While my upgrade rate is fairly good, I would never pay to sit up front in the many RJs the UA flys. As I have said before, United Express First Class is an oxymoron. The only advantage is maybe a free adult beverage. The seats are marginally better than E+ and the cheese & crackers in box used on 3+ hours flights are a joke.

My last two flights that cleared at 96 hours AUS-IAD and IAD-AUS were L fares.