Mahalo to all who replied.

1Kwannabe
Thanks for the pep talk, and the acronyms

jgsx
The challenge requires BIS miles, what does BIS stand for? The email said it required 15,000 paid flight miles or 20 flight segments on qualifying flights* which would suggest no 50% gear up.

wxguy
I've walked by the United gates plenty of times at Narita, usually quite a line crowding the front for early boarding, suppose that's the "status" flyers. This was always a lot more than at the NW gates, we'll see what the Delta brand has brought with it.

I say that because it looks like I can get a HNL/BKK ( M/M ) and BKK/HNL (Y/Y ) from Delta for under 3K (50k mile upgrade) for some acceptable dates. I'm waiting for my Delta Reserve Card to arrive to purchase the seats, that's a whole 'nother story.

If I don't take this BKK trip with United I will watch my Status Match window disappear. Don't know how hard I should push, given how strong NWA was into AMS and BKK compared to others (from HNL). If I was booking further out with Delta the flights/$$$/ looks good. The only likely new business I will add is 1 trip to Sao Paulo and 1 trip to Brisbane per annum.

So, maybe you'll see me in "the Friendly Skies" or maybe they'll be one less guy trying to sit in your seat.