Fascinating this came up. I was recently trying to book a trip ICN-MCO home to see the family on award travel (60,000 for economy RT) but instead of giving me ICN-DTW-MCO, I got routed ICN-CDG-ATL-MCO for 150,000 + a day and a half of travel. Really, all I know how to say to that is ...?
Instead, I am saving the miles and flying my mother over here this summer, I think. Paid cash on a real cheap fare to MCO. Would be nice to use the miles to upgrade, but the cheap fare is T, so I don't think it's possible.
Seriously, why all the RTW travel for an award flight? Probably one of the dumbest systems I've seen.