Continental and Northwest had reciprocal upgrades when they were in ST together. I assume this is something CO wanted with UA. Since their tiers were very similar, I know that as a CO Plat then, I got an upgrade on NW metal almost all the time. I can't remember if there was a time I didn't get an upgrade.
I know it's a small consolation, but one thing that CO does in E is offer meals during meal time, something that I never got in UA. A free hot cheeseburger as opposed to a $6-7 snackbox is much better don't you think?^
Another thing that I just thought about... Maybe the reciprocal upgrade is the reason why UA is adamant about us UA Eliters losing the 500's, regionals, and no complementary upgrades on PS flights.
