If I was CLPO I’d expect the entire crew to form a guard of honour from the door to my seat throwing rose petals with heads bowed. Luckily I’m not CLPO :-p
Assuming you’re in economy - Silver on Skywards gets access to the EK lounges in dubai but no more. Silver Qantas gets you nothing anywhere unless you’re also Qantas Club which gives you access in Oz and Dubai. Are you a QF Club member? If so, it won’t get you into the EK lounge in Milan. Anyone...
Happens all the time. At lounges and Priority boarding too. Recently at the LH lounge in Frankfurt an Egyptair FF was sure his Goldcard dated 2016 was still valid despite computer saying otherwise.
It’s sad to see and I hope I never get to the point of doing it myself.
If I intend to sleep then 3 seats beats the exit seat. Ideal would be 3 seats on an A320 or 737 emergency exit where the armrests are not fixed and there is extra legroom. But they don’t often operate long haul sadly.