Not sure the hate.

I have several awards waitlisted and they didn't take points.

They have a really easy to use award calendar.

Their flights aren't easy to find for partners so members presumably have better availability.

The family booking and calling in for partner awards or sure isn't ideal but it might keep away the riff-raff.

Not a perfect rewards program, and to be fair I'm just in it for transfered points from TYP. But certainly more useful and affordable than Cathay!