I was just able to book a J award CX flight last minute, on Mon 1/7. HKG-SFO

Had been checking all weekend, and the morning of I saw the award appear on QF's site. Called in and had it booked for that night on CX872 in J. First AS phone agent didn't see it, but I asked to check with partner redemption desk and sure enough they saw it right away.

Otherwise, was going to book JAL F via HKG-HND-SFO