Okay, so I might be a tad over-optimistic, but I'm planning a trip to Costa Rica for Christmas using my Amex 241 voucher (triggered a couple of days ago), flying in F, travelling out just before Christmas and back two weeks later.

I'd like to fly via MEX (and pay for connecting flights with Aeromexico to SJO from there), however, when I check availability in December for 241 F redemptions, nothing comes up at all. This is using the booking engine rather than the redemption availability checker.. is this because I'm trying with a 241 redemption?

I know I'm not at T-355 for the return leg so this is all a bit academic until bookings open, but I'd like to know:

* Is LHR-MEX my best bet for availability for an F 241 redemption at this time of year?
* Or, might IAH or MIA be better in terms of availability (although not necessarily ease of onward connection to SJO)?
* Why is no F redemption availability showing in December in the booking engine, but there appears to be availability in the reward availability tool? - am I doing something wrong?
* Does redemption availability all get released at T-355, or is it staggered in some way?
* How likely is it for me to achieve any of the above?

This last question is pertinent because my partner and I will be travelling to BOS in August. I've yet to book the tickets but will do before the current sale ends on 25th January, therefore I want to tie all this up before that date because if I can't use my Amex 241 for our Costa Rica trip then I'll use it for BOS.

Many thanks


LT

PS I have searched FT for answers on the above so know bits and pieces, but not the insight I'm after - particularly from FTers who might have done trips to SJO and/or over Christmas using redemption.