There have been a number of recent changes with very little communication and I can't help wondering whether they are all connected and leading to an overhaul of the programme in the medium term.
I'm also wondering whether this is linked in some way to the increase in airline fees for upgrades for CW-F using GUF from the USA. Perhaps the $200 charge to use my GUFs from here will be standard across the booking process yet with the removal of the need for redemption availability? That would at least give me some value for the extra $200 whereas at the moment it makes little sense on its own.