Thanks everyone for the input. I think for now I will go the route of credit miles-->UA and sector/PPS credits-->SQPPS. Most people don't realize the main benefit of UA 1K - namely, being treated like a valued client by most all UA staff (telephone, ground, in flight) regardless of where you are sitting or what fare you've paid. NO other US airline provides this, in my experience - (though admittedly I have never been AA EXP - was a AA Plat for many years and frankly thought it was no big deal). Granted, LH's program gives greater mileage bennies and SQ is a better airline - but I can't fly SQ or LH from STL to LGA or LAX! And I'd much rather take a UA RJ to ORD and connect, than deal with the hell of AA's STL hub madness and horrible customer service.

And, having a wife and 4 kids who all expect a minimum of C (preferably F!) class on vacation travel (domestic and int'l), I need the program that gives me max ability to secure that...and UA is it. We almost never claim free tix, but use miles for upgrades on holiday travel. UA 1K allows me to use the earned/complimentary upgrade certs (dom and intl) to cover upgrading business travel tix without eating into award miles. So for now I'll stick to trying to reclaim 1K, but concentrate PPS-eligible travel on SQ and earn the credits that way.
IF UAL goes under (*God forbid*) I'll need a whole new approach to life...