No. I'll take Gary's side here.

For the past couple of years, during the absorption of AirTran, Southwest had BOTH dynamic pricing and a semi-secret classic fixed rate redemption. The latter required a "two step" move of points from Southwest to AirTran and back. Sadly, this is no longer possible.

At the time I recommended to Southwest that they find a way to continue to offer flat rate, capacity controlled redemption. Flat rate redemption fills empty seats for last minute redemption. Points redemption pricing for last minute flights on Southwest is so high that it's literally cheaper to redeem for gift cards and just buy the ticket for cash. That's lose-lose, because it costs you more money and it costs Southwest more money.

The airline that openly offers both dynamic "any seat" redemption and classic fixed rate redemption will in my opinion win the FF program competition. Offering the choice should satisfy everyone. On Southwest I have found it reassuring that when a flat rate seat is not available (using one of my banked Standard Awards) I can often use a somewhat higher value of points for a fare-based redemption.