In IRROPS there is a lot more ability to have beneficial changes . You don't just have to accept whatever you are given if there is a cancellation. If the day before the chosen flight is better for you then ask for it!

For example, I recently booked some AS award flights using QF points. A few weeks later I found that there was a schedule change and my 2 hr connection became 8 hours. I rang QF and they said "no availability shown in the system for a better connection - but I'll message AS and see if they can open up seats that you want". A day later I rang back to QF and the preferred seats had indeed been approved. This wouldn't have happened without the direct phone operator's actions.