So United doesn't give free upgrades. Period. That sucks a bit, but it's survivable. Have you heard of any other *A urban legends of free international upgrades, that (although not the most important element) is one of the big reasons I want to switch from LH (also the fact that I basically don't fly it). It was pretty insane that my dad got a transcontinental 2 class upgrade for no real apparent reason.

I was interested in what the fare classes were for SWU upgrade? Is DL the only airline that actually gives free upgrades occasionally to premium members? I'm just still dumbfounded by the fact that my older brother (DL Platinum) has had 4/6 of his flights upgraded this year, two of them were over 6hrs but inter-US, the other two were NYC-PRG which is pretty insane.

OK, so basically I want to know straight up, should I go DL or UA, they seem like pretty similar equivalents of each other just in separate alliances, but it seems that DL gives better upgrades, while UA might have the reward benefit.

Is there anything that could put one of them as seriously over the top, or maybe any other one. One that would make me think this is the airline for sure, apparently DL rewards are pretty good as well.

As an interesting tie breaker, would any of you have opinions on the hands down best premium cabin in North America (between UA,AC,US,DL)
Also maybe, who has the better lounges *A or Sky?