As I am new to the boards and haven't developed what I percieve as the requisite number of friends to post a contrary opinion, I shall, nevertheless, speak as I find.

I can understand that some elite status members are proud of their gold,platinum, diamond, or whatever level and resent (to some extent) others attaining status through prmotions. But isn't a reality check needed?

How many gained 100K from actually flying 100k miles in a calendar year on tickets paid for out of their own bank accounts? How many million members have attained that level without bonus miles from Amex or other cards? How many stayed 75 nights at a Marriott and ACTUALLY paid for it themselves? Then, how many traveled through business and the client actually paid after all expense accounts & reciepts were submitted?

I suggest that ONLY those individuals paying full fare coach, business & first class with their own money (not one dime reimbursed by anyone else) and those who payed the rack rate at preferred hotels out of their own pocket should have anything to complain about.

I understand that constant travel for work is grueling and those passengers deserve the perks their COMPANIES or CLIENTS are paying for. However, the condesention to others using promo codes is a bit absurd.

I worked for the US government and no matter how many flights I took, 1) I had to fly coach or pay the difference in the government rate 2) the FF miles were the property of the US government & they were VERY strict about making sure they got the miles and not employees.

Now, I have EARNED elite status on a few airlines for one reason only. I like to fly & I pay the price. Sure, I will take advantage of mileage runs (doing one to ZRH this weekend) and I will accept compensation for not boarding & then use the vochers to offset the cost future travel. I'll also do the surveys & take advantage of other crumbs the airlines pass out at times. But, I get the bulk of my miles the old fashioned way, I pay for the tickets.

As for the Hilton Gold deal, I took advantage of it and I am glad someone on the board made it public. But, Hilton isn't loosing a dime. Why? Because when I and other went to the website to sign up, we also surfed for rates, packages, and the like. As a result, I am taking advantage of the Egypt 7 night special. (I did the math & it really is a great deal) I'm also booked at a domestic location 5 nights next week. So, that's 12 nights off the bat, Hilton will get from me that they otherwise would not have if I hadn't gone to the site & signed up. (I would've been shacked up a Marriott instead) Moreover, I wasn't aware of Hilton's double dipping plan until I went to the site. Now, they have one new loyal customer for that very reason.

I am well aware that an all out campaign to vanquish me from the boards may arise after some read this. Or that future comments I post may be subject to nasty responses & questions left unanswered. Perhaps not. I, however, feel there is truth in my statments and just wanted to share those thoughts.

As an aside to the references to low revenue flyers, there is a reason coach seats more than business or first. Perhaps there's no way of truly knowing the shear numbers of those flying on upgrade (either requested or comp)and not at the APEX fare. But, I wager to guess that the former outways the later by degrees.