I've read the forum and I need a little help honing my strategy for gaining first class seats on international flights. I have the United Club card and spend 100K per year on the card. I also have an AMEX for my business and spend about 100K per year on that card. I travel by myself to SE Asia or NZ/AU 2 times per year, Europe 4 times per year, and the Caribbean 2 times per year. I usually snag Silver or Gold elite status on United each year. My goal is to get upgrades or free First Class tickets for my Pacific and European trips. I don't care about the club (and I get Club entrance with the card anyhow). I don't care about early boarding or getting free upgrades on domestic flights or Caribbean flights or any other perks of elite status. All I want is first class on 6 overnight flights a year.

What would you recommend? Should I buy Economy Plus tickets and try to upgrade with miles? Or buy a few first class tickets and redeem miles for the rest? With 200k of spend a year, what would you do?