All my flying is on my own $. I like doing MR's but I sure won't be doing international ones if I can't upgrade with miles. Why would I pay an extra $500 for a cheap MR to LGW? I was going to do NRT when they had a cheap fare but I'm not flying to NRT in coach. AA is not all that convenient for me but I've been flying them because of elite status and upgrade policy. I'll have to rethink all that. How many others will do fewer MR because it's no longer worth it?