When I look at my list of games waiting for moves, it no longer shows who is on-line.  Is this now an upgrade feature with a paid account?

The online status icon should show whether you are a basic or premium member. However, the online status may not always be 100% accurate and up to date because of cacheing. So the online status icon should be relatively accurate most of the time.

That is strange, I don't ever see the little tower with the radio signals beside my name or the people I am playing turn-based chess against. 

Must be your computer. I always see who is on line.