Originally Posted by
hazelrah
^
Hear, Hear. As a lowly Gold the upgrade percentages are even more dismal.
I received more EUA upgrades, more reliably, as a silver elite 3 years ago than in the current year as a Gold.
After two years as Plat ('03-'04) and a couple more as Gold I have definitely seen a change in my UG % in the last year or so. I got spoiled with a % in the 90s until the "Double EQM Promo" effect settled in. Things never improved - actually they degraded - and now I'm in the low 20s as a GE so far this year.
With the UG % figuratively "in the toilet" I'm willing to spend more time on DL and CO as partners, still earning EQMs and base miles since I no longer figure (read: count on) UGs into the equation. I've gotten used to row 5 and exits, or as a backup - a standard aisle - on my flights these days. Any UGs are a pleasant surprise, but I am no longer basing my flight decisions (read: exclusive NWA metal) on them due to repeated UG disappointment.
I'll still try to fly with SkyTeam exclusively, but not NWA - except for using my WP account for mileage earning.