I just bought a ticket for a friend to go to her daughter who just had a new baby.
To go NY to ORD - no biggy, but I got a seat on BA. 7,500 avios and $5.60
To go ORD - yehupitz where my friend lives. choices: stopovers for $300+, no BA even with a stop. United has a nonstop for $522. But they had a seat in Saver Award!! 12,500 united and $5.60 !!!
That's what points are for!!