Thank you for all the info. I am currently planning a trip across the Americas but will need to pay for one leg and use miles for the rest. While I realise a one way will not be half of a return ticket, I have seen numerous one way tickets for both AC and Delta for around 300 dollars, while Cathay is consistently around 900 dollars for economy. Just wondered if this price ever come down.

While not adverse to flying via somewhere on this trip i am very keen to fly direct.