because it is completely booked to the end of the year? Or is the award chart misleading or am I reading it wrongly? I'm pretty flexible as to when to go but I'd like to go before the end of the year.

I looked through past threads and can't seem to figure out what the best thing to do would be. People mention ANA but I have no idea what that means. Can I book my award flight with different airlines? This newbie is totally overwhelmed...

Any ideas/suggestions gratefully accepted...