When flying on miles, I'm flying with the family of five (paid for me typically, and award for four others).

Over the years, I have changed dozens of award flights. Partially as a booking strategy as saver seats open up, partially because plans change, and partially as a, "hey, let's do a getaway in a couple of weeks" before working out the logistics of whether such a getaway is possible.

All of those things now change, and with four award seats, the penalties become insane.