I tried to book 2 first class tix on United using my FF miles that I have saved forever, to Austalia. I tried to book them today (Jan 15, 2007) for a 3 week trip from Dec 2007 to Jan 2008. I was informed that I can only book a flight 331 days in advance. I thought I was getting ahead of the game and booking ahead! Also, I can book a flight on Dec. 27, 2007 this Friday, January 19 - but I can't book the return flight as it is over 331 days - and if you book the return trip later they charge a "change" fee of $100! I think it is weird that you cannot book a round trip ticket a year ahead. Is this a new rule, and, do you think that it will be difficult to get a FF ticket using miles if I wait until 331 days before the return date I want(Jan 16th)? What if someone wanted to book a honeymoon a year ahead - it isn't possible any more??? I am confused...any advice!?

Theoretically, you should be able to book the outbound and the return <b>route</b> that you want, but for an earlier date. Then, when when award inventory for the return date becomes available, call back and change the date. There is no fee to change the date, as long as the routing (city pairs and connection point(s) ) stays the same. This is how I booked tickets to Australia (also United).

http://www.united.com/page/article/0...k=%2Fawardfees

In practice, I will say that I found it a bit challenging to book award tickets for Australia in a premium cabin (you say you want first). I found that economy awards became available every day for tickets 331 days out, but first/business did not. For the first few weeks I was watching, no premium cabin inventory was added; then, one day, first/business inventory was added for several months' worth of dates all at once. This was back in August, and I was shopping for June-July.

It is too early to look at availability online for your dates, but I did a quick search for late November/early December (LAX/SFO-SYD) and found only a few scattered dates with any first-class saver awards available (UA metal only; you have to call to see what's available on partners).

Good luck!

Good luck trying to get tickets to Australia around Christmas and New Year's. This is very high season and they are usually blocked out. Can your dates be a little more flexible?

I have been trying since December 20th to book first class from Sydney-LA or Sydney-SF for November 16th or 17th. The booking over was easy - the flying back nothing so far. I went ahead and booked the dates with coach return and call every couple of days to see if something has appeared for the return flight. If business comes up I will take it and hope to change it to first later.

I meant to ask you ms_go - where do you &quot;watch&quot; for cabin inventory? I have a confirmation code from Alaska but not Qantas. Can I find the inventory without a Qantas confirmation code or if I need that can I get one? It would be nice to not have to keep calling Alaska Air partner desk. Thank you for any information.

Louise, there are paid services that let you see award capacity on various carriers. In the case of Qantas, one thing that's easy is to sign up for the Qantas FF program through their website (free) which then allows you to see award capacity in various classes on Qantas and some partners' planes. I've found that Alaska Airlines <i>in general</i> can &quot;see&quot; the same award inventory in their system that you can see through Qantas' website.

Also it's worth asking Alaska if there might be inventory on Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong, another of their partners. In general at that time of year any premium cabin award inventory is extremely scarce on both carriers. Business or First award seats on Qantas over the Pacific in Nov-Jan are legendary as among the toughest seats to score in all of frequent flyerdom.

QualMod, you could also phone United and see if there are business seats on Air New Zealand to NZ/Oz, and also ask them if UA has a published award level for Air NZ's premium economy class, which by many reports is quite acceptable too.

Thanks, Gardyloo - found I signed up years ago for the Qantas ff program. I checked out Cathay Pacific which I will consider although the flight times are significantly more. Not good news for November on Qantas but for one maybe the chances are better.

Thanks to you all, and 'ms_go' and 'Gardyloo' for the tips. BTW - I did call the Premier Executive dedicated phone # and UAL seems to have switched their call center to India or someplace outside of the US. This means efficiency, but the phone operators are like robots - no personalized service and &quot;finagling&quot; and such as I have experienced in the past when calling the Premier #...sad all these call ctrs are moving &quot;off shore.&quot; It is like an art booking these FF miles! I will try - wish me luck!

Am happy to report that this morning I got a business class seat from Sydney to S.F. for the middle of November. I will keep trying off and on for the first but this is fine.