If anybody has $30,000 in unused tickets that are going to be expiring, oir have expired, then you have answered the question, there is no need for the airlines to give miles on them.

I believe that there are many people who would buy a ticket and not fly to get the miles to maintain their status, just as if you go into any of the hotel forums there are people booking rooms at places they will never spend the night, sometimes just checking in and going back home ten minutes later.