Originally Posted by ymmot73

I was in the same boat as you are. Had around 400,000 miles saved over the last 12 years. I booked the following itinerary:

LAX-NRT NH (ANA) First 777-300
NRT-BKK TG (Thai) First 777-300
BKK-DPS TG (Thai) First 747-400

and then the return on the same routes

I used 135,000 for the entire ticket. Booked about 6 months in advance. I went in March and had no trouble getting seats. Here are my impressions.

ANA . I found the First hard and soft product in the air were amazing. I was in the non suite seat they have been using for the last several years. The seat was very wide, and of course flat, which is I find essential to be able to sleep. The food was better than some of the best restaurants I have been to in LA. And the FA's were so gracious, so kind. From the moment I stepped on board until the moment I stepped off, I felt well taken care of. I cannot say enough about it.

The Lounge in Narita was just your basic first class lounge. Not an "event" or particularly memorable. But did have showers, food and booze.

Thai. The seat in the 777-300 was wonderful...a private suite. They lease them from Jet. The food was very very good. The service...good, but a little disorganzied compared to ANA. The problem is that with Thai they do frequent equipment swaps, so its risky in terms of knowing what hard product you will get. The 747 had the older style First Class seats, so not really comparable.

The lounge...amazing. I have never been to Frankfurts (hoping to go soon) but I found Thai to be wonderful. Was given my own private "living room", escorted to the spa for a 1 hour massage, had my own waiter, and the food was wonderful.

So in the end, I was very happy I mixed airlines. Got the best of both worlds. Next on my list is LX and LH (once I know I can get a refurbished 747 with the separate bed).

Best luck. Its worth the time searching!