I got lots of miles on Qatar airways on my twice yearly flights UK-Manila in Busines. Tried 3 times for redemptions on flights, NEVER available whichever way I tried.
I just thought stuff it, walked into Duty Free in the Oryx lounge and redeemed the points on a free iPad and a galaxy tab for £40.....
Bad side dropped from Gold, well, actually plummeted! Oh well back again in November.