Originally Posted by Keith Flyer Maven

What am I missing here? What is the cost/detriment to AA of the current system that makes some so certain they will invest a reasonable amount of $ to change it? If one knowingly strives for 1mm or 2mm and thus flies a lot and uses related CC and other products, it's great for them. If one has 'hit the mark' and now buys discretionary coach tix on AA as opposed to other airlines because one can upgrade as a LT GLD or LT PLT (also perhaps purchasing extra stickers), it's great for them. If one accidentally obtains LT status through CC use and then is surprised to find they are elite and now flies AA more to reap the benefits, it's great for them. If one accidentally obtains LT status through CC use and doesn't choose to fly AA to exploit their status, it costs the airline nothing. So what's the problem?

I can see how LT status might be perceived to devalue elite status for 'true' (BIS) elites, but what does this cost AA (I don't believe for a minute many elites are complaining about the presence of LT elites) and how could that cost possibly outweigh the benefits that accrue from most of the permutations above? As a LT GLD who is a loooong way from LT PLT, AA definitely benefits from my ambition to get there (as do AA's mileage-friendly partners...), so as the old lady used to say, where's the beef?