If you're looking at a 25k round trip award then that means you're looking at a coach award; check your same dates for first class redemption rates as sometimes when the coach is on High category, first is actually on Low and therefore it costs fewer miles to get a free first class ticket than a free coach ticket.

US, UA and a couple of other airlines all have these "teaser" sort of redemption rates, where they really hammer on about their "low" rate (like the credit card hawkers in PHX who promise you a free flight after 25k miles, or the FA's) but don't tell you that the 25k rate is only available if you can find it. Anyone who promises you "no blackout dates" be it airline, credit card or hotel, is doing the same thing--- you can get a cheap redemption if you plan ahead and/or get lucky and find a good rate but more likely you're paying the less-promoted, higher rate. Buyer beware, especially with these credit card weenies who don't tell the casual travellers how the process *really* works.