Haven't been that close to AAwards recently -- so when there DOES happen to be T/U inventory, how does AA price AAdvantage awards? Is it still variable pricing? Or is one better off booking via a partner program in this type of instance?

I have to say, generally, I like the variable pricing that I think DL led with - so there's ALWAYS an oppportunity to redeem miles for flights and you don't have to find that unicorn, and while most awards cost more in miles now, they're still generally less than "AAnytime" awards used to be. There's something to be said for having the value of a mile be relatively fixed in a narrow band. While there are opportunities to get more bang for the buck on partners, now I don't have to just sit on boatloads of miles because I can't find saver availability. Being able to earn toward elite qualification (at least on DL/UA, not sure about AA?) also encourages me to redeem (and has arguably increased the value per mile--however intangibly--from when before this was the case).