The reason for award availability is to keep the credit card end of the business going. Most people I know who fly economy have just opted for 2% cash back cards and dropped their citi cards as the frustration with them is through the roof. Most people don't want 2 connections and/or 2 hour layovers. When the alliance has a couple of members making awards available, and the others don't (or at least don't without sick YQ), that might be ok for know for those that want to go to Asia, but that availability mismatch isn't sustainable in the long run (as we have seen CX premium award availability for 2 people in the same cabin disappear; won't take long for JAL to follow).