From what I am reading, of first hand accounts of GS and 1K members getting no upgrades, and Kettles paying $69 to buy the upgrade seat, UA will hardly have a paying Elite left next year - so the MM Bennies are moot they really are.
Well,
ozstamps, I think you hit the nail on the head. The new UA ($misek's UA) doesn't really care what you spent over the year or a lifetime, they only care about getting $10 more out of you TODAY, and if you're not willing to pay up TODAY, you're dirt. That's true of every elite level (including MM's ) and it seems to even be reeking up to GS, something I doubt would've happened at old UA.