I can answer only as much as I know..

2. You will need to use your own miles in all cases. If you have the booking on one itinerary, you can upgrade online if the main person who booked the ticket has sufficient miles for both passangers.

3. You can purchase 25,000 miles per year each. Transferring miles will cost you. To buy more miles for Emirates, set-up an spg account as you can transfer to Emirates. You can buy 20,000 miles and get 5,000 free when you transfer 20,000 miles to Emirates or any other airline.

4. Better value to buy flexible economy ticket and use miles to upgrade, rather than using miles to purchase a flight ticket IMO.

5. Yes. You can use http://www.expertflyer.com/ and what a fantastic tool it is. Can check anytime for a small fee.

6. See above.

7. Very likely. Provide us with your dates and someone can check availability for you... I cancelled my membership so sorry I cannot check for you.

P.s. Welcome back!