Thanks for the insight, RichLond. I agree that top-tier status is always better than mid-tier. There's little question about that. But what I am getting at is how much more is it worth? Is two mid-tiers better than one top-tier, or the other way around?

I also agree about how when floodgates open, benefits decline. And/or treatment from staff. US Airways Chairmans Pref (top-tier) had to give up some benefits when they started allowing segment qualification (of which US has a lot of, as you can imagine). Loss of US Airways Club access is one off the top of my head.

More comments, please.

BJ