Welcome to FlyerTalk.
I'm not a NW guy, but it makes perfect sense to get yourself the miles to for an award level you'll be happy happy with. Seems like 60K is what you spoke of.
If I were in your shoes, I would fly UA to get the EQM needed for 1P, but I would try and charge my next $9,000 on the NW Credit card.
Good Luck.