Last year I did some CC trades of GCs for Amex points with some specific redemptions in mind - but plans changed, and now I have a substantial chunk of Amex MR points that I am wondering what to do with. My #1 priority is UGs from Y => C/J on TATL & TPAC. I'm a UA 1k, and fly *A whenever practical to keep that. I have UG and LH UGs covered with my SWUs and UA miles.

So, given all that, I'm wondering what the best transfer options are for those Amex points. AC has a good hard product, and I'm willing to connect in YVR on my way to asia, but I have no idea what the UG availability is for a non elite. SQ is another option I'm considering, and I remeber reading recently that they have started upening up awards on equipment with the newer seats - is this true for UGs also ? Again, a big question is what UG availability is like for non-elites.

Any advice on those or other options would be very much appreciated.

Can't help you with other airlines, however AC does not participate in any miles-for-upgrade programs (and does not have one of its own). The only way to upgrade on AC is to use upgrade certificates that are only available to AC status members.