Originally Posted by
SFO777
I don't necessarily agree that it is becoming more difficult to redeem F seats. It's just that the rules have changed and one needs to be flexible. Yes, LX is gone but LH is still available if you don't mind waiting until T-14 to change your UA to LH. I just booked JFK-NRT in NH First on UA.com. EK First is now available thru AS. SQ First and SQ Suites are now available using KF miles with an Amex/SPG transfers... recently book 4 Suites tickets. On OW, CX First is routinely available using BA/AA, and BA First is available if you book well in advance.
So... one entire carrier is gone. But it's not more difficult to book F?
The carrier that left is the one that has no scamcharges. But it's not more difficult (costly) to book F?
LH is available if you want to book UA and then institute a switch. But it's not more difficult to book F?
So... by definition there, you pointed out three ways in which F availability is going downward but you maintain that F booking is not more difficult? It sounds like cheerleading to me.
As for oneworld/KF/BA etc., I don't see the point of talking about them on an Aeroplan forum. I'll talk about those in those forums, if I had any of their points. Which I don't. And I don't have enough SPG points to make a difference with any of them. Nor do most people posting in the Aeroplan forum.