Don't forget Lufthansa and their 25% bonus miles on UA (& US, AC, LH etc)flights once you get to FTL status which help get you to SEN and they have very cheap upgrades on UA flights + *A Upgrades. (45K miles from business to first from MEL-LAX)

Plus you only have to renew once every 2 years.

Ok it is hard to get *G if you only fly economy, but good once you have it.