I wouldn't recommend ChinaShark's strategy of trading for cheaper tix, even with the company's OK, someday this will hit the fan as being wrong. A few years back professional baseball umpires in the US were found guilty of doing the same thing. I took my wife with me two weeks ago on a business trip to GIG (Rio). Once you spoil your wife with Business Class overseas, there is no turning back to coach! For this AA trip, I used VIPOW for me, ff award business class for her, but in the past have used AA FC miles award, US companion upgrade cert to Europe (paid coach) and DL miles award for her. My heavy use of award mileage for her is primarily influenced by her infrequent flying and no doubling mileage earning ability.