Need ideas on how to plan this trip: I will be going from Boston - Manila -Taipei - Boston in that order for Chinese New Year in February. I would like to minimize cost (most important) but maximize mileage

Ideas:

Canadian - Flies to all three destinations. I can get a round trip BOS-YVR-MNL and return TPE-YVR-BOS for ~$700 then purchase one way from MNL to TPE for $150-$200. This is both cheap and convenient but has no mileage incentive (unless I get instant elite with American and make sure I book American codeshare?). However, a stopover in Vancouver is allowed which I might do.

UA - Buy round-trip to TPE (~$800) and purchase separate round-trip to Manila (~$300). I can get the most mileage (PremEx on UA) but this would cost more.

NWA - The only domestic airlines that goes to both MNL and TPE. Has mileage bonus to Taipei (3000 in coach) but flight contains too many connections. Not sure about the price of this itinerary.

Cathay Pacific - The Asiapass is cheap ($900) but need to pass by HKG on every routing. No mileage and need to leave from NYC. Not sure if Chinese New Years is blacked out.

IDEAL - UA from Boston to Frankfurt, Lufthansa from Frankfurt to Manila, Thai from Manila to Taipei (via Bangkok), UA from Taipei to Boston (via SFO). But this itinerary sounds $$$. Anybody knows a good consolidator?