Suppose you want to take an award flt from ABC to XYZ, both of which are in your FFP's zone A. Your chosen alliance flies to both airports, but not directly. You can fly ABC-XYZ via DEF, which is in a different zone. Will it cost you the "price" of a standard zone A ticket or the higher one of going into a different zone?
To be exact, I am an OK+ member wanting to do a NRT-CAN, and it seems I can only do it on AF via CDG, at least until NW join Skyteam and offer intra-Asia awards. But I'd like to hear relevant experiences with other airlines/alliances. And, before you ask, I don't fancy flying KE to HKG.