The US Dividend Miles is the best in the business. Unlimited upgrades for all elites!! For top-tier Chairman's Preferred you clear 7 days in advance and get 4 transatlantic upgrade certs each year. Envoy class on the A330 rocks with great in-flight entertainment with Row 1 with a "first class" flat bed. (The food is the same as business but the seat is much better).

As a Chairman's Preferred US will go to extraordinary lengths to serve you--at times--with occasional special consideration with inventory issues etc. Makes being a UA 1K feel more like a mid to lower tier garden variety elite.

The only reason why you would have to worry about 500 mile certificates is if you are non-elite. But with all of the tier mileage bonuses you can sleep walk your way to silver!