Quite surprising but seems like not anymore. The other thing I am worried about is how would it play for op-ups? Would they start upgrading silvers before they upgrade a gold nominee?

I believe, according to what I've experienced in the last few days, that 'my right' only extends to my seat when I am a traveler and nothing more. One thing you have to keep in mind is that its the new call center that you end up dealing with now. And those guys suck big time - they don't want to do move even a finger if they can get away with that.