Before FFPs we flew the airlines without regard to miles or points. During regulated travel when prices were set by length of the trip it was service and amenities that set one airline apart from another. Or perhaps one carrier had the toehold in your market.

Then came FFPs and the entire award/reward mentality took off like a posphorous fire. Now we expect points, miles, widgets, and credits for everything we do, whether or not it is an airline program or cents of for gasoline based upon the amount you spend at the grocery store.

I suspect the programs are here to stay. Price may be a factor in the entire equation but it is often not the driving force. When one is elite with a particular program the perceived benefits play a role in the choice. I like the ability to choose my seats and board the aircraft early. Without UGs I would still consider this a benefit. OMA doesn't have priority security lines but most everyplace else does. The ability to bypass the stampede during heavy traffic times is a benefit. The feeding frenzy to charge for checked bags and other nuisance fees and my ability to avoid those charges is a benefit. NW gives comp UGs and while I would miss them if they went away it wouldn't be a factor that would push me to another carrier (yet).

US can cut out the bonus miles for elites. I don't fly them and as long as it doesn't spill over I don't care. UA can eliminate the 500-mile minimum. I don't fly them and as long as it doesn't spill over I don't care. It's a given that WP is going away so I have the wait-and-see attitude of what shakes out. I'm not going to knee-jerk, but will re-evaluate if the finished product doesn't serve my needs. I left DL years ago for reasons other than price. I wouldn't hesitate to do so again.

In many markets prices are competetive so, just like during the days of regulated airline travel, it is the service and amenities that sets carriers apart. The only way FFPs would go away would be for all of the airlines to drop them. I really don't see that happening.

The only current trend that I find alarming is the drive to add fees to redeem FF awards. I think the time has come for our elected officials to look at providing the types of consumer protections that are in place for credit cards and other products. The airline industry is doing it to themselves. The catch-all phrase that they reserve the right to change the program at any time is becoming a rallying point that consumers can band together against in revolt. I think it needs to become as weak as a hotel making a blanket statement that they are not responsible for damages when you are in their care. They make those statements but they have no legal standing. They are meant to deter the average person from filing suit. The smart person sees through this and a decent lawyer pokes holes in it with the standard of reasonable care.

I don't see how the contract is any different with FFPs than any other purchase. Imagine if your mortgage lender arbitrarily told you that they were doubling your monthly escrow just because they felt like it. Of course you wouldn't stand for that. At the time of the purchase you have offer, acceptance, and consideration when you buy the ticket and the airline accepts your money and puts you on the flight. That should cement the benefits in place at that time for FFPs. But who am I to think that the legal atmosphere in this country, with politicians in the hip pocket of big money, is operated on a premise of common sense?