I have done this (or better, TRIED this) a few times and only once it went through on a QF flight in November of last year US-OZ. I usually fly J but many times (such as today) J might be sold-out therefore F becomes acceptable by my employer, this is bcs at times I find out 1-2 biz days ahead of a major long trip (OZ/ASIA?NZ from US), and inventory is full. Today I did MEL-HKG-LAX and HKG-LAX was sold out in J and did it in F. (left on May 25th, booked on 24th...) Only 2 pax other than me. MEL-HKG was 75% load in J and empty in F from what I could tell (seated in 11a, which is second row from F on that flight).

I do not have an extended family and am not married, other than two close members who are well off and would look at me weird by offering them a ticket I really do not have anyone I can closely associate myself in such manner. Perhaps some of you use miles/points for products but ime (limited) the stuff you can buy is really a true rip-off.

I am using about 450,000 SPG points for a week in the maldives in November(SPG is good as there is no fiddling around with dates). Still, even after that my balance will be well over 1MM, I tried (still trying) to get tickets to MLE with OW, ST AND SA but my dates "are not available" even if willing to committ some stupid amount (not saver, but highway robber plan). Because I need to depart on exact dates and my friend coming with me has set flights Im kind of screwed as I will need to shell out for full J and two different pnr's. Connecting in BOM. So... Even trying my best to use some miles its getting tough. I am also pressed for time and infact currently I have time to kill and looking for award J or F but seems next to impossible if your dates are locked... BTW my trip is scheduled for November! Ill just keep trying I know that ORD-BOM (flight we are supposed to take) should open up at some point and will at least get one leg comped with miles... We shall see.