I personally am very disorganised and my plans change a lot. I forever seem to get depressed and annoyed with redeeming points. They do not work for people like me. The amount of surcharges and extra points that are always charged left right and centre always ensure I end up being worse off in the end. An example:
My last return fare from Devonport to Canberra with my wife: 16000 points each and about $150 each for taxes...
Only flights available were from Launceston for the dates I needed, one hours drive from home, and that was only with the Gold privileges that they could get me that redemption flight, an added 5000 for phone booking... The day before the flight Devonport seats become available. A changing fee of 5000 points applies. We get to Canberra, and wife gets sick and we need to go home a day or two earlier... no flights are available, I need to pay for a new one way ticket home, $250 or so. One day I can try to use the unused part of that trip... unlikely.
For me this is normal, nothing goes as planned for me, ever. I also make silly mistakes sometimes, which because of the restricted nature of these benefits costs points and money.
So yes, these taxes and other charges REALLY add up when you make mistakes, and it drive me nuts. Those surharges do not seem to be refundable. You try getting your airport taxes back just because you did not take the flight... Or just because I had to buy a whole new ticket home from the USA once do you think you even get the points for that flight you could not take? Forget it! Some sectors you get no points because of certain conditions... it all really gets my goat. Or you get charged additional luggage because the partner airlines (like AA) which are part of your Qantas ticket have different extra luggage privileges despite what Qantas allowed you on with. You check before your flight with Qantas and they assure you all is OK, yes your bike is free, yes Sir, you can take that extra piece of luggage the whole way...
I will spare you my other sop stories, but I have dozens related to frequent flier redemption flights! They include Virgin and United too. I am dutch jewish, so I continually keep on chasing my free lunches by nature, and (like Homer Simpson) seem to be bashing my head against a brick wall continuously. When will I stop??? I certainly am not loyal with any airline.
My next trip to USA/Europe in August is with United just to get away from OneWorld annoyances for one trip.
Sorry about my rant.
Walter----
Qantas Gold and Amex Plat (for the travel insurance benefits mostly).