AI flights ex USA to India look good price wise especially when you multiply for a family.

How is the AI Flying Returns program? Some questions I have are:

1. Can you actually use/redeem the miles for award travel on an international route? If yes, how hard is it to get award seats? Do they open up some x amount of time before the date of travel? I am used to redeeming on AA Advantage (which is better than than most US programs).

2. I saw husband and wife can pool miles together. What about kids?

3. Do miles expire every 3 years or you just need to have activity to keep the miles active?

4. Is it true AI has 1 way awards?

I know Lufthansa Miles and More is a better place to collect them but if you fly a discount economy fare you only get 0.5 miles on the LH program.

Anything else or real hand experience using the AI Flying Returns program.

I am very apprehensive as I already know about the AI reputation (and have been on AI/IC in the past before).