As thelostshark pointed out most of the past analysis may not be applicable with new rules of game. For example, previously AA awards even in coach allowed changes to dates and times freely. Now, you can only change dates/times of Biz/First awards and have to pay a fee for coach award changes.

However, the core principles do still apply (for example - consider the class of travel, the miles you would get if you paid for the ticket, the fare basis/restrictions of the purchase vs. award tickets, etc.)