That's standard and has been reported before, e.g.
here. Still frustrating, of course.
Lesson learned - should have read the entire thread. Though I would have still kept myself up anyways trying to get that seat as I bet there were a few others trying to nab that seat as well.
Measly?!? Once you take the flight I'll be very surprised if you regret the effort you put in.
Oh, I didn't mean to diminish QF F in any way. I very much loved my MEL-DXB-LHR flight earlier this year - the hard product is one of my favourites, just that the soft product is inconsistent. It was well worth the effort for me considering I'm saving a whole heap of miles and that this flight is going to be the easiest on the body getting from the US to OZ.