I checked for early March. From ATL, there were low-mileage coach awards to Berlin, Rome, Rio, and Buenos Aires. I couldn't believe it. Europe I can understood because it's low season. But South America? Is the bad economy making people cancel vacation plans, even if they use award travel?

I actually just (15 minutes ago) booked two BF saverpass reward tix to EZE in early July. We're waitlisted for F for the AUS legs, which figures since for the last 14 months, the only ups I've missed have been AUS<->IAH. Our decision came down to EZE or NRT and the availability was the decider.

I haven't looked at the Y seating chart for the EZE legs, but we were the first seats assigned in F (unless someone has taken the blocked seats) and the first seats assigned in F or Y for both AUS legs (again, unless there's actually someone assigned to the special needs seats).

To top it all off, we got a memorable PNR # as well.

(I actually logged on just now to search for threads on best seats on the 764... any opinions on 7AB anyone?)

I'm in the middle of an IAH-GIG (Rio) trip that I booked in H for $1,800. I thoght that was a surprisingly good deal for an out Sunday back Wednesday trip. (Two nights with less than 14 days advanced purchase.)

Got the mileage upgrade both ways as well.

FWIW
DLM

Going to Europe in March is off season (winter). The fares are low at that time, and award availability has always been good for off season.

Going to EZE in July is winter - and off season.

I do not think there are any surprises here.

Agreed. I got 2 BF reward tickets to EZE (actually, DL BE on return, but we were O/D-ing in ATL, anyway) mid-June of '08 with two weeks' notice. South America was the only region showing decent availability at that point - not Europe or Asia.

But I found EZE and GIG availability in March, not July. That's what I was saying--high season.

I can now reveal that I actually BOOKED ATL-FCO for late August, returning early September. 60K miles. (I didn't want somebody else to grab it if I posted it before booking! ) I was surprised at that as well. I've never been successful booking international award travel far in advance, and certainly not trans-atlantic in the summer.

Of course, only NW was available on the outbound . . . .

What'll happen if CO jumps from that alliance before my travel? Will they move me to CO, or just honor it as is?

If it's ticketed, it's ticketed.

If this were a revenue ticket situation, I wouldn't give you a 100% chance of getting mileage credit, but I'm pretty sure you have nothing to worry about.

Don't worry though....I was checking for summer BF to Europe on a widebody (no 757 for me to Europe, thanks) and the availability is next to nothing...so this gives me confidence that they haven't gone completely mad in Houston (I was able to find something in F on UA though...and it worked out better anyways because I was able to book a free stopover in Chicago)

I guarantee you that will change, when they get around to it. There was tons of BF availability to Europe last summer; they probably just haven't opened it up yet. I imagine they're still figuring out schedules and how to cut back all the capacity they just added (along with DL and others).

Good .......gonna be looking for some discounted BF to BCN and FCN this Spring/Summer........... hope it's good n' cheap


Also looking for weekend saverpass coach for some friends for the same routes ......not so great yet....will keep searching