If you are finding things a little tight, you ought to live here...Next time you see the specials look to see Hawaii not there... There was an asia specil that was only $50 more to NRT that HNL-NRT (guess the weather has its price) . Miles are good for upgrades and pretty much for Prem Exec sometimes and 1k's I have not been able to use 500 mile ducets as a 1k.
IN hawaii we just use mile for upgrade and let the little 500 miles exsist as an added bonus.