One thing they're getting is quite a few people who fly only international and qualify for CP after only a few trips (it took me four GIG-CLT-GIG) but never use the upgrades because they pay for Envoy. I personally know a half dozen who've done that in the last few months, not just me. We all, I suspect, will use the miles for *A awards and will probably never actually seek an upgrade on US.

It may not end out being as bad for all of you as you're imagining.