Be careful with discount award flights.

I used AA's award on their metal which, aside from having status, thus an exit row at the front of coach, for even more leg room, sucked - there was no overnight kit, no limitless snacks in the galley and the soap in the washroom has, like, acid in it causing me a days of major hand soreness and peeling, and almost a month's worth, by now, of eye redness.

Anyway, I used their 35,000 mi award, instead of the regular coach 40,000 award and suddenly I wasn't allowed the same stopovers (domestic and international) a mere 5,000 more miles would have got me. Make sure you check all the comparable restrictions before you think you are getting such a great deal.

Also, coming back through ORD sucks. The distance from the international arrivals area and your domestic connection is very long involving a bus ride, the longest walk I've ever encountered and having to go through security again!