With the decline of service across the industry, sure the upper levels have lost some of the luster. When My Dad hit 1K in the early 90's it was really a big deal. The tin of cookies showed up at the house along with gifts of "rhapsody in blue" cd's and every year a new leather travel bag at Christmas time. I was a Northworst flyer at the time and switched to UA because of the respect and service the old man got when he traveled I remember calling UA Res to find him because of a family emergancy and the when the agent looked up his profile said that there should be a framed photo of him in ORD's RCC. 1k's used to upgraded to an available F class seat with no questions asked, now employees and their families go up there before a 1k is asked (if even asked). I think I was last asked to go up front two years ago coming back from HNL because they need the coach seat for a family.

It's still arguably the best US mileage program and the perks that are left are worth it to me and several others. Check out the FT thread on America West customers calling us prima donnas (jealous ). Anytime you allow purchase of your upper levels, you are increase the amount of people at that level and in this cost sensitive environment, you have to cut back on some of the perks.

Judging by the interest shown in this thread, we'll all keep flying and renewing our status.