Paid business class to everywhere I've looked exceeds the cost saving from buying a cheaper OWE ticket. Paid economy to Europe could end up saving about $1,000, but with a fair amount of extra flying. Business award travel could save about $1,900 at the cost of 90,000 miles, which is not that great a savings.

Good point about more stopovers in the neighborhood (Central America and Alaska, the west coast and the Caribbean). If I wanted the additional stopovers, starting in Europe, etc. could be an attractive option.