I'll clarify a few things...

I've searched both United only and partner carriers. I can purchase multiple routes between SFO-DBV and IST-SFO, but 90% are Lufthansa and say No Reward Available. The only upgrades I can seem to guarantee are LRH-SFO or SFO-Domestic layover (not worth it to me).

I feel totally justified calling mileage reward pathetic considering reward and use rates are approximately 1/6th the value they were 3 years ago.

I've never flown through LHR, but heard it's busy and to be avoided...plus an entirely unrelated and unfair bias against it because I don't like the British Airways fare tax system.

Sounds like I'm stuck with Lufthansa economy if I want the best routes otherwise hunt for United only and get on that upgrade list with miles+fee.

Do UA elites get E+ upgrades on partner carriers, or do I have to stick with United if I want at the very least E+ for free?