Wow- I am again impressed by availability on AS for awards. Last month I got my wife and her brother to a funeral on 12 hours notice (20k standard awards) using AS miles. Today I booked 2 award tickets to see my sister and her new baby this coming weekend (yes, Memorial Day weekend no less). I had to look between various LA airports to find optimal times and days, but I am floored that there were any flights with 20k standard award seats left only 4 days away from a holiday weekend.