How to book reward flights 5 weeks apart.

We are planning fly to Orlando next Feb and back 5 or 6 weeks later.
We would like to fly Upper using miles.
What are the pros and cons of:
a) waiting until the return date opens and try to book the whole trip in one go.
b) as soon as the outbound date is released book single fares and then try and link a return when that is booked.
We would be open to flying back from Atlanta as our main holiday is in South Carolina, with a few days spent in Orlando at the start. Really want Upper at least on the way home.
Any advice welcome.
Dick D

I would book the return for the following day and then just pay the £30 change fee when the flight you want appears.

I would book the return for the following day and then just pay the £30 change fee when the flight you want appears.

Thanks. Hadn't thought of that option.
Dick D

That's an interesting way of doing things. But in practice, if you couldn't get a return flight that you actually wanted would you REALLY come back the next day? - If not, it seems a waste of the £30

I think in the end it all depends on flexibility. You're BOUND to be able to get home some way at some time. It may not be a direct flight, and it may not be the exact day you want. You may even have to pay for part of the journey (hopefully not) to get it to link up

Using my philosophy above, of booking outwards immediately, I've never been stuck, and have also discovered some damn nice places along the way home from wherever...

Peter

Also it allows you to use the light side (VS) one way and BA the other if need be. I'm also a fan of just booking one way as soon as available, and leaving the return to later. Worst case, book W so you coming back when available, and change to J as it will appear at "some* point for the £30 change fee. Not much point in booking the next day as Pater says, as it's £30 wasted, where the W option means you get home on the dates favoured as a "backup".

You're BOUND to be able to get home some way at some time.

Exactly. So you're better off booking the return for the following day - just so you can get your desired outbound when released, then pay the small change fee later down the line with your preferred/only route option home.

Booking 2 x one-way UC reward fares with VS to the US is £931. Booking an UC return then paying to change your return is £662.

I'm also a fan of just booking one way as soon as available, and leaving the return to later. Worst case, book W so you coming back when available, and change to J as it will appear at "some* point for the £30 change fee.

You can't book one way as soon as available and a PE seat for the return - the return flights won't be released until 5 or 6 weeks later.

Aha! - got it! - it's nothing to do with ensuring getting home, but a tax reduction strategy.

Then the only disadvantage is that you need to wait until the day AFTER the outward fares become available, so that you can book the return. You MIGHT miss out on the outward fare you wanted. But in VIrgin land it's unlikey. Wheras on the dark side, you're dead in the water if you haven't booked seats 45 seconds after midnight on the opening day....

Peter

You can reserve the outbound as soon as it becomes available putting it on hold for a couple of days. The following day you are then able to book this as a return coming back the day after. When the return you actually want is available then change the date for £30.

I did this last year without any problem and saved a whole load of fees.

Aha! - got it! - it's nothing to do with ensuring getting home, but a tax reduction strategy.

Peter

It is about tax reduction but also about getting reward Upper seats.
If I wait 5 weeks then reward Uppers on the outbound are likely to have gone.
I know in the past rewards have been released a few weeks after paid seats so hopefully waiting one day shouldn't affect it.
Many thanks for all the comments.
Dick D