So I'm planning our Fall/Winter trip. Hotel availability is not an issue, so the gating item is the flights. Looking for premium class travel across the pond.

I've got enough miles in AA, BA, and NW. Let's give it a shot:

1. AA - log on, click on "redeem miles", pick the days, pick the flights, done. Plenty of availability, fast website, no sweat.

2. BA - log on, click on "book with miles", pick the days, pick the flights, done. Plenty of availability, easy website.

3. NW - ...? First of all, it's slower than a used car dealer's refund. They can only look at +/- 3 days (AA and BA are a month at a time). And (standard) availability is just a dream. Even Coach usually winds up with at least one leg at double price. Fooling around takes forever. I gave up eventually.

It's a pity, because NW is the only airline where I have any status at all, and I flew a lot of flights (and stayed in a lot of hotel rooms) to get those miles. I guess other folks were right -- NW is fine if you want to enjoy the domestic upgrades, but forget it when it comes to awards, especially international.

I know, there are techniques like trying one segment at a time and putting it together, but it takes time and the website doesn't make it any easier.

<sigh>

Has this been everyone else's experience or am I just running into a string of bad luck? Maybe if I try to pounce at day 330? Any other secrets? I hate to let those miles go to waste, since once they're into NW, they don't come out!