A few more details.

First, even though I understand yield management, the loads on the flights at the present time are incredibly low. I respect the right of a company to make a rational commercial deal with its customers (more than many people on this board). However, having made the decision to give AA over 1 million paid flight miles (2.7 million points), I made that decision because their award availability, historically, was better than some others. In fact, it has been just about perfect, in my experience.

Second, I guess we all change. There was a time when I wouldn't have considered using miles instead of buying a $350 ticket (the earlier comment about $270 was right, but I want to get on certain flights, and that cost a little more).

Third, I considered all sorts of options, like ticketing alternative flights and then standing by for the one we want. But, even before posting the original message, I just purchased 4 tickets. Maybe FC to NRT is a better usage for my miles.