I have about 175k amex points and looking to book flights for a family lax->tokyo (either airport) during low season (month of september). I know it's not possible to fly all of us on points, but value per person is the primary objective trying to get as many of us (5) to tokyo as possible with those points. I can't seem to find anything less than 100k amex points (even with partner transfer) pp and less than $100 surcharge and fees. ANA has 50k r/t pp but their fees on top are more than the cash price to purchase elsewhere. Anything with fees less than $100 pp is over 100k points. I was advised by someone at ANA that this is the new normal because surging fuel and energy costs. Partner carriers such as Aero Canada don't have high surcharge but they will cost more than 100k points. I've used pointdotme also and it comes up short on finding anything reasonable. If I spend $100k+ amex points it's not a great value because I can purchase r/t flights during that month in cash for less than $700 pp therefore I can use amex points for Home Depot gift cards would be more value than that.

Would appreciate advice if my assessment is correct or if there are other ways to achieve what I'm looking for. My travels don't have to be in Sept but afaictl that's the lowest cost month.