While there are certainly disgustingly rude first class and elite travelers, as described above and as I have also seen myself, let's not get carried away assuming this trait is limited to or even more prominent in these groups, compared with non-elite coach travelers. The biggest reason I try and fly up front whenever possible is because I find the people up front generally MORE polite and courteous, e.g., they are less rowdy, less likely to put smelly feet up on the back of your seat or let their kids kick it, and less likely to be sloppy in the bathrooms.

And as for Americans getting more impolite, they may be getting ruder on an objective scale, but relative to some other airline travelers, e.g., from Asia or some third world countries, I'm not so sure Americans are worse. Ever see a boarding scene on a wide-body flight headed for China, where it seems everyone feels they have to instantly crowd around the gate to press on board even though only special needs and first class have been called? Or how about the crowds in some Mexican cities, where even the concept of a "line" appears to be a foreign concept?

To me, the key benefit of accruing miles is to help get away from a lot of the rudeness and crudeness often (though not always) seen in coach.