I pumped in over 50,000 CX flight miles into MPC, flying I don't know how many segments in Dec. and Jan. The MPC account balance, naturally, grew only by 50,000 miles. (I could have gotten at least double the miles had I put them into my AA account.)

Thereafter, I credited just one CX long-haul (AKL-HKG) and could get easily over 11,352 miles (including bonus miles).

I felt a bit like stupid. But to me, the guaranteed seat feature is important. I guess it is a 'sacrifice' that I had to make.