Jaws...don't feel bad. I am infinite elite, but it took me an extra year because one of my 5 was during the Eastern strike, and I made the gold that year by "buying up" the last few thousand miles needed with banked miles from my account. so they wouldn't allow that year, and recycled me. I never forgot that. It was incredibly petty. that's why I switched to US. following the uproar at CO with reduced elite benefits a few years ago, the new management promised the restoration of these. on paper, they exist again, but CO is extremely agressive in the marketing of full fare tix, which as you know, provide an automatic upgrade. it worked, and their full fare business is strong. as a result, while we theoretically have our upgrade benefits, go try and use them. they have every right to make money, but so do we have the right to find other carriers who give the high mile flyer a better shot at seat inventory. as for "infinite gold", what do you bet that goes away once the onepass program merges with NW!