I am not sure if you will check back on this or not, but I'll post my thoughts anyway.

I just barely booked my first free flight with my Mypoints/Vacation miles. I used the 28,000 miles for an airline of my choice. I called the number on the certificate you get from Mypoints and spoke to a travel agent. It was very easy, just tell the person that they are mypoints vacation miles, apparently they are a little different, just give them the certificate number on the reward.

Anyway, the woman I talked to was very friendly and helpful. There is a 21 day advance purchase restriction, but I don't know about blackout dates. The only restriction not listed on the certificate was that the cost of the ticket must be under $450 (I assumed that this was the case for all free tickets within the CONUS).. My ticket was just under that (after she took the extra time to find a different return flight with a double connection), so I was quite happy...a free $450 plane ticket. I was also happy that she had no problem with whatever airline I wanted to fly. She took my United mileage plus number so I will get the miles for the flight and even gave me the economy plus seats since I am Premier with United.

I am very pleased with the program. One other thing...I had a 25,000 and 5,000 mile certificate. Since the reward I used was only 28,000 miles..they keep the 2,000 miles in my "account" for next time.

Hope you check back and that this helps!

Scott