Originally Posted by 84fiero

- From your home airport choices of CVG, DAY or CMH, I gather you're from my neck of the woods (DAY). I'd consider looking at departing and/or arriving to ORD as you search for availability.

Not sure how far you are from any of those airports, but by the time you drive, park, check bags, security, probably some small delay, flight time...it's about the same amount of time as driving to ORD (5 hours from where I live). And most of the connecting flights are regional jets which increases the odds of delays and cancelations.

After getting burned by that a few times, we've often opted to drive. It's even easy enough to drive up after school on a Friday and get a hotel by the airport, fly out Sat morning. And you're more likely to find a non-stop or at most, one-stop, from ORD.

The other aspect is that often I find that the award availability is tight on the connecting flight (due to so few seats to begin with) but better once you get to the hub.

- You can use BA Avios for getting to JFK for the HA flight, 4500 Avios from CMH, if the cost is an issue.

- First class services to/from HI really leave a lot to be desired, frankly I don't feel it's worth the extra cash or miles.

- I gather you're only looking at HNL as your final destination? The other islands would give you more options, albeit without as many non-stops from some airports of course. And I know everyone has their opinions, but Oahu is my least favorite (not to say it's bad per se). In any case, though, any of the other islands will be good.

- With award redemptions, and especially multiple people, the more flexible, the better. If your dates are fixed, and particularly over a holiday week, there will likely be some tradeoffs involved.