For the last few years, I've used my miles to upgrade from coach to 1st class. It takes 10,000 miles for each upgrade, and this worked great for me since I'd rather fly in 1st class than get a free ticket with my miles.

On one of my flights last year, I called to upgrade using miles and I was told that I couldn't do so since my ticket was a "value fare". I was also told that the old policy was changed because MVP-Gold members were complaining that they were not getting their free, complimentary upgrades because people like me were using their miles for upgrade.

This is really upsetting to me, since I never fly enough to become MVP-Gold. Additionally, I don't have any control over what fare ticket is purchase for me since it's all done through my company's travel agent. Sure, I can be placed on a waiting list for 1st class (along with the MVP-Gold members), but that just doesn't seem fair to me.

I hope they change this policy soon, as I'll have to look at the other airline programs to find something that better suits my needs.

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