"But don't tell that to Bill Burford, a Dallas art gallery owner who tried to use his miles on Delta to send his daughter and her family to Paris in mid-November. He offered four dates and more than two months' advance notice, but says the carrier couldn't accommodate him. "It's a farce," says Mr. Burford, who ended up buying tickets on US Airways instead."
http://interactive.wsj.com/articles/...5948412915.htm

"...more than two months advance notice..."----IMHO, I don't think that Mr. Burford was being fair and gave USAIR enough time, expecially since he was trying to send a large group (daughter and whole family) to a popular destination. When I am trying to book an award ticket, I will try often six months in advance.

I cannot recall EVER not being able to use an award ticket, even for tickets to popular destinations such as Europe. If AA cannot provide me with a seat, I will ask if they have a codeshare they can put me on, or if I can use the ticket on an alliance carrier. Or even, if I can't get to Paris, try London and then take the Chunnel.

I wonder if we (FT'rs) are just more flexible in our scheduling or just more savy to the FF game?