Never found a way of using my miles with Etihad efficiently. Last October had 52,000 expiring, everything from their rewards useless, so just to use them up resorted to their affiliation with pointspay. At least we got a couple of pairs of Emu ugg boots, better than nothing but....

Living in Australia does not help of course.

Next week flying MEL/AUH/LHR on a return mixed fare ticket, F MEL/AUH return, J AUH/LHR return. Very happy with the price, and happy with the mix - helped of course since at the moment there is no dedicated F lounge at AUH and the limo service miles for F are now the same as J.

But, and this makes me mad, Etihad are now sending me emails daily asking me to 'bid for upgrades' from J to F for the AUH/LHR sectors, suggested prices are quite silly, could have booked all F for less in the first place. But, it got me thinking, why not ask for a fare upgrade using my miles (more than enough still in my account), unable to even apply on line, had to phone, so I did, to get the response, 'so sorry grannieflier even though you are gold, no upgrades using miles available'.

Heigh ho, will ask on checking in at MEL if there is any chance of miles upgrade for second sector, and will ask again at AUH.

Sorry to have ranted on, but at least I feel better!
But helpful suggestions regarding spending my miles would be so much appreciated.