I had planned to propose to MrsLA at 60,000 on another BA1, but that didn't quite work out as they announced the cessation of service and prices rocketed . Ended up flying her to a mystery location (Vegas, not that classy) and got down on bended knee at the edge of the Grand Canyon - luckily she said yes! Even the AA crew did something completely unprompted on the way back - wrapped up a full size bottle of champagne in a (clean?) sock and presented it to us!

I'd go for BA1 on the way out and, if your miles stretch to it, F on the way back. If you have a UK address can you apply for the SPG card and get 25,000 extra points for £1,000 spend?

The next big question is where to stay when you reach New York..... and that really is a difficult question!

Good luck.