UA has a *lot* of 1Ks, so now that you're in you'll be clearing upgrades with the rest of us, which is a good thing. Upgrading using 500-milers when you're below 1k is definitely a hit-or-miss kind of thing, but I'm doing quite well as a 1k now. I normally use the confirmed regionals for very long trips (IAD-SFO is my normal run) and sometimes I used them for RDU-DEN because that's a CR7 and the cost of NOT getting upgraded is four hours in the back of an RJ -- not fun. I'm not sure there's any way to "improve your chances of an upgrade as a 1k" -- BEING 1k is what improves your chances. I suppose the advice to "fly at non-peak times" is somewhat valid, but since most 1k's fly on someone else (employer's) schedules, that's not always possible.

As stated, the REAL benefits to me are the SWUs and the CR1s -- being able to *confirm* an upgrade when booking for a flight is very very nice. Having a dedicated reservations line is very nice, especially when things go to **** at the airport and you have to get rebooked. The 1k line agents are generally much better than the others and you don't wait nearly as long.

2p and 1p are nice, but don't *really* help you get anything done. 1K is the real step up, and at that point you almost feel like you're being treated in a humane fashion.