>>>>>I agree with the fact that gate agents should have the right to use his/her discretion for the final determination of the gate upgrade seats.

But don't they then get the opportunity to get sentimental, or enjoy playing god, or get succumbed by charm? Then we are back to everybody sidling up to the GA with smarmy smiles, and those who didn't clean the parsley out of their teeth are the ones who don't get the upgrade--even though they have higher status. It takes determination, inconvenience, and often significant cost to follow the rules to earn status--why should it go out the window if a person is somehow less appealing to a gate agent?