I have family near Toyko and Bangkok that I would like to visit in early spring 2013. I know, it is a bit far off, but planning trips is a lot of fun for me and I get excited.

So, I think I have become a bit of a monster and cannot decide what to do.

My goal: fly (preferably) first class with a week long stop in both Tokyo and Bangkok. Travel is for two passengers. My real quandry (I know this is terrible and I almost feel bad typing it) is I would really like to be on a flight that serves either Dom or Krug.

I am based out of BOI.

I have enough or will have enough miles in US, UA or AA for the trip.

From what I can tell:

US is 160,000 miles to S. Asia (assuming they book it correctly, could be less) and they allow a stopover.

UA is 145,000 miles to S Asia and also allows a stopover.

AA does not allow stopovers except at US hubs, so 100,000 miles would get me in J to Tokyo or 135,000 in F. I will have a BOGO from BAs Avios I could then use to go in F to BKK for 75,000 points.

UA seems to be the best option, but I know it is hard to get two F tickets to Asia from the US....I would be willing to go on Asiana F and ANA J (new service out of Seattle) and then F on Thai from NRT/HND to BKK...I don't think I would get my fancy bubbles, but I would get a massage at the Thai lounge.

Help! Am I missing an option? I know I am putting way too much thought into this and if everyone had this problem in life the world would be a better place. I don't care where we fly from to start the trans-pac flight - SFO/LAX/YVR are all good options out of BOI.

I don't want to fly to Asia via Europe because my DH doesn't have the patience that I do for those long flights. I would consider it, but it is around plan D for options.

Thank you so much!!

Is your BOGO from BA the 2-for-1 deal for spending $30K on the Chase BA Visa? If so, that is only eligible for use on BA flights. You'd have to fly through London.

I think UA/US would be best for you, since *A is big in both BKK (TG) and TYO (NH). Even UA runs a daily NRT-BKK flight. AA would require more miles due to their stopover rules.

Yes, it is. I totally forgot about that fact. Thanks.

Take a look at the One World awards which allow plenty of stopovers. There is an excellent thread about these awards on FT.

We saved around 80K miles last summer using a One World on JAL and Cathay Pacific to go to Delhi with stops in BKK, HK and NRT (in biz) using AA miles.

With UA/US miles, you can also take SQ which serves LAX-NRT, probably connecting to BKK through SIN if you don't change to TG. SQ serves both Dom and Krug in FC, but it can be very tough to get their award tickets.

AA miles can be used on CX through HKG, IIRC from LAX, SFO, or YVR. This would also be an outstanding experience in FC. JAL is in the same alliance, as is QF which might have some third freedom flights that could work.

Hmmm....I thought I couldn't do a stopover if I used my AA miles. I will do some more reading on that before I ask questions. I would LOVE to book us on Cathay, even if it is only one direction. I have heard JAL is pretty amazing too.

I don't think I stand a chance at getting on SQ out of the US, but if I go the UA/US route, maybe I can get them on one of the Asian segments. I don't want to book the trip last minute because my husband has to request the time off in advance.

I will start watching now for one year out to see what is available as far as CX, JAL, etc. Luckily, I have a while before I need to book, so I should be able to figure out my options better by then.

Silly question - what is the acronym IIRC? I have seen it before and didn't know what it meant then.

IIRC = if I remember correctly.

So, after a lot of reading this morning and last night, it seems booking a OW ticket might be the winner. I still need to calculate the distance as if it stays in zone 5, it is a good deal, but if it creeps into zone 6, then I am better off using my US miles.

Thanks everyone!

Too bad you're not going this winter (I am):

http://www.aa.com/viewPromotionDetai...&_locale=en_US

Let us know how it turns out!

Will do.

I am still waffling at the moment...it comes down to if I go to Thailand on this trip or not. I am not sure my cousin will be at her parents house when I want to go, so if she is there (and I go to Thailand) then I will book using US miles. If I just go to Japan, I will use AA and fly on Cathay (or make every attempt too).

I think no matter what, it will be a pretty awesome trip!