I am a first-time Silver Elite who barely remembers life before EUA. So far I have been lucky enough to have upgraded pretty much every segment, but this morning I am facing ATL-EWR in 16E with ITN showing A0 F0 and the flight booked to 10/106 over 10/94.

I have been pro-EUA until now, but ITN was showing A3 F2 at 1155pm and the upgrade was mine for the asking under the old system. I don't mind being beaten out by even a "lazy Platinum" because after all, he is still a platinum and I am but a lowly silver, but when I get beaten out by the "lazy Silver", it annoys the hell out of me.

Most of my travel is for personal reasons or on business for my own startup company, so cost is a definite issue in my travel. 61 of my 78 segments this year are on CO/NW however - and that's pretty darn loyal for a customer living in ATL. I choose CO/NW primarily because of the superior Elite program perks for lower and mid-tier fliers, especially in comparison to DL. I will continue to fly them, but I am disturbed that they are beginning to follow DL's lead by taking perks away (which is what EUA is essentially doing in an indirect way) under the guise of enhancements.

Maybe I'm wrong though. Maybe I've subscribed to too many conspiracy theories. But the prospect of 2hrs in 16E doesn't help either....

[This message has been edited by B747-437B (edited 12-17-2000).]