Likewise it's possible that AFKL view booking an award more than 300-ish days out as a signal that you're not flexible about the date (e.g. it's your honeymoon or there's some big family reunion or whatever: something where you absolutely have to be there on a given day), so automatically charge more miles. Many airlines do similar with cash availability: try to see if anyone is willing to buy with no or only a very small discount.