As a silver NW Elite, flying from DCA most of the time... occasionally BWI, I was/am still 100% for the year. Now I'm gold, so don't have to worry as much. Since NW had the auto-up for plats and gold at the beginning of the year, the only people silvers were/are fighting now are other silvers. Although I always check ITN to see my chances for an upgrade and I still call and check on my upgrades after midnight, if they havnt gone through the cust. service agents usually puts them through for me. I still think NW and CO have a great program, remember unlike UA you get upgrades for FREE! No certificates, don't have to fly 10K miles to get certs, no buying certs, etc. Remember that fact....