Hi!

I need advice on how to best book an award ticket in the fall. I am looking for an economy milesaaver award from Rome to NYC in September. Currently, I can book my preferred flight from London to Newark, but there is no availability from Rome to London. Alternatively, I can book the complete itinerary FCO-LHR-JFK with flights later in the day, arriving at JFK at approximately 10pm.

So, here's the question:

Would it be best to book the later flights and then try to change them to earlier flights, or book the preferred LHR-EWR flight and try to find availability on a flight from FCO to LHR? What's the best strategy?

Thanks!