Originally Posted by spideysense

LH and LX block J until T-14 (more like T-3 based on my experience), which is bloody inconvenient for all but the most flexible/masochistic travellers.

SQ J is next to impossible unless it's a short flight you're looking for.

I only joined AP a few years ago. Since that time, let's recap the enhancements:

1) Huge fuel surcharges on AC and LH.
2) Point devaluation.
3) Elimination of LX F.
4) LH J/F and LX J available only T-x.
5) Less availability of TK J (I swear, it was always wiiiiiiide open to/from YYZ before).

Instead of just whining about it though, I've shifted the majority of my 6 figure monthly CC spend to my AX SPG card, which I'm going to use to transfer to airlines such as JAL to redeem EK F. I've also started buying AA miles when they have promos because I can use them for CX J and F. Just got a CX J ticket YYZ-HKG RT and it was so sweet to pay next to nothing in taxes and "fuel surcharges".

I'm still sitting on over a million AP miles though, will probably redeem them for TG F, which I find the best value in the entire program right now.