Got our R/T tickets for 2020

Using United air miles, we got our direct flight from Chicago abot 2 months o about 2 weeks ago. We just got our direct flight back to Chicago for Feb 8th. The return tickets normally become available about 10 months before flight. We always buy the leg that is 17.5k ea first then wait till the next leg goes on sale. For our trip down this year, the return went on sale first and was about 2 months later before being able to get the flight down. They always have 40k ea available- here both fly for 35k if you monitor the flights.Sure beats flying through Houston. Different times we got to the gate to Chicago and the flight was loading and you don't have put anything in your luggage for the flight to Chicago because of going through security.
9 months can't come soon enough.