This....it's the closest thing to a World Cup atmosphere as you can get without being at a World Cup. The other federations don't have the depth that UEFA does....you could engorge yourself on a lot of really great matches if you can get to Germany this summer.

So I'll admit that I *don't* actually know...but I wonder if this is a side effect of the programs wanting to be able to market "no blackouts, seats (nearly) always available". 20 years ago, programs had standard awards that could be tough to get, "rulebuster" awards often for 2x miles but only on your own program's metal, and then - very often - no availability at all if there was a partner segment. And with long lists of blackout dates where there would be nothing at all at any level.

Now the marketing has changed, so the airlines will show you availability, but priced so far beyond a ridiculous level that it might as well be no availability.

Whether they do this because they think they're going to sell revenue tickets or fly the seat empty and add 150kg of cargo, I don't really know or care. Point is....they think they can get more value out of the capacity than letting someone book an award at the old "standard" level.

If I had to guess, I'd say it's simply that demand is outstripping supply throughout a lot of the aviation world and the window of off-peak deals has gotten quite narrow.