I'm a lowly Silver but IAH is my home. I've enjoyed getting nice trips out of my Chase spend the past 4-5 years but I think I'm going to be moving on now. I'm traveling enough where I'm considering the United Club one.
Otherwise it's off to get a good universal one while it lasts

I usually just buy or pay upgrade to first.
I fly less than once/month and I could probably get better at earning miles with how I book but, its also a hassle