Thank you so much for all of this useful info!! They did let me hold the reservations until the points transfer. I booked 2 one-way awards JFK-IST in business and IST-IAD in economy because they said there was no business availability on any of the flights to the east on the return. I figured this way I have the one ticket set and I can change the other one if space opens up without having to cancel my first one. This was a huge help, thank you!