Well I can't believe it, but I have paid ANOTHER change fee... as I mentioned before, this is probably my only shot for some time to try out as many first class cabins as I can as it's unlikely I will be able to accumulate this many points again. StarAlliance has 6 total - Lufthansa, Asiana, All Nippon, Thai, Air China, and United - ranked in about the order that I posted (for their flagship newest product), though that is certainly open for some debate. I can do without AC and United but I really wanted to try out Asiana's new product, the fantastic suites, but unfortunately they have only been flying ICN-JFK and that is a route that simply doesn't help me at all. However, they have just announced that they are going to be flying ICN-LAX as of August 15th with their new A380s with the suites! I've been wracking my brains how to accomplish this within the confines of the MPM allowance - I needed a stop in Europe to connect with my Africa ticket, and definitely wanted a stop in SE Asia.
I must have tried a dozen routings, and finally found one that just squeaks in at 15,080/14,914 allowed on the outbound and 9,942/10,033 on the return.
New routing:
YVR-FRA (LH J, swap for LH F when they release the seats)... 747-400 with the dedicated beds
-stop-
FRA-CDG (LH J)
-stop-
CDG-NRT (NH F) 77W First Square
-overnight-
HND-BKK (TG F) 747-400 Updated F
BKK-SIN (TG J)
-stop-
SIN-ICN (OZ J)
ICN-LAX (OZ F) A380!
LAX-YVR (AC Y, standby for J)
The taxes/fees are hideous but I finally am hitting all 4 first class cabins I wanted to (would have preferred the TG A380 over the 747 refurbished but close enough) with my least preferred cabin on the shortest haul, so I'm a pretty happy camper. T-90 days until I leave now! Although to be honest at 260,000 points between the two tickets and about $1700 in taxes and fees, I am starting to wonder if it's really worth it. On a value basis compared to taking the flights for cash it certainly is, but still...
Mark