Originally Posted by
hodi
Thanks for posting, was just wondering about this when I hit a banked year today, think I'll save my trips for next year to try retain! Really pisses me off the next 3 months of SP are about as useful as Anne Frank's drum kit. Spend should be spend
Last year mostly because I wasn't thinking about it and it was a novelty for me (travelling SO much) I think I amassed 5k SPs but it was really a waste of time. This year, after I requalled for Elite after 5 weeks of my renewal, I am try to only charge domestics to NZ to trickle up to banked year. For long haul Qantas and One World (and China southern though that may become Oneworld which is the rumour).
Basically because:
1 terrible loyalty programme and no recognition for top tier flyers (still nickel and diming on phone charges, often middle seats on domestic flights, standing room only lounge-zoos etc.)
2. The cramped coffin like seats on the China flights (dreamliner) and if I want to pay full price CX/QF J is way way way better (and F lounges in Hong Kong and Sydney)
3. China Southern business class 50%-70% of the price and flies direct from Christchurch if I want to save money