What makes you think we can't have both? I still see "All customers booking at continental.com have the opportunity to request 100% refund within 24 hours of ticketing." In fact, didn't that benefit used to apply solely to Logged-in OnePass members? Now it says "all" customers. ^ I wouldn't even mind if elites were given free holds; what I object to is an elite benefit that cannot be purchased by a non-elite. Thankfully, such elite-only business absurdities are going the way of the dodo.
RNE, adding a case in point, "I recently purchased E+ to and from OGG for a song!" ^
Keeping both would be beautiful, indeed. For a long time I have been hoping that the geniuses at Smith Street (now Michigan Avenue) find ways to monetize by adding value instead of removing it.
If they keep the free 24-hour change, this is perfect example of that...