In my experience with both getting Hilton Gold and diamond ,it doesn’t come through without calling va. but if you call before the 20 business days statutory waiting period they won’t action it with Hilton so I don’t think you’ll get it in time.

As your itinerary partly contains a redemption booking , qantas will tag your bags all the way to hel as they make an exception in that case

I find Queensland is like a separate country so maybe Emirates recognise that

Yes. Owe is admitted but no guest

I hate driving after a long haul flight. Have you thought of using the chauffeur to drive you to say reading station and then taking a cheap train from there to Wales. That way you could hire in wales later that day or the next day at your destination and take train back to London later on