So I had J SYD-MEL-AKL-RAR-AKL-MEL-SYD booked departing today.
Over night VA cancelled VA804 (SYD-MEL) flight, so the system then rebooked me on SYD-AKL, as an alternative, meaning less SC.
I rang VA, which was quite interesting trying to explain to them why I only want to go via MEL. But they said there we no other options due to 6am departure and needing to make the connection in Mel.
In the end I realised l already have enough SC to earn platinum so the extra Sc (50SC/100SC) mean nothing to me.
Silver lining is I now get a 10am departure from SYD (vs 6am) and get to spend time in “The House”, which with my international transfer in MEL would probably not have allowed time for.