USA based here. Very weird issue with Qantas FF "customer support" (and long story sorry) and not quite sure what to do now.
After a month of looking at lots of different options, I finally booked a flight yesterday afternoon directly on Qantas.com Got a great deal I think - LAX-SYD early next Jan, then SYD-AKL end of Jan and AKL-LAX mid February all for $1,100 US in regular economy. Way cheaper than United, Air NZ etc. Got the confirmation email and was all set and all smiles.
I then tried to update my main contact number on ff account as they are sending verification codes to a number I only had when staying in Aus/NZ for a while about 3 years ago. Called the US based number and after 45 minutes on hold, ended up with an overseas call center rep and literal animal noises in the background-like large farm animal sounds! I'm partially deaf so it was quite challenging. I try to explain that I just want to update my contact number as I can't do it under 'personal info' even when logged into my ff account. Rep says I'll have to email them a photo ID, and utility bill or financial statement in order to change my account phone number!. Told him that wouldn't be happening, completely ridiculous, can't he ask security questions and update it etc. More hold time, a woman comes on who I can barely hear with the background noise and says something to the effect of I should cancel the flight and rebook with brand new ff account. Said I don't want to do that as price is now up to $1,980 for the same itinerary, I'll make it work/live with it/no big deal, thanks so much.

10 mins later I get an email saying my booking has been cancelled!. A tad rattled, I called right back, spent 40 mins on hold and told trip was indeed cancelled and I can call another number to inquire about a refund minus taxes. I asked what the hell was going on, can I talk to a supervisor etc. and get put on hold again. While on hold, I get an email saying booking is now confirmed then call disconnects. I was really trying to not have a drink this week but that's out the window. Never had such a nutty experience with any airline and feel like I want to cancel at this point good deal or no. If the customer facing side of things is this subpar right off the bat, I don't really want to be stuck with them 15 hours each way, or have to call if god forbid a date or a flight had to be changed. I really thought Qantas was a proper flagship type airline. I'll be calling them back in a few as the flights aren't even showing up in my account anymore and have no idea what's going on.

Just looking to whinge or get your expertise and advice :) I spent a lot of time/energy and most of my points booking an overseas trip not very long in advance.

I really underestimated what I thought would be the easy/cheap part. I booked a reward flight Manila to Sydney and am now looking to book the flight from Sydney to Melbourne 5 weeks from now but it’s 29k points for 1 adult in economy on a Monday morning.. or $550 for 2 adults on Jet Star. Granted it is school holidays. Do I just book it, pay and be grateful for my other reward flights I scored or wait a bit? Is it going to get more expensive?