This recent (at least in my eyes) obsession with UGS is quite interesting. It is quite clear that United rewards the top 1% of its customers with this great benefit. Obviously, every year what it takes to make that 1% varies. If you are loyal to United, as I am, then you try to book as much as possible on the airline, but sometimes not at the expense of comfort (I choose SQ Raffles class SFO-ICN) or convenience (SFO-MSP direct on NW).

J