Thanks again guys for more responses.

How would I price the economy fare that is open to upgrades and the miles needed? I dont believe I have priced it that way before as it seems better just to use straight miles (unless chasing the EQMs?)

I do not have status and although I usually favor AA, I am a free agent. So no free upgrade chances for me and if I had the status I am the type that likes to know well ahead so I would probably buy it anyways. I fly about once a month or so and if I can do a 2 hour non stop flight for the day I usually suck it up and just fly economy and have recently become a fan of Spirit "big front seat" (4 flights so not much exp. but seemed to work well). Anything more then that I usually just pay for F. I may start flying much more for business but that is still un-determined and if it came down to it at the end of the year I'm sure I could make time to do this same run again for a weekend trip and pay for it if I need the spend/miles to make status.