Originally Posted by MikeBOS

I realize that many of us have drunk the VX kool-aid, but the OP has some valid points IMO.

MCS upgrades are not nearly comparable to F upgrades on AA and other legacy airlines, mostly because there's a high probability you end up in a middle seat, which can arguably be worse than the non-MCS seat you've come from (especially if the MC seat was an exit row window or aisle). For anyone traveling on business the other benefits of the upgrade (primarily free food) are not particularly valuable because most companies will pay for the food anyway while traveling.

It used to be the case that any MCS seats were available for upgrades at T-24, but that is no longer true; on crowded flights they hold back seats for paid upgrades, rendering the upgrade benefit even less useful.

For me the primary benefit of VX Gold is the 6 hour advantage on purchasing F upgrades, but even with that benefit, on the route I fly (BOS-SFO) I am only able to upgrade about 10% of the time.

On AA you get pretty much guaranteed extra legroom (Main Cabin Extra), which you don't get on VX, with status. You also get miles that are worth considerably more than Elevate points, if wisely used. The rest of the experience is better on VX, IMHO, but there arse pretty good arguments for the legacy airlines as well...