Thanks for the input...
I've signed up with some credit cards (I tried for 20K UA M+ and 15K AAdvantage, plus opened 2 different brokerage account for 19K UA M+). So I'm closer to my 80K goal with United :-) Now I just hope UA doesn't go under and make those miles worthless... but I know there are lots of people here on FT that have MUCH more to lose :-(
Appreciate the info!