Originally Posted by
Dilemma
Automatic upgrades upon reaching 25,000 miles on DL/NW, (4) 500 mile upgrade certs on UA/US for every 10,000 miles after 25,000 (Effectively 35,000 miles are required before any status upgrades). DL/NW PMUs are not limited to 500 mile segments. DL/NW PMUs are one-way, not just one segment. Therefore, more upgrade chances domestically on DL/NW. On UA you will receive 2 SWUs for ever 50,000 miles flown (which operate like DL PMUs). DL PMUs are provided only after reaching 75,000 miles (Platinum Status).
This isn't correct. PMUs and SWUs (and CR-1s) are both per-one way instruments. However, to earn PMUs, you have to reach 75k, and to earn your first batch of SWUs, you have to fly 100k (and then you'll receive another 2 for every 50k you fly for the rest of the year).
Since the op is not likely to reach either 75k or 100k, it's a bit academic as to how one would use them.
One benefit of UA that I forgot to mention is Economy Plus seating, which is quite nice and available after you become a Premier Member. However, the CRJ's (CR-200's really) don't feature any E+ seating, which is a fair amount of UA flights out of SYR.