Red,

This may sound crazy (because it is), but my wife likes it when we get things "free" or on "sale". So, my hope was, rather than argue about why I prefer to just pay for 1st to go to places that are close (BUR, PSP, STS, etc) I could make my life easier by just getting us status.

Instead, I think I will just go back to buying 1st and just know that once we get to the airport she will again agree that 1st was a much better choice.