Hey folks,

While I've made Aeroplan redemptions before, they've always been close-in non-stops and I was able to see the space I was looking for online. My routing would be IAD-NRT-BKK with IAD-NRT in NH F and NRT-BKK in NH J to start. I've got a special occasion coming up, so I'd really like to book these flights when the calendar opens. From my understanding, NH releases O and I space 355 days out, while TG is somewhere in the 337-330 range. I'm happy to pay a change fee later on to swap from NH J to TG F on the NRT-BKK leg. My questions are as follows:

1. If I can't see award space on Aeroplan.com, but the space is showing on ANA's website and EF, will a phone rep be able to book it? I've tried the call center before and a rep told me that they can only see what we see online, but the forums indicate that this may not be the case.

2. How does the 355 day release work? Should I be looking at departure time plus 355 days, or is there a particular time of day (such as JL's 10am JST) that award space will release?

3. Would you recommend booking the TPAC leg first and then wait for the intra-asia leg to open up, or book the whole thing at once? As happy as am I to pay a change fee to switch from NH J to TG F once the TG calendar opens up, I'd prefer having to avoid two change fees. That being said, if the TPAC space will go quickly, I understand needing to lock it in.

If there's anything you think I'm overlooking, I promise it's not intentional, I'm just unfamiliar with early redemptions. I'm happy to hear any advice you all have.