Join Date: May 2004
Location: formerly Gold now Diamond, formerly MSY, now LAX, formerly NW, now DL
Programs: Hyatt Plat, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Delta Diamond/1MM
Posts: 4,727
It can work in your favor too
So if it takes a while for the ticket to be issued, you can always cancel the ticket even if it is well beyond the time you could have without any problems
Also if the fare drops you can always rebook the ticket without cost to you.
My reservations are usually via nwa.com and seem to ticket almost instantly after booking so never get to take advantage of this.