I think much of it comes down to your own outlook on things. There is some received wisdom around these parts that if you're not using Avios to fly First class to SYD for the whole family, you're doing it wrong. Fair enough, if your primary aim is to extract every last ounce of value out of Avios. And if you have a need or desire to visit Sydney.

I tend to start with where I want to go and work backwards from there. Just a couple of weeks ago, I went to MAD using Avios. I had acquired quite a backlog of Amex 2-4-1 vouchers during the pandemic, and one was nearing its extended expiry. So a cheap weekend to Madrid it was, flying Club Europe.

If there are places around Europe you want to go, you have the Avios to burn, and cash fares are high (as they tend to be at the minute), it's a great use of Avios IMHO.