I've really enjoyed and appreciated the upgrades we've received since my daughter, then myself and then my husband all reached E status for the first time, between September and November 2011. So far 5 for 5. My daughter (E) upgraded my husband and I (no status) both for YYC-YVR-HKG in early October, cleared immediately at T-4. That flight gave me E, and I was able to upgrade us both (same PNR) for the return trip in mid-October, also cleared immediately at T-4. Then I burned the last of my 2011 credits by nominating my daughter for upgrade YYC-FRA in early January, cleared at the gate. I've actually done better with these international upgrades than on my Latitude flight pass, where I'm only 2/4 in Western Canada.

I have always been perfectly content flying Y within Canada. But J is so lovely on long international flights. I'll be very sorry to see this opportunity eliminated for 35,000 E level next year. For my family, international upgrades were the only benefit of E that really interested us. And from what I've been reading, sounds like the situation has deteriorated a lot even over the past 6 months. Too bad.