First time for me was flying DEN-ORD. I purchased those E-500’s as a lowly silver for $200. Used two for the trip and at first was disappointed, as I had been upgraded to first, but at check in was handed a business class seat. I thought I had been downgraded in the moment. Sat upstairs on a 747-400, had a steak on the 2hr flight. Best flight ever and hooked me on status and how I found FT. Obviously today is a letdown across the board, but happy to have experienced years of travel when it was good.