I'm planning to go to Mexico next year in February. Unfortunately the dates are not available yet for my return trip (more than 330 days away).

However, the departure just became available a few days ago and it looks like all of the low fare tickets are gone.

SEA->PVR is $242 earlier in the month but due to holidays, etc. it is $455 one day when I want to go.

I'm relatively new to Alaska Airlines.

1) Is it is the same price whether I book 2 one way flights vs 1 round trip flight? I.e., should I book this flight one way right now before the price goes up any more? Pretty soon I think the $455 flights will be gone and I'll be stuck with $570 refundable seats only.

2) Is there any way for me to "reserve" seats without buying them? i.e., maybe if I use miles for purchase and then cancel later, is that allowed?

3) I have one companion pass that I want to use so I need to wait for the return flight to become available so that I can buy a RT ticket and use the companion pass for the $118 companion one.

Thanks!

Rock.