Wow... I'm so happy I am a 1P with United... it sounds like it's hard to u/g with other airlines. Most of the ug's w/ United are all electronic and don't charge *any* fees whatsoever (unless you need to buy more certs)....
I am surprised some of these airlines still want to issue paper certs for some of these segments!
When using miles for United, you just call it in, if it can be confirmed, *ZAP*, they're out of your account.
-nate