I booked an award flight on CX business (w/AA miles in March for an Aug. trip), from ORD via HKG to CGK. I was able to book the flights I wanted except the HKG-CGK leg in which the only flight originally available was the last of 3 non-stop flights for the day, meaning a 12 hour layover.

I have been checking BA and JAL for award availability since I made my booking but everyone of the 3 NS flights in that direction available on the day I need has shown NO AVAILABILITY... until yesterday.... I checked on a whim and found my PERFECT (9:20AM) FLIGHT SHOWED AS AVAILABLE in business as well as ECE. I couldn't believe it so I checked the date and flight # again and it was true.

I immediately called AA reservations and after no more than 10 minutes they informed me that there were NO AVAILABLE REWARD SEATS on that day....sorry. I hung up and went back to my computer and did a new search, and sure enough, no reward seats showed as available!

What gives? Any thoughts??...it is not likely the Hong Kong to Jakarta route was booked that quickly. Is it possible that just because I checked the seats were pulled?