I don't have an airlines card but rather a card issued by a Bank. I'm not sure if I follow what you're trying to say "If you can get a ticket for around $1000, I wouldn't buy it.  But what happens to the price if you have to travel at peak season? from a regional or smaller airport?"

I mean, I looked up tickets on the rewards program website and I was quoted $1029 from my nearest airport. I could've used my available points, 56k (remember, I'd only receive 560 bucks if I were to redeem it for cash) and pay additional 300 bucks for the tickets.