My favorite posts in this thread (and I've read them all) are the ones from people who are going to call the "premier" line daily to check for inventory. In my recent experience, the premier line routes to the ICC 9/10 times anyway.

Do you really think that UA would be bothered by hiring a few more ICC reps at what I am sure are minimal wages compared to those in the USA, and

Who on earth has the sort of time to waste on the phone, talking to clueless agents daily, to see if upgrade space is available?

Just do the smart thing and move your business to an airline where things work like they are supposed to, and they don't play any of these ridiculous games!