I'm contemplating making a jump from CO to AS, as I have redeemed several awards in recent years to go to AK, which I love, and CO has been alienating its frequent flyers of late. (I'm also moving back to the US in 2010.)

A huge plus for me would be to know that Mileage Plan redemption really works on PenAir and Era flights. Is this the case? Is it reasonably easy to redeem standard coach rewards from the Lower 48 to PenAir and Era destinations in AK? Or is it difficult and over-capacity-controlled?

I would appreciate more info. Thanks!