The 757's first class is six rows, seated 2x2. There will probably be a hot meal, but if not there will at least be a fruit and cheese plate (I think you can check the timetable on United's website to be sure). If you've never flown in first class before you will love it! I know I did. But some other types of planes have better first/business class seats, and once you get into the upgrade game a little more you might decide to try and upgrade on longer flights.

You'll get 4 500-milers for every 10K you fly as a Premier or higher in a given calendar year. The system sweeps for the 10K threshold and deposits upgrades on Saturdays, but your flights have to post by midweek (I think I read Wednesday?) for the computer to catch them.