Originally Posted by
FriendlySkies
I would definitely look at UA. With the Star Alliance, you have so many choices of airlines to fly, in case UA can't get you all of the way. If you want the lie-flat seats in C (business) and F, you could always take a quick flight down to SFO. Just think of it as earning extra miles! Plus, UA has much better redemption than Delta!
Since I live in Portland (similar situation to SEA, though we don't have a UA flight to Japan), I'm familiar with the idea of getting up at 6a just to grab UA flights ex-SFO. Suffice it to say, it's not an extremely glamorous plan.
While I agree with you that Sky Miles are terrible, the DL in flight experience is solid, especially in J. What's more, AS Mileage Plan is a pretty good FFP.