I think your approach is wonderfully realistic, when i was your age (i'm 56 now), all of my travel was in Y. I never imagined travelling in C let alone F.

There were far more important things for me to spend my money on and back then, the internet and websites like Flyertalk didnt exist. As a consequence i wasnt very travel savvy and most bookings had to be done via a travel agent with far less choice.

Once i reached 50 and had more disposable income things changed and i started sampling the delights of Business and First. I still travel in Y to the U.S every year for my summer holidays and survive it without too much difficulty, my partner refuses to let me pay out for Business saying she would rather i spent the money on other aspects of the holiday.

When i travel alone for my winter holiday, i do pay (or use miles) for business and of course its much better, but if i could only travel in Y it wouldnt stop me travelling at all.