[cairns]

It makes a huge difference if you're flying a lot. If you aren't who cares- buy first at a discount or sit in cattle class.

I was a UA 100Ker for many years. If I were a little short I would make a mileage run or two (usually to Europe). Now I have no status and sit in the back like everyone else- but I am using the last of my miles to go to Bangkok sitting up front this Winter.

The trouble is if you're flying that much it really eats into your life. The wife and I had problems; I got sick of it (even sitting up front gets old), you were usually trying to get work done on the plane and you were always semi jet lagged (and I tried every trick in the book). The perks helped and I love to travel but unless I'm doing it for fun I try to stay off airplanes as much as I can now. TSA sure hasn't helped and they don't serve caviar anymore. The domestic first meals are what you used to get in coach and while the international food is better it's the flat bed that really matters IMO.