FT-

I'm stuck on a decision about upcoming holiday travel. For reasons not worth going into, I need to fly one-way right before Christmas from Brazil to the US. Many flights (based on the seat maps) are nearly full and fares are often booking into YBM (including round trips). I've worked every trick I can think of, and the bottom line is I'm looking at paying $1100-$1400 one way in Y for a near-full fare ticket. Round trip in J is running $2800, but there's no way I can book a round trip. For reference, round trips are running $1800.

I'm not a huge earner (either through flying or CCs), but I've amassed about 200k on American.

I've got a flight on hold for 62.5k on American in F. Normally I'd just book it. But earlier this year I burned miles to travel ultra-long haul BA in F and CA in J. Needless to say I saw a difference.

Any advice (hold for a more exciting trip with a partner vs. save $1400 and suck it up in Y) would be appreciated.