I consider FF miles, upgrade and hotel points as perks of the job. I take a really nice vacation every other year cashing in tons of FF miles and hotel points. Upgrades are important to me so I stick with one airline. If I had to travel as much as I do and was forced to use discount airlines and whatever hotel is the cheapest then I would be losing a significant perk of my job. Pay would have to be much higher to recoup the cost of having to pay for these great vacations out of my pocket. I definitely take this into consideration in keeping my job. Yes my company will only pay for coach but I am frugal in booking my own tickets so they leave me alone and I get to stay with one airline and upgrade myself with coupons or miles. I won't stay at cheapy hotels. I have a standard of living at home, why should I lower my standard when I am on the road. I try to be frugal with the costs but I stay at reasonably nice places.

You have to make up your own mind if the perks are part of your compensation package or just something you don't consider when getting a job. Status is important to you so you can get the perks then you have to decide if the extra salary is enough to make up for not having the perks.

These are just my thoughts and opinions.