Originally Posted by
myndreamland
Thanks. However, I don't think I can hit that level just yet around the 330 days prior to the trip. Also, if I am to connect somewhere, that'd mean there will be 2 separate fares that I have to pay, wouldn't it? 1 from DFW to say LAX (on AA) and 1 from LAX to SGN/HAN (on CX/JL).
No, it's just 1 ticket. With AA you can string together multiple partners to get to your destination (I don't know how AS redemption works, but I assume the same)
One example might be AA DFW-ORD, CX ORD-HKG, CX HKG-SGN, then returning it may be JL SGN-NRT, JL NRT-LAX, AA LAX-DFW. You can also add the segment to your home airport if there is award availability on your dates, no need to drive to Dallas unless you really want.
If you won't have time to MS enough points/miles before you book, I would still do it and pay the change fee later. You can book whatever you can get at 330 days, but then later after you have the needed miles search again for business class and perhaps more favorable carriers. Basically you can keep doing that all the way up to departure and a lot of good stuff becomes available near the last minute.