I'm not upgrading using miles or SWUs. I may throw myself on the mercy of the gate agent and tell him/her my story and hope they upgrade me for nothing. I will be staying in a reasonably priced hotel one night (around $150). I will take one cab into the city and one cab back -- total cost $30. I will eat. But then again, I'd eat if I stayed home that weekend. Plus, I'd probably spend more on food if I stayed home considering that two full days worth of food will be provided for "free" on the flights. So additional costs amount to just over $200 -- about the same as I'd spend in an average weekend going out to do stuff. So in my case, I don't think the money spent at location would really bump up the cost too much -- but you have a valid point.