Thus far I was a very loyal LH customer accruing approx. 130k miles almost exclusively on European Y shorthaul flights. To achieve this mileage, approx. 69 flights per year were required. At an average cost of around EUR 450 each this implied LH revenue of EUR 31 k. If LH manages to run its operations at a loss at these price levels, it may want to reconsider its efficiency.

Am I now happy that they are reducing mileage credit, thus eliminating the possibility to achieve SEN status and privileges like fast lane and lounge access? Not quite. Am I now happy that they increased their YQ charges on mileage redemptions while having increased the mileage required for redemptions? Not quite.

If LH believes my previous purchases were transactional and not influenced by loyalty and thus believes more transactional behaviour by itself is called for, so be it. I just see price levels at its competitor BA for my main routes as being approx. 15% lower on average. I can be a very loyal customer if I am being provided with the right product. Thus far LH had a few things going for it that justified spending approx. 15% more. They are eliminating these factors quite efficiently - and thus my loyalty.