Originally Posted by 000123UA

This is a little melodramatic. CR1s are an additional upgrade instrument available to UA elites that are not "instead of" something that AA elites have. Indeed, they are VERY helpful, since it means that for 8 flights a year, you don't have to play upgrade roulette or burn miles. I agree with the general tone that the OP was a bit off, but CR1 bashing is a silly byproduct of this thread; I wish AA had an earnable confirmed domestic upgrade instrument.