Thanks for the link mke9499.

Several notable items updated:
1) Strong (conclusive I think) evidence that the Chase card extends expiration to 2 years. More valuable. Curious if one can reset/extend credit expirations at Southwest this way.
2) Upgrades are (very likely) treated like paid segment upgrades, not 4-credit award upgrades. Less valuable than I'd hoped.
3) Personal experience and confirmed by others in this thread that having had the Barclays Airtran card in the recent past does not interfere with getting an approval from Chase. No surprise here but I'm sure it'll make some feel better.
4) View from the Wing had some interesting comments re. the card from the program manager and a public link is available that offers 16 credits on $1000 spend.

Today's the last day for the targeted 32 credit offer.