Originally Posted by 3Cforme

The $250, then $300, soon to be $350 long haul international upgrade co-pay is irrelevant to the OP. What has tagged him is an entirely new domestic mileage upgrade co-pay.

Update: Effective October 1, 2008, a non-refundable co-payment of $50 will be required to claim one-way upgrade awards used with most Discount Economy fares when traveling:

Within the continental U.S. / Canada
Within and between the continental U.S. / Canada / Mexico / The Caribbean
Between North America and Central America

To the OP, I can only say good luck. Airlines have started charging fees for lots of things that used to be free - first checked bag, second checked bag, snacks, pillows/blankets, phone bookings, even online award bookings. US Airways will charge you for coffee and bottled water. There's a new paradigm: expectations you formed 20 years ago will not be met by any U.S. carrier in domestic service.