Any advice?

Any advice? Trying to book Syd to Manchester UK with Qantas points in business, but only ever see economy available. Looking for travel in June, one way. I have 225000 points to use, but I'm only Bronze as usually travel with Etihad so haven't earned enough SC. Any tips on trying to book it?

Booking two months out on popular routes is always tough.

Suggest calling as not all the oneworld Airlines have availability shown online.

Also consider routes from other Australian cities, and maybe even KUL/SIN given you can position there cheaply

Try booking as two separate awards. Still possible on some days in June.

1. Syd to Hong Kong  - QF127 PE 45000pts (No J avail in June) arrives HKG at 17.20

2. Hong Kong to Manchester UK (via Dubai) - ( tick the "can't see your city" bar on top to select Manchester UK and you will be diverted to the Hong Kong website

EK383 and EK21 in J 96000pts + HK$ 170 tax (bargain!) departs HKG 7 hours later at 0035

Total 141000 pts. A bit of a milk run but better than Y all the way!

I've had the same problem SYD- LHR and ended up doing 2 separate bookings and had no problem. 

First flight SYD-DXB then DXB-LHR.  Just make sure you leave yourself plenty of time between bookings though in case of delay. 

I usually stay in DXB overnight and book on a flight the next day just in case.

It does cost a little more in points and fees, but it's worth it in my eyes.

It is always difficult to find Classic Awards and especially so only few months before departure. Try to search tickets from different locations (BKK, HKG etc) and fly to that place on commercial (paid) ticket. Try to search to LHR and get to Manchester on your own money etc.

Thanks everyone! Great advice :)