the UA forum really deals with all your questions. n add, don=t miss the links published there to PremEx' unofficial guide for Mileage Plus members (I don-t have the link handy here at a elboure Internet cafe). Nevertheless, he is a short summarized answer to your questions:
- you will get 6 SystemWide upgrades with your new 1K card (1K expiry feb 2002) soemwhen in february 2001 (those systemwides will be paper, electronic)
- you probably missed to 'claim' 6 systemwides for last year (2000), using a UA loophole that has been intensively discussed at the UA site too. And my guess is, that you don't have a little sister's helping hand in Seattle ... (sorry, that one is for FlyerTalk insiders/oldies only).
- The 'true flier miles' (or apology miles as you name them) were credited on jan/10/2001 to most of us.
WELCOME, Enjoy FlyerTalk board, and please contribute/SHARE some of YOUR personal experiences. As a 1K you must be experienced too.