HELM

I fly this sector 2 to 3 times each year and have been trying to figure out upgrade possibilities with my limited $$. Two options are via Narita or Hong Kong and the shorter flight is Narita, 22+ hours versus 24-25.

I'm not very savvy but have been trying my best to understand my options. Here's my 411.

1. I can't afford the Y, B and M fares so I stick with the lowest fares available.
2. I'm Gold right now, 2K shy of making Platinum. Have a domestic fligh NEX week that will put me at Platinum.
3. Via HKG it's United but via Narita you have ANA as an option. I find the service on ANA so much better.
4. Love the Narita route but am learning that upgrades are more difficult on code share flights.
5. Flights to Narita are almost always full too.

On a completely separate note and to make it even more confusing......I'm even considering cutting UA at 75K when I hit Platinum. I recently returned from Africa and had quite an experience with them. First the flight was cancelled (at IAD) and i was there at the counter for almost 2+ hours waiting for them to re-route me. The re-route next day was on BA on the second leg so i 'lost' some miles there. And when I arrived at my destination, they lost 5 of my 6 check-in baggages. It turned out that the bags were still in Dulles after having confirmed twice at the gate that my bags were on-board before departure. Paid $600 for the latter 3 bags. Sorry but I just had to vent. I should have lodged a complain.

So here's what I'm trying to figure out:

1. Should I stick with United (no code share) for a better possibility of an upgrade?
2. Should I consider routes that are less busy for a better chance? HKG instead of Narita.

And ref the idea about skipping UA altogether and start accumulating miles on another airline.........another option is Emirates. I'll easily clock another 50K this year so I'm wondering if it's better to stick with UA and make 1K or start getting status on Emirates. Since I also fly to East Africa, Emirates also covers that route.

Thanks in advance.

Helm