What definition is that? The frequent flyer programs are marketing programs to encourage your "loyalty" to select their airline over others. It is there to sell tickets, plain and simple.

The OP has been recognized for his past business by being granted annual platinum status and I certainly don't begrudge that. I'm closing in on my 2MM level and will be thankful for my annual GM status (until they pull the rug with some future "enhancement" )

What the OP doesn't realize is that this is not the "old Delta" with lavish perks, Flying Colonels, Royal Medallions etc. I miss it too as I was the beneficiary of companion upgrades from coworkers who were at that level 20 years ago - we had several people in our office back then that were top frequent flyers in DLs program. I also remember the 1000 mile minimum per segment, 1000 mile hotel/car rental bonuses and double bonus for F whether paid for or upgraded. All those miles counted towards MM status back then and a frequent traveler who worked the system could get MM relatively easily compared to today's MQM system. As a point of reference, I have well over 4.5MM program miles.

The realities of the business today do not support those kinds of perks. Where full Y fares for midweek travel were common when the OP was flying now finds LUT fares the norm as the legacies now comptete with LCCs who are fully entrenched in the domestic market. The perks have to be adjusted to match the revenue.