I don't really collect the miles for spending, just trying to keep gold to make life a bit nicer at airports. I do agree that economy seems an impossible task to keep status, should make it on segments now.

I should have changed to BA, but my first few trips in january only had KLM as the viable option.

The redemption for flights is better now that it used to be for reward bookings. Travelling UK via AMS meant there were huge fees to be paid, now it's been changed to be a bit more of a viable option (now award booking + cash is about same as easyjet). Pity I spent about 1 million points on sony stuff 4 years ago