Hi. I have recently become a BA "silver" status frequent flyer (using my Amex Premium Plus card as well as quite a few work flights)

I've accumulated a companion voucher as well as 150,000 miles and want to book for my whole family to go to north america (Vancouver) this summer. I've enough points but have been checking regularly since September and they have absolutely no availability anywhere closem to the dates I want to go, even if i look at flying instead to other destinations in North America.

I'm beginning to think the whole thing is pretty useless if in fact i'll never actually be able to utilise my miles - or at least not during the school holidays.

Any tips for me please? Perhaps i shiould just give up my Amex card and start accumulating points with the Star Alliance? Are they any better?