http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080910/nyw041.html?.v=101

the comp upgrades are HUGE- if all the biz seats aren't sold out with the $50+ upgrades. time will tell how big of a beneift this is (and how many other elites are out there competing for these seats...)

Comp Upgrades are great...but the last three flights I've been on were full in front...so not sure how great a benefit that will turn out to be.

What I would have preferred to see also added is the ability for elites to upgrade a non Y or B fare at some time earlier than check-in....as the 24 hour upgrade (with cash) benefit has been eliminated as you are now competing with everyone else for available upgrade space at check in on-line at the 24 hour window.

That said, I think the Elite line is a nice addition.

The Elite line has been there for a while now, I'd say at least a month and a half. I noticed it a while back when logging onto my account. It will be interesting to see how the upgrades at the gate play out -- I'm usually not willing to risk it and upgrade as soon as I can. I've been on atleast 50 flights on FL this year, none of which have been in coach (either Business class bought, immediate upgrade, or upgrade with cash/credits).

However, with FL's latest cutbacks I may not be flying them as much, atleast to the west coast. ATL-SAN has been severely cut back, so much that it means I can get out to SAN from DAY in the morning, but their one and only return flight SAN-ATL arrives after 9pm, which is also after the last flight back to DAY. So, I'd have to get a flight in the morning which means an overnight stay, not good. I've got trips to SAN and SJC in the next two weeks and I've decided to use DL instead (I know Frontier goes to SJC, but surprisingly DL was cheaper out of CVG).

EDIT: forgot to add, I like the status recognition on Frontier -- I've always hated that they are partners but did not acknowledge the other airline's elite program.

So Airtran First Class will allways be full now with comp upgrades..Doesnt sound like Airtran employees wil be getting many upgrades anymore..@:-)

Uh... like every other airline in the country.

This is certainly a good move but I don't know how much A+ Elite flyers will be able to benefit from it, at least on the routes I frequent. I've always made a point to show my elite card when boarding and then ask if there were any seats remaining up front for an "unofficial" comp upgrade. Up until a few months ago, this worked about 75% of the time.

Then, once FL started selling upgrades as a part of the online check-in process, the answer soon became "sorry, Business Class is full" almost 100% of the time. Good for FL, bad for those of us not willing to shell out the $49!

Dang, you mean my Ellitedom will actually expire in 2009 now?! :-( Oh well...FL doesn't make much sense for me with them eliminating most of the direct NY flights...

Where did it say that?
Anyways, ^ to FL for these long-awaited changes!

The A+ program is definitely moving in the right direction. While they will only upgrade within the 40 minute window, it's a start in the right direction. Would love to see them move to 24 hours in advance but I'll take the 40 minutes.

Are there any figures on the number of lifetime elites?

I was thinking along those lines. Does Airtran have different levels of Elite, or is it all one group?

Just the one level at this time.

they also will upgrade if you are already traveling on a redeemed reward ticket. That is huge!

Is this confirmed?

Last week, I flew on a bump voucher ticket and was able to upgrade without any problems. So it does look like free tickets are still upgradeable for elites.^