iahphx

It's been years since I've looked for a coach award on US to Europe, but friends and family have been asking for help and I've been doing some research. Generally, the results are discouraging -- needle-in-a-haystack inventory for busy and shoulder seasons. Is there any pattern as to when US loads more award seats, or is the inventory always poor?

The best alternative for Star Alliance redemption seems to by Lufthansa's PHL-FRA flight. But inventory on that one seems weird (at least when I use CO's search function): like there's not much inventory in June, but then it becomes wide open in July and August. Alas, Germany seems to now charge a "carbon tax" even on connecting flights (about $40 each way, I think), so it's not necessarily the optimal solution if you're not actually headed to Germany, but it sure beats US's award availability.

Any other tricks for PHL-Europe award flights? Thanks.