I can’t see the change having a big impact on me—but I’m just one of many. I’ve been buying a lot of B fares over the past year or so. I haven’t found them overly expensive. Some upgrade instantly on ticketing (about 20 to 25%); in other flights I’m usually first and sometimes second on the upgrade list. I usually buy tickets a week or two before flying, so (ceteris paribus) if other elites can’t mop up first class seats early in the process, it only helps me. My read on this change is clearly selfish, but there you go.