One thing I don't like as a ROP Gold member is that the 50% award 'gift' can't be booked until after 01 Jan each year - which means 'I' business award availability for Jan-Jun can be very thin. same for Gold Upgrade, not loaded until the start of the calendar year, but usually more flexible as J is usually available.
Mrs TK and I have a plan to get to Europe next year in Sep/Oct, so I'd buy a K class economy ticket and use Gold Upgrade, and I would use the 50% award for a business ticket for her. I know it is a busy season and I fear award availability might be gone as the dates will be quite specific and I won't have much flexibility (reunion with others).
We did this last year and managed to make it work in Jun to fly ICN-BKK-OSL return.