FF programs are to some like crack and booze is to others: addictive and very difficult to drop. But very good marketing tool for the airlines, as confirmed by these forums and many others. Airline attitude: if it ain't broke, don't fix it, just squeeze a bit more from it as load factors permit. And really, nothing we say on these forums is going to make an iota of difference, other than provide some relief for writers; airlines are in fat city and happy as fat cats these days. For customers-members, it's all lagniappe, or, if one prefers a more theological base, grace, meaning unmerited goodness bestowed upon us. And we can always walk away from the programs if we really are unhappy with them.



PS: There was a time, before 1982, I think, when the F class cabin was filled with full fare F passengers. No sticker upgrades, no discount fare passengers, just passengers who paid for a F class ticket. That was nice, pleasant, cool.