I'm elite on Delta (Gold), and have been elite on Delta, United and/or Alaska for about 15 years.

Looking over my last 4 airline bookings (one trip I didn't take, and one is coming up this week), I'm seeing less and less value in having an elite level -- mainly because of the recent advent of discount first class and business class fares.

SFO-VIE: Booked AF discount business class fare, a few hundred dollars more than the upgradable fare (except, upgrades are hard to get on this route). Confirmed business class seats, lounge access -- my Delta status didn't matter.

SJC-LAS: On AA -- I flew coach, but checked later and found First Class was just a small amount more. I could have flown up front, got priority boarding and the security line bypass at LAS -- all without being elite on AA.

LAS-DCA: Checked out the DL "A" (discount business class) fare, going through ATL -- very competitve with coach. My trip was cancelled, however.

SJC-PHX: Booked on America West. They only had a middle seat in coach, so I upgraded to F for about $100 each way. I guess an elite would get it for free... but I just jumped ahead of them!

I realize this isn't on every route, and I'm more motivated by sitting in front than by free tickets (and I don't mind dipping into my own pocked for a reasonably priced upgrade)...but is anyone else noticing this? I feel no urge to try for a higher elite level (even though, ironically, double MQM's on DL will get me there twice as quick at this rate), since it seems F or C are always within reach on most airlines.