Dont know your situation but if I am to redeem CO awards from EWR to whatever International locations, the portion of FLL or MIA to EWR is part of the award. There is no need to pay to get to EWR. I prefer mainline over CRJs.

Plenty of folks would fly indirect routes to their desired destinations on award tickets due to availability. Some folks actually deliberately seek for indirect routing such as SFO-JFK-HKG on CX F or J - the routing is allowed by AA because CX has published fare of such routing. It would be crazy in your mind but some folks like it because the routing maximizes the CX F experience they go after.

Personally I do not mind going out of the way through a hub to an international destination as long as I am flying business or first class. The more comfortable seats and the lounge access help to lessen the inconvenience of longer travel. More importantly it opens up a lot more options in finding award seats.