We used to do SQ/BA rtw's but then SQ went off and joined Star and eventually dropped the agreement with BA. Since then we've been using OWE. Their combination of CX and BA means a 744 with a flat bed is available for any long-haul.

How do you folks that do star rtw's in first deal with that? SQ would seem to be the only carrier with beds (practically the only long-haul carrier with first class!). I'm sure I'm missing something here...

LH has flat beds (despite claims to the contrary on the BA board), and is equal to BA for long-haul inflight quality (lounges are much worse, though). The LH/SQ combination takes you everywhere that BA/CX does, and with similar comfort. Personally I prefer Oneworld, but Star has a viable option. And the "2nd tier" members of Star are much better than the Oneworld second tier (or Skyteam, for that matter).

NZ has flat seats, too (they just don't call 'em beds) as has ANA and I don't figure why UA's First Suite would not fit that category. TG has the new seats on some routes as well.

If NZ has flat beds in first, their marketing department or web site designer needs a bit of prodding. Their web site shows a fairly ordinary seat and gives the impression that it reclines fairly generously, but makes no mention of beds such as QF etc offer.

I don't know how to quantify the difference, but the "real" beds offered by several carriers are significantly nicer than even the most comfortably-reclining seat. Besides flatness you get your own private space, some kind of sheets/comforter thing, and a nice pair of airline-issue jammies you can don prior to some fairly serious sweet dreams (smooth air permitting). Given a choice, I would NEVER turn down a real bed on a long-haul (unless Aeroflot puts 'em in.)

Air NZ has/had ONE 747 with flat beds installed as a test or prototype (not sure if that plane is still in service), otherwise no flat beds on Air NZ (but a very comfortable seat with about 170 degrees recline, and excellent service). It is worth trying, particularly for a mostly-daytime flight.
UA has a fairly good flat bed (not as comfortable as it looks, and prone to mechanical malfunctions), but highly variable service that causes me to actively avoid flying UA. ANA varies by route (I think there are 4 different F configurations, only one of which is good). The only reliable beds on Star are SQ and LH, but that is a fairly rich route network.