There is a clear distinction that needs to be made before this thread progresses any futher:
The only way (on Northwest, anyhow) to get upgrade awards (i.e. upgrade an already purchased revenue ticket) is if your revenue ticket is in B/Y class. These upgrades are really only worth it on longish international journeys. However, international B/Y fare tickets tend to be very expensive (usually
at least double whatever discounted economy is, although often times
several multiples more).
As a Platinum elite, I earned my status and built up my cache flying discounted economy. I've never purchased Y/B tickets and have no real expectation to do so (unless a massive fare sale, mistake fare, or someone else pays for my trip). Since that is the case, using my miles to fly a premium class is usually quite expensive out-of-pocket.
If you fly a lot on someone else's dime, or your own dime for that matter, and are paying what it costs to fly Y/B class, then perhaps upgrades are worth it. Otherwise, spend the miles on trips rather than upgrades. Unless you've already been to every corner in the world or have no interest in going somewhere new, take advantage of the fact that you've got a form of currency that will cost you next to nothing to visit almost anywhere on Earth. Upgrades are nice, but once you get to the destination, the value is lost. If you use the miles to go somewhere you weren't already planning, you get the flight and the memories/experiences created by a new trip. ^ Although, there is one biz-class award I might consider, someday: the RTW in biz for 220k is not a very bad deal. Then again, for 120k, I know of a way to get nearly around the world and back, in biz class no less, and visit 4 continents in the process. So . . . there's always a little more you can squeeze.
Originally Posted by EXLEFTSEAT
SCHMUTZIG : I have adopted you as sort of a guiding light in my traverses through this difficult environment and appreciate your advice. Maybe ( or may I say : hopefully ) one of these days I will have the knowledge you guys display on a daily basis.
I know it's short notice, but next weekend in Ann Arbor, MI (DTW), there is a FlyerTalk DO. One of the events there will be a Mileage Run seminar where we'll talk about all things earning revenue miles. But part of the discussion is likely to include strategies for redeeming miles. If you've got nothing else to do that weekend and it wouldn't be much of a burden to go, maybe you want to consider attending. Just a thought I'd pass along.