I want two seats to travel round-trip BHX-FRA-CAI later this year. There is availability in economy only.

I've noticed that additional business award seats can appear about two weeks before a flight. So I called Lufthansa and asked if it would be possible to cancel an economy award (for €40 fee) if business seats do become available, and then rebook in business.

(1) Lufthansa told me that it's very unusual for additional award seats to be made available nearer flight time. This is not what I have witnessed on other routes. Have I just been lucky?

(2) Lufthansa told me that if I cancelled an award booking, it could be several days before the miles were available in my account to re-use. With the slashing of the Senator overdraft, I would not have sufficient miles to re-book in the interim. Has anyone any direct experience of how long it takes miles to be re-credited? Are there any ways round this?

(3) If the booking system shows availability BHX-FRA return and FRA-CAI return, but not BHX-CAI return for the same flights, will they let me book this over the phone with Senator companion discount and no offline surcharges?

Thanks, Martin.