Plain and simple, FF benefits have been on the decline over the last few years and that trend shows no signs of letting up. The decline has been such that I am seriously beginning to wonder if a cost/benefit analysis might reveal that I am better off always flying the carrier with the cheapest fare on a particular route rather than paying more on a preferred carrier in order to accumulate miles. Sure, you may lose out on upgrades, but then again, first class is no longer what it used to be.