Learning the intricacies of the airline industry, MileagePlus, and FlyerTalk allowed me get more out of being a 1K than most. I can attest that this holds true for all of the status levels, as I have have spent time at all of them for moderate amounts of time.

Example: Most United fliers with status probably know that they get complimentary upgrades, and that their chances of an upgrade increase as their status does. However, I would also argue that most United fliers (with status or otherwise) don't know what "R>0" means, or why it's important to the CPU game. Learning about this, using CablePick, and looking at flight loads via Expert Mode, and paying attention to aircraft type has helped me pick flights that increase my odds of a CPU.

Looking at 1K for example, I would wager that most 1K's don't exactly know how to use their GPU's, why purchasing a V-fare may improve their upgrade chances, and how to avoid getting put on the waitlist. Most recently I booked a return leg, ORD-SFO, where I had flexibility on my departure time. I noticed that the 7:10 AM flight, on a 757-200 had R1. I booked it, and immediately applied my RPU. Now I'm flying home in a lie-flat.

All that said, my point is this: through self-education, there are a lot of ways to maximize your Premier Status benefits with United. I'm not going to say that United doesn't have it's faults - but personally, I have gotten WAY more out of my 1K status because I've learned the rules and I am always looking for ways to maximize my benefits.

OP may already know everything there is to know...but I'd challenge them to continue to learn more about how the industry and loyalty programs work in order to give them a slight edge against the rest of the Elites.

- LRME