Well, all of the above, but ultimately the goal is more physical comfort. Access to the more comfortable seats in coach. Upgrades, especially on longer flights, would be nice. If I get onto the treadmill of maintaining status I'd probably use bonus miles for upgrades, esp. if I can use them on TATL or longer domestic flights. Though I'm almost afraid to develop a taste for the sweet perks.

As I'm usually in the back of the plane early boarding hasn't been an issue (I move fast when my zone is called and don't need extra storage space). If elites have shorter security lines that would be great. But I'd really like to sit further forward, away from large noisy families, where beverages and "food" are served relatively quickly. Nothing like waiting forever for a tray of slop and then being pinned behind it for two hours.

Being self-employed I'm on my own dime for business as well as pleasure, so economy is important, but after 40 years of flying (scary thought!) I really can't travel like a kid anymore--my body just won't take it.

[Come to think of it, I'm having similar issues in opera house and concert hall--among other things I review classical music. When not on assignment I need to stay current, so I buy the best value seats (usually not the cheapest). But the experience can be seriously degraded in the cheaper seats. While acknowledging that you get what you pay for, I also see some people getting more for their money than others. I'd like to be in the first group.]

Is that any more informative? I'm really trying not to whine too much!