If you are trying to book online with Emirates and they don't give you the flight options that you want - you can 'force' the site to reveal these by using the 'Advanced Search' or Multicity (I think it is) option. If you do it this way you will get shown all flights that have empty seats on it, it's a bit more of a phfaff to do it this way but the choice is definitely greater. Regarding the increased cost for the direct Dubai/Sydney flight - it has always been more expensive to fly directly and still the flights are generally always full. I don't know why you are having trouble getting up-grades from points - I have never had one knocked back
I do agree with you regarding the customer service onboard - it has declined hugely over the years (while the prices have risen)...................and I wouldn't fly with them - but I have come so far with them that it is worth persevering as it's only for another 18 months (then I will be free of them)
