I had a similar issue: partner award in I from MUC-JFK on Monday. The only thing left on LHG when I called in (which I did immediately of course) was the same flight today. I was initially relieved that it wasn't too much of a struggle to get LH to take control of this ticket, but then irritated that I couldn't be put on SQ FRA-JFK on Sunday, which, contrary to the LHG flights that day still had plenty of availability. I didn't push the issue too much further because it's not a problem for me to be in NY early, but I plan to bill them for the extra nights there (not staying in a hotel, but doesn't mean I can't just write up a bill anyway ).