I have no idea which forum this belongs to, so please move where appropriate, and then I'll know.

I suddenly seem to have some miles on my hands (THANK YOU Frugal Travel Guy and FlyerTalk!). I have never in my life flown 1st class, and want to give myself a birthday gift using my miles.

I have studied up, and am now completely confused. The only site I can see where I can book a flight where I'm sure of the upgrade award is CO. I have miles with UAL, CO, AA and BA. I want to take a domestic flight west coast to east coast, with as much time in my first class seat as is humanly possible.

Is CO the way to go, or is there a better option?

By the way, doesn't the UAL-CO merger spell ONE LESS CREDIT CARD for us? I don't like it at all.