i understand. that's what i've been saying about how cx does this. its plain stupid. i think some of us would pay priority rates if that is what it is. but cx made it in a way its exactly the same pool of seats as standard award so usually there is no reason to do that (or you can just wait it out if you only see priority awards)
anyways, the other thing you can do is to standby at the airport, with the assumption that the "later" of the group would have nothing better to do than to hang around near the airport.