mattino24

I think SQ is nice for booking awards. But status benefits are poor, as are earnings from actual flying. While I am KF Gold, I mostly fill my mileage account through transfers from financial partners. Again, SQ elite benefits are really really weak. As you mention upgrades: I think it will be quite rare that you get upgraded on an international flight, be it on UA or SQ metal.

By no means an expert on UA. From my superficial understanding, attaining status in MP is tough. I suppose if you are regularly in high booking classes/on expensive tickets and do the PVG-ORD on UA ticket, MP makes some sense.