Northwest to Asia lately has been just awful. Seems like they're holding back on lots of seats until 3-4 weeks out, and you've got demand now from DL flyers as well as CO and NW.

I've found CO to be not totally impossible with CO miles on their own system to Asia and within the 48 US at standard coach, but I'd still rate it toward the back of the pack. As in 2002, CO seems to be in a cartel mentality, wanting to limit supply so that fares will rise. Besides being an invitation for LCCs to gain market share, it has pinched award travel hard.

I'm having much better luck with UA than with NW, and I like the Star Alliance even though non-UA SA awards still have lots of restrictions.

As for EasyPass, RuleBuster or that stuff, it's like a gas station saying they're sold out of unleaded at $1.50 but have some at $3. People would decide it's time to change gas stations.