Thats a bloody good question..

I am pretty sure however that GE partners upgrades clear as per their actual status hence you may end up not getting your wife cleared until upto boarding. I would be intrested to know what happens with that though.

persoanlly, if ap's are not a problem then maybe use discounted business or maybe even use a star alliance award and look at SQ and treat yourself to the 380 either all the way via syd or pick it up from sin. That would be my choice if you have a few ap's.