I can't claim to peek into the actual economics and working agreement between Air Canada and Aeroplan, but the logic of supply/demand and "customer value" is certainly in place.

We can indeed obtain seats from YYZ-RDU for 15,000 points even if we are just regular members, if we plan ahead and accept the capacity control restrictions. (I quite often bring a contractor to YOW from RDU on points, and have never paid more than 15,000). Now, superelites obviously escape these regulations, but Air Canada can justify subsidizing them, if necessary, through Aeroplan because of their overall value to the business. They are indeed worthy of "loyalty" according to the original concept of the program, which was loyalty, and not points marketing for third-party services.

As well, of course, as consumers we can be smart with our points purchases and usage. For some reason Star Alliance offered an international "points sale" on business class tickets around Christmas time. I snared one of these 100,000 point goodies for a run YOW-IST-VFA (Zimbabwe), nine segments, $12,000 cash cost value) all in the big seats in the front. I accommodated my wife with a points broker who I know through my network, who got her on appropriate flights to Turkey and returning from Italy (she didn't want to join me on the African leg) for about the price of a regular discounted economy class ticket.

As for the trip to RDU, I'd simply pay cash, or maybe check other airlines. US Airways and others often offer cheap fares, especially if you are ready to fly from Buffalo.