True, but my point is that they could find a way to reward revenue within their existing systems and structure. Say, a new tier that is *only* reachable with EQP. Some current ExPlats would love it; some would hate it. By doing this and spinning it as a "new feature", they can start to go down this path without winding up on the front page of the Wall Street Journal as they do it.

All I'm saying is that there are ways for them to get where they want to go without blowing up the entire legacy FFP structure. I have to think there's *some* value in keeping the mileage-based aspirational awards in the system. After all, they still have their capacity controls in place. The J/F seats they actually have a good chance of selling aren't available as awards unless I want to spend an insanely high number of miles.

Perhaps just wishful thinking on my part...an FFP would become a lot less interesting and valuable to me if it was just about clearing out my account the minute my existing credits are greater than the cost of the next flight I plan to book.