Thought I'd throw this one out for the people here who fly a lot ...
I've got years and years of flyer miles saved up with Singapore Airlines which I've never used; it's probably enough points to fly around the world 8-9 times but the reason I never used them is that I've never been able to find a flight that cost less in taxes to use miles to pay for the flight than it does to just buy the ticket outright.
I've had a deal with Qantas for the past season and haven't flown SQ but now I'm switching back and wondering what to do with all these miles ... ?
Is this the same for every airline??? Is it actually possible to use miles to fly anywhere? i'm confused...
I am a memeber of Uniteds Milage Plus.
Funny thing is though, I don't fly with united except when using points.
I usually fly everyehere with Singapore Air, but as both are part of Star Alliance, I get all my miles credited to my United plan.
So far I have flown return to NYC via San Fran, and return to Fiji (business class) - have to book about 4-6months ahead. I have also used excess miles about to expire to buy some electronics and cameras.
Flights to NZ seem pretty easy to get through United too.
My work colleagues often bitch about not being able to get flights on Singapore.
Good Luck!
I've been a Qantas frequent flyer member for years, I just have NEVER been able to use my miles to buy a ticket.... Dates not available...
And for some reason If I want to fly from New cal to Brizzie, the only flight offered transits in sydney (which doubles the cost....) instead of the direct flight. Hopeless program...
So I gave up and started using my points to buy extra luggage allowance. 
I use my qantas points in the qantas store. You can buy all sorts of stuff up to high end laptops tvs etc
ahhhhhhhh ok, seems I'm not the only one then.
Maybe I should just use all these miles to pay for upgrades :-)))
I used some of my Qantas frequent flier points from FIFO'ing to Wodgina, for three flights to Kalgoorlie a couple of years ago 
as the Sandwichmaker wanted to see where I was working [sunrise dam]
bonus was they even let me take a heap of sails as luggage at no extra cost
yep.......we really lead a "Hollywood" lifestyle
stephen
