It used to be that collecting points was difficult and redeeming them was easy.
That has been completely reversed - as having the points gives the impression that they can be redeemed when you need them.
Then you find that the dates you want to travel are already 'full' or some other restriction. So you use some, or you say 'Use them for the next trip'.
Then they expire.
The problem I have found for the last few years is that, normally, it is only possible to set up a trip about 7-9 months in advance. This is after checking with your partner and their holiday times at their work, the people you are going to visit, when is 'high season' or a particular event you want to see. BUT, there is one category of people who KNOW what they will be doing in a year's time: Grandparents! As soon as the 364 day horizon comes up, they are ready to pounce on the seats to Australia or South Africa and, by the time I want to book??? Zero.