guess what, my next long-haul flight in 2-3 weeks' time will be on LH to Europe...business class fare some 30-40% lower than CX (helping save my company's $ although I don't really have to, but just don't feel like spending so much on CX really when there's much cheaper and also good alternatives available), and I'm going to upgrade both ways to F with UA SWU's (hopefully not a problem because it's same-day standby, usually it's ok)...overall cost much much lower than buying roundtrip CX F, or buying roundtrip CX J + 85k Asia Miles to upgrade. and I get 225% miles for J + being elite (instead of "just" 125% with CX), plus another 7k or 10k miles for making 2 roundtrips in these few months - a small promotion but nice.

with the "enhanced" long-haul J (which personally I really hate - again, I know it's a really personal preference and many other people like it esp usually many female colleagues of mine who are smaller and like privacy), and a not-so-interesting FFP...I really would use CX/KA for mostly short-haul travel going forward...my frequent KA roundtrips would let me qualify for DM easily every year anyway (and I don't really have a choice in this so I don't mind). and as long as I keep DM this way, I can still find very good use for the many credit card miles I have, e.g. long-haul CX F awards should come somewhat easily...