I think the 2009 program details should have been announced at the beginning of 2008. This would allow people to decide whether they want to post their miles on AP or other programs.

Now they don't announce the details until everybody has already committed to AP. They could strip as many important benefits from next year's program as they wish with little repercussion.

For example, they removed B and H fares from the eligible fares of SWU in the 2008 program. But if they announced that at the beginning of 2007, it would be fairer as some of the Es or SEs might opt to put their miles somewhere else.

Now all of us who have collected enough miles to be SE, E, or P in 2009 would be at the mercy of AP or AC to give us the same benefits as in 2008.