There is some logic to using awards only for international first or business class travel.

However, those fares are so high and beyond the reach of many people that it skews the comparison. They may charge $10,000 but would you ever buy such a seat?

Since I would not pay $10,000, I arbitrarily assign the value of the seat as between 1.5 and 2 times the price of a coach seat. With this factored in, the best use of a domestic and int'l coach award is roughly the same. An Australian business class award also qualifies. A transatlantic business class award often does not meet my criteria.

So do what you think is best. I wouldn't redeem a domestic or North American award unless the ticket was more than $425.