Suggestion
From my experience, seats on Continental may be released as early as 335 days out! So I advise checking online daily from that point at as well as calling. Reserve & hold your outbound flight with any available return flight and then rebook as the flight you want becomes available.
Caveat: there will be a $150 charge to change OnePass ff tickets after 8/17!
Because plans for our upcoming trip were not firm until later than the recommended booking time of 330ish days out, I was doubtful that I would be able to procure the lowest level award on Continental. However, I lucked out and got 1st Class outbound on a partner airline and Economy homebound for the exact dates I needed at only 70,000 miles total! DH & a friend also booked at that level. I did this online for us and friend called in and got same when she didn't see online what we had booked.