jfarmer,

In addition to reading every post on the United board (go back as far as you can before brain freeze sets in), take a look at pgary's website.
http://www.freefrequentflyermiles.com/index.htm

I advise you to click on all of the links on the left. Loads of information to absorb. Some even useful.

If you can't earn 100,000 miles by days end...
Lots of 'free' miles/points available for signing up for co-branded credit cards. You can also find info on the United credit card in the UA forum. I think it's 21,000 mile sign up bonus. Add that, plus what you have in your UA account, and you're well on the way to an upgrade using your miles.

A word of caution ... after a few days on Flyertalk, you'll be hooked. Ask me. I know.

Welcome to Flyertalk jfarmer. I (we) appreciate your service.

Dan