David - you hit the nail on the head. A quick phone call sorted that out. Quantas Gold/Plat are welcome in the Gold Circle lounge, but not bought club members.

Hagbard - S is one of the common internet economy fares. Still R, X and N haven't appeared on the blacklist yet. I agree with your sentiment that eventually these fares will be blocked too.

My feeling is that CX asia miles may be the way to go; I use this card to gather miles from BA, where only Y, B, W and T will earn on a TAB card. Barely better on a BA Exec Club card. CX seems to be the most inflation proof of the cards over the years.