Hi everyone - I stumbled across this website on a search adventure for information. I hope someone can make me understand if I am doing the right thing, and what I can do to improve my travel. Over the next three years, I will have several deployments to Iraq. I have already been once (as a Marine) but I now work for the DON and have five/six month tours in the sandbox. I just returned on Thursday for a trial, and will be returning mid August.

Here's my question: I would like to try to find the best way to upgrade my seat for the return trip this month (non-stop Dulles/Kuwait on UA) and also for my return trip in December. I have a little over 20K miles now on my UA account. The trip I took over several weeks ago, I flew NW and have no idea how to get those miles. On the trip back from Kuwait, I did the Frankfurt/Chicago leg (9 hours) in the center seat/center row between two 300 pound sweaty and very sleepy guys who did not move the entire trip, but managed to take up most of my seat space as well. I know, that is the way of trans ocean flights, but I am looking to upgrade without selling my soul or taking a second mortgage out on the house.

Any help for the new guy here would be great. I know how to show up at the airport and get on the flight, but all the in and outs of upgrading escape me. Thanks!!