Hello - newbie to this forum, but not to CX.

I am stuck dealing with a recurring frustration with CX which is trying to use the accumulated Marco Polo points when I travel with my wife - and in particular, redeeming companion tickets. Usually the process is so frustrating, I end up flying other airlines for business in protest for a few months (which I do not think is the intent of a 'loyalty' programme benefit).

If the tickets were as a simple as book a business class ticket and if there are empty seats, you can book a companion ticket, I would get it... and it would sort of make sense since there is a revenue ticket attached. However, it doesn't seem to work anything like that. When I asked last week about a companion ticket to the UK, I was told there was nothing available on either side of the requested dates for over a week (this is not a Christmas ticket, either - in September)!

Can someone explain if the intent is to annoy their customers or is there some trick to this that I am missing? And on the rare occasions where the companion ticket is available, why does the process require calling the MP Club, then calling a reservation line and then re-calling the MP Club? Do they assume people like listening to Robbie Williams 'real love' as an alternative to living?

Long post - but if someone can explain what I am doing wrong - or works for Cathay and can explain the logic in this, it would be appreciated.