ChaseTheMiles:

I've been searching for the answers to your questions too without luck. One thing is said in the rules: economy travel.

It seems that they have some kind of portable way to pay for air travel. You see them booking on the phone and at travel agencies. I'll bet the show gives them credit cards which are only good for airline travel.

Last night cha-cha-cha were in business class HKG-SIN, but everyone else has always appeared in coach. Their connection SIN-SYD was in coach. I think they got upgraded on the SIN leg.

If you're allowed to use FF status to get ahead, it would seem unfair and thus likely against the rules.

Think of the value of an Executive Platinum card when vying with competitors for standby! Or more simply, the value of an OAG or Palm Pilot filled with the numbers of FTers all over the world. You see no such things on the show so I'll bet they're all against the rules.