They didn't mention WHY they wanted QF - if it was SC or miles oriented, travelling with others on the same flight, then posts could have been constructed accordingly.

If it was for other reasons (perceived safety, customer service benefits, perceived connection advantages, etc) then different posts would have ensued.

FT is, after all, about helping others to travel in the best way possible, and every time I have seen a post that says "I got a flight for $XXX" with a response that "You could have got it $1K cheaper" is welcomes by me, and a lot of others.

If the OP had stated, at the outset, that they NEEDED to fly QF (as opposed to WANTING to fly QF) different outcomes would have ensued.

Dave