Good article.
I been using the strategy of using points to Asia then 'cheap' J fares onward from there, for years, I believe to good effect.
For example, I managed to combine decent QF point redemptions and a good-value revenue fare this year:
QF129 SYD-PVG ( J - 82k points + $94) in early May.
Then CX NRT-HKG-SYD return for ~$4420 in J, starting end of May with a night in HK both directions and returning to Tokyo in mid-July.
From Tokyo I was looking for either reward seats or another revenue fare, to the US.
The Qantas site offered HND-HEL-LHR-ORD (AY-AY-BA) in J for 195k points + $1085. I'd never been to Helsinki so worked in 3 days/nights there for some sight-seeing - fabulous in summer. Also a chance to fly Finnair's new A350-900 with the non-reclining J seat on both AY legs - nice crew and service but the seat was meh.
BA (LHR-ORD) on a B777 was great. Cabin felt new, service, food and crew were fantastic! Very pleasantly surprised.
Return to Aus was on QF4 JFK-AKL-SYD for 144k points & ~$320 (??), mid-August.
All booked around Dec/Jan.
Seemed to be reasonable availablity when I was looking and I was surprised how easy it was to find seats out of the US, 6-7 months out - I was prepared to be a bit flexible with travel dates.
We also fly my business partner's family from the US to Asia each northern summer in J, mostly with QF points on AA/BA.
Looking at my QF redemptions summary, we've booked a reasonable amount of flying for myself, business partner, and our families over the last 12 months using points, but very little revenue spend with QF. Others may have a different opinion as to the overall value equation but the seats are there if you look (and can flex).
We also accumulate Amex MR points which are much more flexible but you have to calculate the different value equation: eg: 2.15 MR/$ being offset by 3 MR points to 1 Krisflyer Mile to work out if it suits.