The United Mileage Plus Visa is currently running a special where if you are a Signature-level cardholder, and you upgrade to what they call "Gold Class," you get a 5,000 mile bonus. The annual fee is $25 more than the regular card, but they prorate the amount they charge you depending on when you paid your annual fee. So if a few months have passed since you did so, you could be looking at just $10-15 for 5,000 miles.
There are also other benefits, such as 2,500 miles every year for renewing (2,500 miles for $25 - that's how much more the program costs on top of the regular annual fee), double miles on all UA purchases, and I believe some sort of companion certificate although I could be wrong on that. This offer probably will not last long so give them a call and go for the gold, so to speak.

Yes, I have 2 months to go on my regular MP VISA (that I collected 15000 miles for in January), and earlier this week I signed up for the gold. The prorated membership fee for the remaining 2 months of this year was $4.17. I think I will be eligible for the 2500 renewal bonus in January.

Not bad.

How do you sign up for this? Is it targeted?

Trade your current Mileage Plus Visa for a higher level card.9
We are always looking for ways to offer you Mileage Plus cards that provide you additional ways to earn miles. Depending upon the card you currently have, you can now trade up and enjoy 5,000 Bonus Miles in addition to the miles you earn by using the card.

Call 1-800-537-7783

[This message has been edited by sbc94523 (edited 10-31-2003).]

i did this back in Feb. got the 5000 then and just got the 2500 last month (along with an $85 fee). there was NO companion cert offered back then. It's not targeted offer. My personal breakeven is ~$3K or more of spending on UA justifies having the gold, or else stick to the regular $60 card (or even the free card).