I can back up bryanjones. Recently booking the family to Europe for the Easter holidays next year we could book 3 seats QF Classic Awards Seats from SYD via PER to DXB in J. Good luck trying to go direct to DXB out of SYD or MEL on QF....
Having just completed SYD-LHR in QF J & F on the A380 it is hard to fault.
Return leg was Cathay in J FCO-HKG-SYD. First leg was the old coffin style but HKG-SYD in the new J with wife. Amazing new seats which can move forward for conversation with companion and back for privacy and sleeping...
The other great way to rack up SC's is a Business Any Seat Reward fare between SYD & TSV (via BNE). If you take the minimum points option (48K) with cash ($211.59) you are well on your way to climbing the SC rungs!