Option 1 is better to maximize PQP. Flying UA TPAC will ultimately dilute the PQP earnings and not worth it. At that point, might as well buy a 016-ticket as those are usually $100-200 cheaper than 205-ticket. I fly KUL/CGK-US multiple times a year and have always opted to fly NH on the TPAC segment, even if it means playing ORD-TYO The Room roulette.