Originally Posted by pgary
If you compare apples to apples, I think the average domestic ticket price with the same restrictions as a frequent flyer miles award is about $200 - $230. If you are paying more, you are getting more flexibility and/or a last minute ticket.
One thing to consider is that tickets to Canada take the same amount of miles as domestic tickets, but they usually cost more. For example, I fly regularly from San Francisco to Montreal. Restricted tickets are usually around $350. Often they are over $400. Once in a while there will be a sale and they'll be under $300.
So I often use my FF miles for this trip. It almost always gives me more value per mile than any other "domestic" award.
Ed