Wow..all the folks jumping and bailing..sad to see it happen but for selfish reasons the less elite members the more upgrades for me!! I think that looking at NW's changes in equipment to both Europe and Asia and some drastic decreases in the size of those business classes that the increase in mileage doesn't really surprise me much. Why give the seats away when you can sell them and make money on them?? NW still, IMO, has the best domestic upgrade policy and will continue to in 2005. They kept EQMs at 100% which I love since all of my travel is done on my dime so I can possible keep my status. Airlines are really in some financial binds right now and maybe next year if things turn for the better and costs continue to be driven down, mileage requirements may come down. I won't be at all surprised to see other airlines follow suit and increase their mileage requirements as well. Don't get me wrong, I am disappointed that any freebie tickets I may want to use may go up in mileage costs, I can live with it. They kept the most important things to me in place for 2005 so I will enjoy my newly received Gold Elite Status and hope to improve on my 87% success rate as a Silver and continue to support the redtail!!!

Jer