IIRC the "express" lines have always said "MVP Gold" but when I had not yet attained MVPG status I was always able to use them as an MVP. (Honestly, I always had my CO Plat. card in hand as well just in case anything was said about my mere MVP status but I never had to use it at either SEA or PDX.) Have you been denied access to the express line or just intimidated by the sign and used the general line instead?

As to your other concern about upgrading with miles, I think (and I'm sure MissyD. will correct me if I'm wrong) the restriction on only being able to upgrade Y.B,M or H fares has been around for more than three years and it may be as many as 5. I can appreciate that you have to book through your corporate TA however would you be willing to "buy up" to an H fare yourself in order that you may upgrade using miles?

Finally, with FF programs on all carriers being "de-valued" lately, which of AS's partners will give you a better deal? AA just announced today that they are eliminating the 500 mile minimum, DL has gone to a three-tiered system much like AS, and NW's WorldPerks will eventually be absorbed into DL SkyMiles. At least with AS your redemption options are, IMO, better than that with any of the partners where you are pretty much limited to either OneWorld or SkyTeam. With AS you get your choice of both.