Originally Posted by XStAnt
I have to say his "experiment" regarding seat availability was not a valid test for elite benefits. I don't know any FF program that gives elites a different choice of seats than a non-elite flyer. Airlines want to sell seats and if they have one available they'll sell it to anyone. Hasn't that always been the case?
The other points about lack of upgrades, surcharges for awards, etc are valid points, but I felt his experiment about seat availability was odd.
The only reason (because I hardly got upgrades) I liked being Gold on AA was to get the exit row. I could usually count on getting a good seat there - and I'm talking the second row that does recline. Now that I lost my gold status, there's nothing I can do to get that exit seat other than beg at the gate. They won't give it to me over the phone.