I would agree that most here are not typical. I never have redeemed mileage for any ticket where my return was less than 2.5 cents/mile (including the miles lost on the paid ticket, the lost online booking bonus, and the CC miles lost from not paying for the paid ticket). I use primarily on some very expensive flights where the return is beyond 60 days and on international oneworld awards in J (including some expensive one-ways). I often exceed 5 cents/mile.

I tend to plan ahead and have some flexibility in my travel plans. I have never had any difficulty getting award travel within a day or two of my preferred dates. Normally, I get not only my preferred dates but my preferred flights. AA's award availability is why I fly AA (bet Arpey doesn't know that).