Originally Posted by GUWonder

7 days before (whatever that means) for regular DC members; and 3 days before (whatever that means) for BD Golds. There have been situations where I (as a BD Gold) on a Tuesday have been told it's not possible to book an award trip for Friday because it doesn't meet the 3-day cut-off -- most of those times they've been willing to make an "exception" and let me use my miles for my late Friday departure.

There is no "rapid redemption" fee for bookings. There are just cut-offs for redemptions of either 7-days or 3-days.