Originally Posted by
Wellington
It's cool how we are assuming these high value customers even care about miles. If I have the money to be a high value guy, I don't want to deal with award availability and other restrictions.
They definitely care, since they never pay out of pocket for anything. Airfares are paid by their company and then, when it's time to go on vacation and fly the entire family somewhere far away, they cash in their miles. Nice perk which will be made much easier by the absence of mileage runners gaming the system.
The only way around it is now going to be massive credit card spend to accrue points/miles. My neighbor, for example, spends $1M a year through his SPG business card and flies to Asia once per year with the entire family (5 ppl) for free.
Unfortunately, for the rank-and-file leisure travelers, you're screwed. Get used to your new position -- at the bottom!