FF programs as we know them will have changed. The patterns seem to indicate that the flying portion of RDM/EQM accrual is going down, while the portion of RDM/EQM via commerce is going up.

How do you get them? How do you use them?

Perhaps the thread title should be "More Negative Flight Mileage Change Coming?". If the CC/hotel/etc promotions are any indication, RDMs/EQMs aren't going anywhere.

Brand loyalty and rewards programs have an interesting 5-10 years ahead of them. There will be lots of changes, for the airlines, for the hotel chains... for the grocery stores. FT/FW/SD will just find the most out of balance, and those that benefit the most the consumer side of the relationship. With as many airlines as there are, one of them is going to offer more-for-less, in one way or another, and the others will find some way to follow (or not follow).