@SOPOOR
To answer your second question, yes I can call up QF and request seats to be released, however it is on QF only not other OW carriers or QF partners. This is available to all WP or higher. Like others I do not like paying QF taxes so CX was always a good option until the rewards dried up, QF is used when I cannot get on the likes of CX, JL, QR, EK etc.
I tried getting a seat released on a 20min flight and was told no.
It seemed like it had a good load on board but was surprised. Ticket was a bit pricey.
I'm intrigued by the topic as I have been thinking how many points is too many and I think I'm at that stage where I'm looking hard at what I have and also rethinking loyalty.
Have >400k QF but only redeemed ~ 16.5k points/yr over 4yrs. Used for 2 upgrades transcon before deciding it wasn't worth it and one 'free flight' which I thought was good value on EK for partner.
Hoping to use them when we next decide to go to the UK or US together, but we're also going to the US but +1 work only allows Y and I have a trip planned already to the UK but no dates were available. I find it hard to plan 11-12mo out. Was planning another trip but someone decided to get married and taking time off for that etc. Am glad we hadn't booked anything.
I've used VA points more and generally on economy in Asia short haul or to reduce cost of Scootbiz or transfer to SQ. I justified it by saying it brought down the overall cost of the trip and still had more VA points left. Have 60k left.
NZ APD have 4.5k They seem easy to accrue with cc but still don't use that many. It's 1600 to for SQ J bookable online (glitch last few times I looked and not showing).
AMEX have 303k to transfer to SQ. Possibly a top up to VA or QF if needed.
Bought a lot of AA points and used some for QF F redemption. I think redemptions on QF from Auckland - Perth and Asia - NZ will be the best use along with NZ - Europe. Used Rocketmiles for a 1 night hotel stay at a city with no chain hotels so easy to keep AA alive. Have 238k left. The flexibility for their use is appealing but no plans to use them this year but things can change!
Currently buying Lifemiles really for redemption on star alliance and NZ J return legs when those pop up but doing it via club miles. 49k so far. Need 80/85k to cover flight to US. NZs partner award chart is ok if you get nonstop flights but if you want to fly through then LM might be better.
Have SQ 48k and 62k in individual accounts ready to go. I know will use those within 3yrs.
Bought AS for CX HKG-AKL. But availability
. It's a day flight up and want to try economy and PE but happy to pay for those. Red eye back so wanted J but apparently availability better in summer departing AKL with double daily flights rather than the return leg. I think good value with the intra-Asia trick but not sure how likely we are to use that. So I regret buying this currency. I'd rather stick with AA as more flexible despite AS having good value on this route. Availability in Feb was good flying to EU but that's winter! Anyway easy to keep alive with Rocketmiles also every 24mo I think. Only 32k.
My main issue is we don't tend to do a lot of personal long haul flying so I just accrue with work. I think I have reached the point where at least I know AS was one too many programmes to join.
Also finding cash deals has never been better with google flights. I have played around to the point of making a list of departure and arrival cities for NZ/Oz to Asia/EU and Asia - EU. Which is reasonably quick to run through compared to undertaking some searches. It takes away the hassles of taxes and availability, although sometimes introduces the hassle of flying an extra leg to get to a more remote position (thanks QR!)
But I find this downside more tolerable. No devaluations to think about. I figure there has to be an airline with a sale on or a city somewhere in Asia where the flight loads aren't great on my dates. I just need to find it!
The whole status thing I've been pondering. Might be better to just fly what I want, be happy, then possibly unhappy doing a status run but it's only one trip and depends what I can create. Sort of beats being unhappy on multiple other flights during the year.
