I have no status with UA---actually, I don't even have any miles (I get US miles for UA flights). I was flying a redeye from SAN-IAD with my wife recently, which was completely full in economy and mostly full in E+. When I checked it, the kiosk offered me an upgrade to E+ for $44 a person. Only middle seats were available, but the CSA quickly assigned me 8D-E (757), which are the 2 seats in the exit row in the front of the cabin. There is no window here, but since it was a redeye it really didn't matter. I gladly paid the upgrade free and had a much, much more pleasant flight than I would have stuffed in the back.