We normally fly from US west coast to LHR in J with Avios, booking one way at a time at the 355 day point. We have a Chase 241 that expires in October next year. As I understand the rules, as long as the outbound trip is before the expiry date, we can return later. But the 241 is only for RT travel.

I have seen that the award seats disappear within a day or two of the release date. So how do we book this? If I wait until 355 days from the return date, the seats on the outbound date will be gone. So do I book the outbound and a return the following day, and then change the return date later when the date we want is released? If so, how exactly do I do that? Would prefer online if possible, as the phones are impossible.

I appreciate any insight or advice you can offer.