Note: If the agent can't find award availability on the return flight, this is when you'd feed her the flight numbers for the alternate itineraries you researched earlier. (rewardexpert.com)
Furthermore, your chances of finding award availability for the dates you want are much better if you book early. (thepointsguy.com)
But while low miles costs are great in theory, none of this matters if you can't find award availability. (aroundtheworldineightydollars.com)