I am planning a flight to Nepal in late January, for about two weeks. (1/31 to 2/14,15,16)

Cheapest flights are on Qatar and 9W, but those flights aren't *A (I'm CO Plat soon, and hence *G). They also only earn miles on United and other *A partners, not CO.

So I'm looking at possibly EWR-DEL (CO) and then Indian to KTM. But transiting Delhi is not fun (visa + 9 hours stay), and I am concerned about luggage (I'll check three very heavy bags - DEL-KTM might be okay, but KTM-DEL will be a fortune).

Singapore from JFK-(FRA)-SIN-KTM then seems to be my best option. Longer flight, but no major layovers (9 hour layover in DEL with the other plan). It is $400 more ($1600 A/I) but could be worth it.

Any ideas/thoughts/options?