HI guv, yes, I actually did know that AA service is available from ABE, but thanks for the reminder. AVP is the closest to us at just about an hour away and MDT is about 90 minutes away. ABE is 95-100 minutes away, but would certainly be worth at least looking into to compare the flight details. We have not had many award flights on USAir so no, I didn't know that their award flights were roundtrip only but I should have. I will check into a late afternoon, AA award flight from PA (MDT/AVP/ABE) to LAX and see what the connection rules are for continuing on to HI. One good thing is that I always plan WAY ahead; I am planning for late Feb. or March, 2012, so I usually get my desired award tickets. And, another thing is there is one evening flight direct from LAX to LIH with AA that does not incur an additional inter-island flight/expense. Only problem with this routing (PA to LAX, overnighting, waiting for an even flight to LIH) is that although we get to sleep in and rest, the entire itinerary seems to take FOREVER, so we only did this once! Regarding your comment about luggage on an earlier post when I said I was considering a MDT(AVP)-PHX-LIH-PHX-MDT routing and throwing away the final return segment from PHX-MDT in favor of a purchased return, PHX-MDT several days later - we almost always travel with carry ons only so our baggage wouldn't be a problem (being sent on without us). Can you still be "penalized" in any way for throwing away the last segment of a flight itinerary? Thanks!