There was some discussion about booking and using expertflyer to look for seats. They didn't do the typical "let's do a sample award booking" like you have seen in past DOs.
The was some interesting discussion regarding when space is available. Last minute flexibility is a great benefit if you can do it. So book whatever you can and then wait.(and hope?) Seats are released at various times then more if selling is unsuccessful. Here are some of my notes:
Airline Release space
CX 2 wks, sell down to 3. 2 days, sell down to 1
LH 2 wks out sell down to 5, 3-4 days, sell down to 3-4
IB U9 or U0 Seemingly alll or nothing, day by day
BA 4-5 seats w/i 2 weeks. varies by routing
Singapore - Release 11 months in advance - 2 suites class. Can waitlist.
JAL - No real logic. Last seat available on award
Austrian - 90 days out for business, and last minute great (2-3 seats)
Air Berlin - Miami, NY, Chicago, Fort Myers - 1-2 seats in advance, most left within a week
FinnAir- NY - No logic
Etihad- 2 F from IAD, sometimes 2 from JFK. good at last minute
Qatar - 4 J per flight, best at PHL. Good at last minute.
Air Tahiti Nui - LAX to Paris - No fuel surcharge
Thai - Europe to BKK -- all but 1 or 2 F or J seats last minute - FRA, CDG
Turkish - Inconsistent. Most from IAH. In advance, better. Not great JFK.
Air China - last minute no space but good before hand. IAH, SFO, LAX good, IAD OK
Alitalia - Last minute, 2 wks space, book through DL