Originally Posted by Mike Rivers

So, one way or the other, it's about the money. As a retired occasional flyer, I pay less for my infrequent flights than I (rather, whoever was sending me out) paid for my frequent flights when I was working. Still, I found that when I used my miles to upgrade a full fare (paid by my employer) to first class, I wasn't treated quite the same as other passengers in 1st. On a flight with a meal, for example, I'd be among the last to be asked what I wanted to eat, and often they were out of my first choice.