I first earned MVP at the very end of 2005, and MVPG mid-06, so this is all fairly new to me. I hadn't done any award travel on AS till this year, when I've made 3 SEA-OAK RTs to help my boyfriend after surgery, using miles since they were all last-minute trips that required lots of flexibility for change w/o worrying about fare differentials.

Anyway, the last two times I've returned from OAK, I've been pleasantly surprised to get upgraded. First time was on a nearly empty flight, when the gate agent looked at my boarding pass as I was getting on and said "Don't you want to wait to see if you get upgraded?" I protested that I was on an award ticket and didn't expect one, but he said "Wait anyway, she probably won't notice" (referring to his colleague working the desk). Got the upgrade.

Last night, I checked my bags at the ticket counter, and asked if anyone was sitting in the middle seat next to me. Agent said "Let me look," then said "Actually I have some first class seats open, let me get you the upgrade since you're gold." This time I just kept my mouth shut and said "Thank you!"

Just curious how common this is for Golds...