I have abandoned CX a long time ago (was 15 years CX DM) since other airlines hardware have caught up. Recently I purchased CX J from Shanghai to Hong Kong and was very surprised that most passengers are Taiwanese and from their conversations their final destination is Taiwan (via HK). I know before the direct flights this is golden goose for CX, but just out of curiosity are many people still doing it to maintain status or simply love CX that much?

This made me think about returning to CX for the following reasons: 1) Chinese airlines miles expired after one year. They force you to use it on a yearly basis. I like to save them for family travel redemptions where I can fly my whole family with me in J class, but by making it annual, it's impossible for I have a big family. 2) As for redeeming points, forget it, most of the times the dates are blacked out or no availability. 3) Chinese airlines hard J products are either broken or have some flaws to them that makes resting hard and happens often enough to make any trip a very unenjoyable experience. 4) I'm shock the same can be said of Taiwanese airlines (granted Eva J product is magnificent, but good luck trying to reach anybody if you're not EVA Diamond and their points are mostly useless). Since abandoning CX I have mixed my travels around: United, EVA, China airlines, China Eastern, Xiamen Airlines, and American Airlines. All mid-tier with each airline, but I'm actually considering consolidating and returning to CX.

But before I do, I wanted to ask you all, is CX still as good as I remember them? Good redemption, good customer service, good hardware (if they do upgrade in timely matter), and good all-around onboard experience? (My trip from Shanghai to Hong Kong has great service from the FA but the ISM has an attitude and would simply invade my space without permission nor apology).