3Cforme: Those are undesireable times to fly. They don't maximize time off from work and the flyer misses parts of both weekends. Leaving on a friday night. You miss Friday night in AMS. Then flying home on a Saturday you miss the weekend in AMS. In other words you are missing all of the fun weekend stuff. Plus you have to take off 5 full days from work (and be gone from work a full work week). A more desireable trip would be to leave on Wednesday and return on Monday. You only have to take off from work 3 days (TH, FRI, MON).

Italy98: I don't like your suggestion, "just keep checking". That's not fair to Delta flyers that work hard to earn their miles and they are not able to use them when they need to (at Low Award Levels). Delta blocks flights and routes even at 330 days out. Some FTs like to plan their trips well ahead. I think Delta should at least have low award availability loaded at the 330 window. I think this is fair for those who like to plan ahead. This is how UA does it. However, CO will probably take this away.