So I wish to redeem my miles and leave OK Plus. I've got 240k which is just enough for the family and I (3 people) to go in business class to North America/Hawaii.

OK Plus makes me pay fuel surcharges on all flights and thus redeeming on AF/KL the taxes & fees per ticket will be about €600/person. However, if I redeem on KE the taxes & fees are only about €200/person. That is a total saving of €1200 which means a lot for our budget. Thus we decided on going to HNL which is the only destination we can afford to fly on KE-flights.

Now speaking with OK Plus I find out that they will not let me travel on KE although the rules specify that travel via Pacific is permitted. Why? Because this is not the most direct routing. I have to find availability with KL/DL HEL-AMS-LAX-HNL which is €1200 more expensive AND impossible as DL hardly ever releases 3 award seats in business on that route. If there is no availability on my preferred dates they will not allow any other routing. Czech Airlines will not let me travel HEL-CDG-ICN-HNL as it is not the most direct routing, then I would have to buy a separate ticket to CDG first they say.

Gah, I am so angry with this program. I've hardly redeemed with them before so never came across this stupid rule in all my years as a gold member. And here I've been recommending this program in the past, I'll make sure to stay as far as away as I can in the future.

Did anyone ever have any success with redeeming something OK Plus didn't think was the most direct route?