Well as a GL this is very disappointing and I think a grave mistake on ELAL's part. Whilst I agree that all other things being equal, status should prevail, I also think that surely someone who is willing to spend an extra 400 USD for Y class and thus giving more revenue to ELAL to increase the chance of an upgrade, should have priority.

I will have to review my future travel plans and reconsider my position vis-a-vis ELAL. At the moment I give a lot of revenue to ELAL and as a self-employed person I decide exactly where to put my money. I am pretty sure that I spend more than some PLs on an annual basis as I usually buy full fare tickets and travel quite a lot. I know many PL's who travel on corporate rates that are significantly reduced and thus therefore give ELAL less money than me.

I don't reach PL because I choose to put some of my business every year towards other airlines and in particular BA.

Anyway, such is life!!!