Continental Frequent Flier experts??

[Simba's Mom]

Does Continental open more seats for FF miles users as the time gets closer to the flight? The reason I ask is that in the past few years, I've noticed that if I try to use our FF miles several months in advance, there's often no availability. But if I happen to try for a trip that's coming up in the next month or so, there's likely to be availability. Specifically I'm right now trying for a trip we want to take to WDW next May, and even by being flexible on dates and airports, there's nothing. I'm trying to figure out if I should just give up and buy tickets, or wait and try again in a few more months.

 

[prncess674]

CO is notorious for not releasing seats. I am not sure where you are flying from but if you don't mind connecting you should call the CO partner desk and see if award seats are available on Delta or Northwest which are both now partners of CO. They will not check DL or NW unless you specifically ask. Award seats typically open up 30 days prior departure. Since you have such a long time before your trip I would hold out and see if cheap fares become available. I value FF miles at 0.02 a mile. Hence if it is 25,000 miles for a domestic ticket then the ticket needs to be over $500 before I would cash in my miles.