These special events auctioned for miles ALWAYS sell at what a disinterested observer would call a high price.
The airline would have to pay the organizers full fare for the winners of the auction, but I presume that a high winning auction price in miles would make that exchange profitable on the books of the airline. Am I missing something?
Beats me.
But from appearances, I would guess that the MegaDo sponsors prefer the airlines to participate by showering their customers with miles and/or status thereby attracting more cash customers?
Or maybe the airlines don't see the value for their typical frequent flyer the way some of us nerds might and so dont want to pay for the seats to do the auction?
Or maybe the sponsors didn't think of that approach.
In any case, I guess we'll see what the value proposition is on July 3...or so.