Originally Posted by
Jazzop
Also, how about the impact on the airline's willingness to perform status matches in the first place? When people abuse systems, the systems get changed or eliminated.
I believe loyalty programs should reward loyalty. Status matches for flying with a different carrier reward treachery. Whether you are status matching the right way or the fraudulent way, you're getting unearned status imho.
OP - whether your concern for your friend stems from ethical or legal concerns, I wouldn't worry about it too much.