Upgrades
 

Just wanted to float an idea:

What if upgrades were decided using a point system based on three parts (doesn't have to be equal parts):

(1) The number of miles flown in the last 12 months;
(2) The amount of $ spent with UA in the last 12 months;
(3) The amount paid for the ticket for that flight that day.

You'd be issued on your boarding card a point number. At the gate, they'd upgrade people with the highest point totals.

The advantage is that high value (those that spend the most) will be get the seats (even if they are on a low cost ticket on vacation) and those that might be first time fliers on a full fare ticket also have a decent chance of an upgrade.

Any thoughts?