Yesterday, I just booked a one-way F Award on LH to YVR from ZRH. Wow - I've never felt so good that it was a good idea. As well - I've blown through so many miles in the past year - it now feels even better.
The award that probably will hit me the most is the Intra-Europe 1 J award going to 45 from 30K. It's been 30K for as long as I can remember. It's not that we searched for it but often J award space was easier to find than Y and the points difference was not so much. Now we won't do the J-Awards any more.
Last year I think I redeemed 500K!!!
As for the Trans-Atlantic increases - we never book on points because we use those flights paid to keep our status . . .