Originally Posted by ckpeter

Yes, assuming all your segments together form a valid explorer award, you can certainly hold them for 5 days with the intention to later change the date of the last segment when award space opens up at 330 days out. You can even repeatedly hold and renew the hold to get multiple 5-day holds, but there is a risk that each time you renew the hold, the award space may not be there to renew.