How much advance notice did United give its frequent flyers when it started giving SWUs for the 1K members? I don't think that it was a year in advance. Should airlines also have a one year wait before they start increasing benefits?

While I am all for early disclosure, I find it unrealistic for us to expect that the airlines would have a 1 year freeze on *all* of their policies.

I fail to see why DOT/DOJ etc. should intervene in a situation where say Continental airline gives an auto upgrade to its elite members instead of requiring them to phone in to get the upgrade.