Here's the plan: LHR-SYD Jan 1st 2011.

EY is coming up just over £4k rtn for F, BA around £4.5k for J for same dates. (I'm already in LON for New Year so ex-EU is out).

Never flown EY but looks like a fairly good F service, particularly the suites and the 'cigar lounge'...!? (Although can't seem to find an easy way to confirm if flights have suites or 'old' style seats?)

BA journey will keep gold for another year, although value is undermined a little as I won't be travelling so much in the next year. I really don't know why facing a drop to silver seems such a terrible thing...! (Ah, yes I do, I'm a complete snob about having the status...).

LHR-SYD not on OW somehow feels disloyal, which is I know is ridiculous really (there's the power of loyalty schemes for you), however, I know where I am with BA/QF (seating, where gates/lounges are, who to speak to when things go wrong etc) and that helps a little.

F loads on BA9/10 etc look a little light for Jan 1st too, so being able to bump up with miles to F would make the decision for me, but of course that's not guaranteed.

So, EY F or BA J to SYD, what would you do and why?