When to book UC to NYC next July using miles?

Hi,

I'm looking to use our miles for the 1st time, for 3 x returns to NY next July (may fly back from IAD?).
Normally when I book (paying cash), I am there on the day that they become available (mainly as its always been MCO in the school holidays). But this time I am looking at early July for 7-10 days (Just before school holidays start).
Would this be the best time to book, or do they tend to hold back and only release 'mile' flights when they think they need to?

I also have 'Free companion rewards' (x2) and 'Econ to PE free upgrades' (x2) - Don'y know if this helps???

Any advice would be appreciated.
Many thanks,

[Nottingham Nick]

My experience with booking more than one UC ticket with points on the same plane has always been to do it as soon as the return date becomes available. Be prepared to be a little flexible with your days - Fridays and Sundays are popular business days.

If you want UC, then the Y - PE upgrade vouchers won't help.

Do the maths, but don't expect the companion ticket to be any good, as you have to book in an expensive bucket.

Nick

Tickets are generally available 11 months in advance so for July 2011 will start to be available from early August this year. But even then the reward seats may not be released straight away so its a case of regular checking.

As NIck says you may need to be a little flexible with your dates (and to a multi flight destination like NYC with flight times too) but it all depends on the number of seats available and who else is after them.

Am not sure how many reward seats they have on each flight as this varies but you may have to be prepared to split your party up onto different flights if 3 arn't available on the same plane though a call to VS when you are actually booking might help as they maybe able to do some shuffling.