I am currently a CO Plat who has always flown on for business domestically. In 2005 I have an opportunity to possibly go to Japan 2 - 3 times a year. Upgrades at CO are for the 48, Latin America, and Mexico. No trans-Pacific flights are upgradable based on status. I went to Japan last summer on NW in WBC and did a stroll through steerage 6 hours into the flight and thought there was no way I could do a 12 hour flight squeezed in there.

So here are my questions:
1. Do I stay with CO/NW etc to rack up some miles and use them to upgrade?
2. Is there a carrier that upgrades based on status for trans-oceanic flights and if so who?
3. What would you do?

Thanks!