I have been 1k for a few years and again have already gone past the 100k miles this year and just scraped past the $12k spend....but I have some questions.

I hardly ever get upgraded. I presume that United has changed the algorithm significantly so that the price $$ of the ticket now trumps FF level. I am only allowed to purchase restricted econ tickets - even tho' United econ is often more expensive than Delta or American. Also, I have only twice managed to get upgraded into int bus class using the 6 global upgrades each 1K gets. Mostly the ticket says it is "restricted upgrade" when I try to use them.

The only thing I have found, is that I can call the airline and ask them what the cost is to upgrade my ticket to the lowest upgradeable level (is it w?) and I have twice paid that amount ($150-$300) which got me seats in int bus class, but not always. Seems there are many people higher on the list than I. Clearly the 96 hours upgrade for IK does not seem to be active as I see seats available if I check the web but I am not upgraded. Anyone know how the system now works as I cannot understand it.

Parenthetically, I spent 10 years as platinum on Continental pre DisUnited and was upgraded (with companions) about 80% of the time, including international trips to bus/first just using miles +$200 per leg ......what a difference life is now travelling on United - I consider Continental almost glory days compared to the really unpleasant flying on United. I am 35 years as a onepass member, life member of Club, I have wondered about changing airlines...but prob makes no difference and would lose club membership? Am I out of order?