I've been lurking this thread as a first-time Gold. I don't think I will me making it to Elite or retaining Gold and I am not troubled by that.

It doesn't seem like there is much benefit and I have kind of known this since May 2023 when I became Gold. In effect I have been reading this thread as 'what happens after Gold'.

I don't travel that much to use the benefits. The only benefit I am using as Gold is the non-household giftee to my sister and her husband. I might get some benefit with extra luggage allowance.

I am not into upgrades - if I need certain benefits I will just pay for it. As for lounges, I've long known that these (not limited to NZ) can often be as busy as the terminal, unless the lounger is for top exclusive tiers. The times I've use an NZ lounge (and I've have many unused/expired vouchers from my ANZ CC), I've used it like a dine-in at fast food restaurant - there was no lounging because I didn't find it an relaxing environment.

I am pondering if I can be bothered with chasing status with anyone now. I'm overcapped on my non-metal SP and I don't know what is happening with the overflow. I'm flying SQ before my anniversary and I really don't know where to credit the SP (which will again be overcapped if credited to NZ). I get tired thinking about it. It's just easier to outright buy business or first class and get the benefits that follow.

I'll still keep my ANZ CC to accrue Airpoints. That can be handy and while people say the deals on Airpoints Store are bad, it's still handy if I don't want to burn off real money.