From my observation, the miles program can vary. Recent purchase JNB -MEL (with miles and pay) worked out just a little more expensive than DXB - MEL (all flights in Suites P) because there was a little red ticket next to the fare ( ie as a full priced fare)
In other words the DXB - MEL was x thousand points plus there huge fees ( as a miles redemption)
but the JNB - DXB -MEL was same number of points and only few hundred dollars more than there huge fees ( as a miles plus pay) works for me 2 x Suites in a 777 and 2 x Suites in a 380.
i have to admit, it can do you head in.