your 70k points + $600/pax is equivalent to $1300

so $600 fees is 46% of the points + cash you paid

you could've cashed out 70k points as $700, therefore the 70k points becomes cash in the math

OK, so you've calculated I've saved $2200/pax. Fine.

For the record, I already took that into account. My goal with these flights was to save cash, because at the moment, cash flow is the issue I'm solving for. At other times, I have other priorities.

I can't believe I have to say this, but... YMMV, I guess.