LOL, you know what's funny. I was happy with Virgin America the way it was before they've established an elite program. You didn't have to deal with the unavailability of gaining an upgrade due to a Super Elite Executive Platinum procuring the upgrade before you...

With that said, it looks like it's a move in the correct direction if they are to become profitable and to complete with the Legacy carriers. Eliminating checked baggage fees for achieving Silver or Gold is a most welcome bonus. I would really like to see them recognize the Founding Members sometime during the course of the year with some type of promotion as was mentioned by VX during it's startup (hint, hint, discounted year round checked baggage fees for Founding Members).

Achieving 10,000 status points towards Silver by spending 25K a year with their Signature card will help those of us who don't fly as often as we use to.

Still, all and all, VX is my preferred airline (if I'm heading in their direction) even prior to the introduction of their Elite Status addition to their frequent flyer program.

S/F
-John