I don't think it's really a fair comparison to use a full-fare J ticket as a reference point, since most of us would never actually buy one of those tickets as a substitute for an AE reward ticket. I think discounted business is a much more fair comparison, and once you add scamcharges the comparison isn't always so favourable.

It's like buying a mattress from a store where they are at least "50% off" - if you bought at 50% off you didn't really get a deal at all, because the mattress isn't really worth regular price and you shouldn't value it at that level. If you are booking an AE reward a year in advance, you need to use an equivalent cash fare as a comparison point.

Having to book AE rewards up to a year in advance is also a huge detriment relative to cash J tickets.

Personally, I churn AE and BMO cards and have Aspire World for everyday spending. The latter is great for covering sale economy fares or other expenses not bookable through the BMO card such as Priceline or Airbnb.