Congrats on making it the right way (BIB), i.e Butt in Bed. Lounges and upgrades would be a lot better if they didn't hand it out like candy through other means.

But what is your point otherwise? If you are paying for it personally and not for your own business reasons, contrats again as you must be well off $$ and have time for travelling - color me jealous.

I think the real issue is earning it BIB style, not whom pays. I sacrificed and missed out on a lot of family & life & wear plus tear traveling for 30 years earning LTP BIB because of my corporate job. Now when I need to travel for personal reasons, the lounges and upgrades have turned to crap...