I have a booked itinerary for travel this weekend on Air China to Beijing and from there connecting to Singapore Airlines through Singapore to Christchurch, New Zealand.

Just checked availability on aa.com for the same destination and put an award on hold for travel on Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong and connecting in Sydney to Qantas to get to New Zealand.

Now, both awards are for travel in Business but if I go with OW carriers CX and QF, I get to spend 60,000 miles as opposed to sticking with *A and CA and SQ and the 75,000 miles required. The fees are pretty much identical, so given all of that I'd like to go ahead and travel on CX and QF and save myself some miles but since I never have, I need your advice.

I've heard great things about SQ but never flown. CX is very good based on what I read and QF apparently not what it used to be. I'd like to hear from people that have flown them and share their experiences. I went with Business because it's a 2-day journey from Europe to New Zealand and I want to be in a lie-flat seat.

Thanks to all who respond!